Maxwell Fundi, a first-year student in the International Master's Degree Programme in Information Technology (IMPIT) at UEF, brings a unique blend of experience in IT and education. "Having been the co-founder of , an innovative EdTech company headquartered in Kenya, part of my role included supporting the use of technology in education," he explains.
His decision to apply to UEF was eventually inspired by his volunteer work with the African Network for Learning Analytics Research (ANLAR), where he discovered UEF’s Technologies for Learning and Development research group through one of the former professors at UEF, Professor Solomon Oyelere. "Their research aligned with my passion for using technology, especially emerging tools like AI in education," he shares. With a background in IT and a postgraduate diploma in education, Maxwell saw UEF’s Master's degree programme as the perfect fit to deepen his expertise.
Learning, support, and life in Finland
Maxwell has found the academic experience at UEF both flexible and practical. "I have especially enjoyed the autonomy in planning my studies to best suit my interests," he says. Working on real-world projects has helped him build valuable skills, and he appreciates the supportive faculty: "All systems seem to work to support student success."
His time in Finland has been filled with memorable moments, from a warm welcome on his first day to receiving a scholarship. "Coming from Kenya, being recognized in this way strengthened my motivation to make a lasting impact." He’s also embraced Finnish culture, including the sauna tradition.
However, adjusting to life in Finland wasn’t without challenges. "I found the long winters, limited daylight, and language barriers quite tough," he admits. But with support and determination, he began learning Finnish and found Joensuu to be a peaceful, student-friendly city with a strong sense of community.
I want to foster collaborations between the Global North and Global South to drive educational transformation through emerging technologies like AI.
Maxwell Fundi
Student of Information Technology
Shaping the future of education in Africa
Maxwell’s studies have also connected him with industry through collaborations with companies like and . "We had insightful and practical sessions with their teams during our robotics courses," he says. The university's traineeship programmes have further enriched his experience by offering exposure to Finnish work culture.
Looking to the future, Maxwell plans to pursue a PhD focused on contextualizing digital learning for African settings. "I want to foster collaborations between the Global North and Global South to drive educational transformation through emerging technologies like AI." He hopes to return to Edutab Africa with new skills and insights to support its mission of transforming education through technology.
"Coming to Finland for my master’s degree was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made," Maxwell reflects. "The quality of education has been excellent, well-structured, practical, and deeply impactful both academically and personally."
