APHRC Brings NoCode Data Science Training to KIU

KIU, Main Campus - This week, from Monday, 9^th March to Friday, 13th March, 2026, the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) is running an intensive training at Kampala International University (KIU) Main Campus on the use of NoCode data analysis platforms.

Led by Dr. Agnes Kiragga, Head of the Data Science Program and Research Scientist at APHRC, the program, is part of a broader effort to democratize artificial intelligence and empower African researchers with modern tools.

The training builds on a January 2026 visit, when APHRC met with KIU’s Vice Chancellor and senior staff to explore collaboration opportunities. During that meeting, APHRC introduced its Data Science Without Borders (DSWB) initiative and showcased internally developed NoCode platforms designed to accelerate research output.

Speaking on Day 3 of the training, Dr. Kiragga emphasized the importance of making data science accessible:

“Researchers often have valuable datasets but get stuck because they do not know how to code. They end up chasing statisticians, waiting for analyses, and delaying publications. With NoCode, they can simply upload their data, run analyses, and even generate a draft manuscript. It’s a game changer for universities like KIU that want to increase their research products and visibility.”

The NoCode platform allows lecturers, PhD students, and researchers to analyze data independently, bridging the gap between raw data and publishable research.

Participants at KIU have welcomed the initiative enthusiastically. Engr. Assoc. Prof. Ibrahim Sani Madugu, Director of ICT, noted how transformative the tool is for academics:

“This training is very timely. Unlike data scientists who know coding, many professors and researchers lack coding skills and often struggle to analyze their data. The NoCode data analysis tool is truly a sigh of relief—it empowers us to work independently and move faster toward publication.”

Emulating APHRC’s vision, KIU’s intention is to empower lecturers, researchers and PhD students to own their data, use it responsibly, and benefit fully from it by removing barriers like coding.

Already in use at institutions such as USIU-Africa in Kenya, the platform has proven effective internally at APHRC, which publishes around 200 papers annually as revealed by Dr. Kiragga.

Throughout the week, senior data scientists from APHRC will guide KIU staff and students at the Main Campus through the fundamentals of data science, the models powering the NoCode platform, and their practical applications. In the following week, the team will extend the training to staff and students at the KIU Western Campus.

The collaboration is expected to further extend to grant management capacity. APHRC introduced KIU to the Good Financial Grant Practice (GFGP) standard, the world’s first accredited framework for financial governance. Through APHRC’s online courses, KIU’s grants team can train, certify, and strengthen institutional credibility with funders.

“Funders increasingly ask for GFGP certification. It is an international standard that reduces risk and builds confidence. By training universities like KIU, we ensure they are ready to compete for grants globally,” Dr. Kiragga noted.

Looking ahead, the ongoing training is just the beginning. APHRC and KIU are working toward a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will expand collaboration into joint grant writing, advanced training, and shared research initiatives.