Past Member

Yusuf Ahmad

Former Research Assistant
  • Lifelong Kindergarten

My research explores better tools to think with and post-industrial models for school. 

I've contributed to Scratch, prototyped design tools for educators, and worked on large-scale ed reform efforts (e.g. with districts in the US and the  Rwandan and South African governments). 

Before MIT, I led development (from ideation to scale-up) of degree programs at a pan-African University  with campuses in Mauritius, Rwanda, and Kenya and over $80M USD in funding. We remixed ideas from places like Olin, Minerva, 42, Ashesi, and High Tech High to create a university where students learn through projects, research, and industry placements instead of lectures and decontextualized assignments. 

Outside of work, I mentor youth at a community makerspace and coach MIT startups. Rumor has it I make the best cup of Chai this side of the Atlantic..