On 24 September 2026, the Centre for Character and Leadership (CCL), in collaboration with the Association for Character Development in Africa (ACDA), launched a virtual webinar series focusing on Character Virtue Development in Institutions of Higher Learning. The webinar series aims to build the capacity of researchers and practitioners to become champions of character education in colleges and universities across Kenya and the wider African region. Through knowledge sharing, professional development, and collaborative engagement, the initiative seeks to strengthen the integration of character and virtue development into higher education institutions and promote the holistic character development of students and future leaders.
Speaking during the launch, Peter Kingori, Director of the Character Education Program at CCL, emphasized the importance of a university education that promotes the holistic character development of both faculty members and students. He noted that “the value of a university education, actually, is evidenced in the lives of university graduates.”

The first webinar series focused on ‘Character Education in Universities: A Framework for Flourishing’ presented by Prof. Andrew Peterson, Deputy Director, Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues, University of Birmingham, UK. Professor Peterson outlined a framework for character education in universities, discussing four categories of virtues (intellectual, civic, moral, and performance strengths). He added that it’s through practical wisdom (phronesis) which acts as an integrative/meta virtue that human beings “are able to do the right thing at the right time for the right reasons.”

The presentation emphasized that while universities traditionally focus on intellectual development, they also have a responsibility to cultivate both intellectual and moral virtues to help students live good lives and flourish. The presentation addressed different approaches universities take toward implementation of character education, ranging from rejection of character formation to minimalist, moderate, and maximalist approaches.

Participants asked questions about institutionalization of character education and challenges in public universities where students witness corruption in public life. The webinar concluded with discussions about how universities can create positive role models and foster character development despite structural challenges. The webinar was attended by researchers and practitioners from across Africa.