Jecha S Jecha

PhD Student in Educational Technology, Southwest University · Assistant Lecturer, Faculty of Science, Zanzibar University

I am a PhD student in Educational Technology at Southwest University (Chongqing, China) and an Assistant Lecturer in the Faculty of Science at Zanzibar University. My research examines how artificial intelligence is understood, adopted, and used in higher education — especially in African and small-island contexts.

Coming from a background that spans information technology, education, and industrial design engineering, I study the gap between AI readiness and AI adoption: why institutions and educators that are prepared for AI still struggle to use it well, how AI can scaffold students’ help-seeking and self-regulated learning, and what responsible AIED policy looks like for under-resourced systems. Alongside this, I work on human factors and ergonomics in design.

Research interests

  • Artificial Intelligence in Education
  • AI Adoption in Higher Education
  • Self-Regulated Learning
  • Educational Technology
  • Human-AI Interaction
  • Human Factors and Ergonomics
Recent

News

  • New article “Beyond skepticism: Question marks surrounding AI and AIED policies in Africa” published in Computers and Education Open. See publications.
  • Received the 2025 International Students’ Excellent Academic Paper Award.
  • Several preprints on AI integration and help-seeking scaffolds in higher education released — available on the publications page.
  • Invited keynote on inclusive education at the 2025 China–ASEAN Education Cooperation Week International Forum.
  • Began PhD studies in Educational Technology at Southwest University, Chongqing.
Research output

Featured publications

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Beyond skepticism: Question marks surrounding AI and AIED policies in Africa

Nyagoga, L. M., Mapunda, E. J., Shirima, M. J., Jecha, J. S., Nicodemus, M. W., & Adarkwah, M. A. (2026)

Computers and Education Open, 10, 100370 · Published

BibTeX
@article{nyagoga2026beyond,
  author  = {Nyagoga, Lucy Michael and Mapunda, Evance Joseph and
             Shirima, Mariana Julius and Jecha, Jecha S. and
             Nicodemus, Michael W. and Adarkwah, Michael Agyemang},
  title   = {Beyond skepticism: Question marks surrounding AI and AIED
             policies in Africa},
  journal = {Computers and Education Open},
  volume  = {10},
  pages   = {100370},
  year    = {2026},
  doi     = {10.1016/j.caeo.2026.100370}
}

Generative AI and Adaptive Systems for Customising Help-Seeking Scaffolds: A Systematic Review

Jecha, J., Igwean, C. C., & Banaras, A. (2026)

Research Square · Preprint (Research Square)

BibTeX
@unpublished{jecha2026genai,
  author = {Jecha, Jecha and Igwean, Chimaobi Charles and Banaras, Anum},
  title  = {Generative AI and Adaptive Systems for Customising
            Help-Seeking Scaffolds: A Systematic Review},
  note   = {Preprint, Research Square},
  year   = {2026},
  doi    = {10.21203/rs.3.rs-9471902/v1}
}

Navigating the Future: Assessing the Impacts and Challenges of AI Integration in Higher Education Institutions in Zanzibar

Jecha, J., & Nassor, H. (2026)

Research Square · Preprint (Research Square)

BibTeX
@unpublished{jecha2026navigating,
  author = {Jecha, Jecha and Nassor, Hayfa},
  title  = {Navigating the Future: Assessing the Impacts and Challenges
            of AI Integration in Higher Education Institutions in
            Zanzibar},
  note   = {Preprint, Research Square},
  year   = {2026},
  doi    = {10.21203/rs.3.rs-9479399/v1}
}
Applied work

Featured projects

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Inclusive Digital Economy Scorecard (IDES) & Zanzibar Digital Transformation Policy

Consultant / researcher · 2024

Contributed to a UNCDF study — on behalf of Zanzibar's Ministry of Infrastructure, Communication and Transport and the Zanzibar Research Centre for Socio-Economic and Policy Analysis (ZRCP) — developing an Inclusive Digital Economy Scorecard and informing Zanzibar's digital transformation policy.

Digital economy · Policy analysis · Zanzibar

Jamii ni Afya — Digital Health Program Transition

Contributor · 2023

Supported the transition of Jamii ni Afya — a digital community-health program improving reproductive health and the well-being of young people — to the Government of Zanzibar, in partnership with D-tree International and ZRCP.

Digital health · mHealth · Government handover

Writing

Latest AI Insights

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When Readiness Doesn't Lead to Adoption

Institutions can be ready for AI on every measurable dimension and still not adopt it. That gap is where the interesting questions live.