Erasmus+ CBHE · Grant No. 101179908
AAN-DI Logo
AAN-DI
Erasmus+ Project · 2024–2027

Digital Transformation for NeuroDiversity Inclusion in Africa and Asia

A cross-regional Erasmus+ capacity-building initiative connecting universities in Finland, Spain, Kenya and India — building inclusive digital futures for neurodivergent persons worldwide.

Explore the Project → NeuroWiz Hub Coming Soon
6
Beneficiary institutions across 4 countries
70
HEI staff trained in neurodiversity inclusion
400
Students in supervised internship programme
36
Month project · Dec 2024 – Nov 2027
AAN-DI Consortium Kick-off Workshop · Kisumu, Kenya · January 2025
Consortium Partners 🇫🇮 University of Jyväskylä 🇪🇸 University of Valencia 🇰🇪 GLUK 🇰🇪 MMUST 🇮🇳 IIT Bombay 🇮🇳 University of Kashmir
About the Project

Promoting inclusive digital transformation for neurodivergent persons

The AAN-DI project aims to foster digital transformation to enhance the skills, employability, and self-reliance of neurodivergent individuals. By leveraging tailored digital tools, the project focuses on supporting their professional competencies, mental health, wellbeing, and unique needs.

Research shows that approximately 15% of the world's population is Neurodivergent, with one or more conditions such as learning difficulties in reading, math, attention or autism spectrum disorders. Yet neurodivergent persons face significant barriers in online and digital learning environments — barriers that HEI staff are insufficiently prepared to address.

This initiative involves capacity-building efforts for staff from four higher education institutions in Kenya and India, in collaboration with international partners. The programme country partners are the University of Jyväskylä (JYU), Finland, and the University of Valencia (UVEG), Spain. Partner country institutions are GLUK and MMUST in Kenya, and IITB and the University of Kashmir in India.

The project is poised to create lasting benefits for HEIs, students and neurodivergent communities by promoting inclusion, skill development and international collaboration. Through its comprehensive approach, the project drives sustainable digital transformation and empowers neurodivergent individuals globally.

SDG 3 — Good Health & Wellbeing SDG 10 — Reduced Inequalities SDG 17 — Partnerships Digital Transformation Priority
Project Details
Grant number101179908
CallERASMUS-EDU-2024-CBHE-STRAND-2
Duration36 months · Dec 2024 – Nov 2027
CoordinatorSusannah Otieno-Leppänen, JYU
Beneficiaries6 institutions
Associated Partners10 organisations
Three Training Areas
WP2Digital Wellbeing & Inclusion
WP3Transversal Digital Competencies for Neurodiversity
WP4Sustainable Digital Transformation for Neurodiversity
AAN-DI project logo
Digital Transformation for NeuroDiversity
Inclusion in Africa and Asia
Project Objectives

Five measurable objectives driving systemic change

Each objective has clear, measurable indicators designed to create lasting impact for neurodivergent persons and higher education institutions across Africa and Asia.

Build HEI Staff Capacity
Training multidisciplinary partner country staff and students in three core areas — through 6 webinars (10 hrs), 3 local workshops (48 hrs each), and 3 international hybrid training workshops (120 hrs), certified jointly by JYU and UVEG.
Develop Certified Training Modules
Create three certified staff training modules on digital wellbeing and inclusion, transversal digital competencies, and sustainable digital transformation for neurodiversity — made openly accessible for learning at GLUK, MMUST, IITB and KU.
Support HEI Students
Offer three accredited short online courses (2 ECTS each) and improve employability through a supervised one-month internship programme (5 ECTS) involving 400 students at associated partner organisations and the project consortium.
Enhance Internationalisation
Facilitate blended mobility for 70 staff and 140 students to GLUK, MMUST, IITB, KU, UVEG and JYU — advancing skills and fostering collaborative programmes in neurodiversity across Africa, Asia and Europe.
Create the NeuroWiz Hub
Establish the NeuroWiz Hub, a co-designed digital ecosystem openly accessible to support neurodivergent individuals by enhancing their professional skills, wellbeing, mental health and digital inclusion. Permanently free to use.
Work Packages

Project implementation across five work packages

AAN-DI uses a cost-effective hybrid model — online webinars, network mentorship, co-creation workshops and on-site training — minimising travel while maximising cross-regional impact.

WP1

Management & Coordination

Lead: JYU & GLUK

Ensures the efficient management of the project including governance structures, quality assurance, reporting systems, communication infrastructure and consortium coordination across all six beneficiary institutions.

  • Kick-off Workshop in Kisumu, Kenya (January 2025)
  • Project Charter and Consortium Agreement
  • Supervisory Board and PI/Co-PI governance meetings
  • Monthly newsletters and digital communication
  • Baseline survey, ethics and regulatory preparation
  • Quality assurance, risk management and M&E
Midterm Status · Dec 2024 – May 2026
Kick-off online orientation meetingCompleted
Kick-off Workshop, Kisumu, KenyaCompleted
Supervisory Board & governanceCompleted
Project Charter documentCompleted
Consortium Agreement (signed)Completed
Website & social media platformsCompleted
Monthly newslettersOngoing
Baseline survey & ethics approvalsIn Progress
MOUs & administrative coordinationIn Progress
CDAC advisory meeting (April 2026)Completed
WP2

Digital Wellbeing & Inclusion for Neurodiversity

Lead: KU & MMUST

Develops capacity in digital wellbeing and inclusion — covering digital equity, sensitization for neurodivergent persons, accessibility guidelines, digital technologies for mental health, vulnerability and digital ethics.

  • DWIN Webinar (February 2025)
  • ToT Training Module for Digital Wellbeing (KU)
  • Network mentorship activities
  • Accredited online short course (2 ECTS, MMUST)
  • Training Workshop in Kashmir, India
  • Staff & student blended mobility to KU
Midterm Implementation Status
DWIN Webinar (Feb 2025)Completed
DWIN ToT Training Module (KU)Completed
Network mentorship activitiesCompleted
Online short course development (MMUST)Completed
DWIN Training Workshop (Kashmir)Postponed to 2026
Staff & student blended mobility to KUPlanned 2026
WP3

Transversal Digital Competencies for Neurodiversity

Lead: UVEG & IITB

Covers internet information search, multimodal document creation, critical evaluation of information, collaboration on digital platforms, easy-to-read document guidelines, inclusive teaching with digital tools, and digital security.

  • Local DCN workshops at IITB, KU and MMUST
  • DCN Webinar — completed under UVEG leadership
  • ToT Training Module for DCN (finalising June 2026)
  • Online short course on DCN (IITB)
  • UVEG DCN Training Workshop (22–26 June 2026, Valencia)
  • eHandbook DCN co-creation
Midterm Implementation Status
IITB, KU & MMUST local DCN workshopsCompleted
DCN Webinar (UVEG)Completed
ToT Training Module — DCNFinalising Jun 2026
Online short course on DCNIn Progress
DCN Network mentorshipPending modules
UVEG Training Workshop — ValenciaJune 2026
WP4

Sustainable Digital Transformation for Neurodiversity

Lead: IITB & GLUK

Focuses on sustainable and ethical digital transformation strategy, best practices for developing digital tools, digital entrepreneurship in neurodiversity, cross-regional cultural diversity, and creating the NeuroWiz digital ecosystem.

  • Understanding Emotions webinar (IITB, Feb 2026)
  • Sustainable Digital Transformation webinar (Mar 2026)
  • ToT Training Module for Sustainable Digital Transformation
  • NeuroWiz Hub co-design with 8D Games (March 2026)
  • Online short course on sustainable digital transformation
  • Blended mobility to IITB, Mumbai
Midterm Implementation Status
Emotions webinar (IITB, Feb 2026)Completed
Sustainable Digital Transformation webinarCompleted
Thematic sessions & blended engagementCompleted
NeuroWiz Hub co-design (8D Games)Completed
ToT Module — Sustainable Digital TransformationIn Development
Online short course on SDTIn Planning
WP5

Impact & Dissemination

Lead: MMUST & KU

Ensures that AAN-DI outcomes reach the widest possible audience — neurodivergent persons, HEI staff, students, NGOs, government agencies and the public — through the NeuroWiz Hub, newsletters, eHandbooks and institutional channels.

  • Dissemination and outreach planning
  • Monthly newsletter (rotating responsibility across partners)
  • eHandbook co-creation (linked to NeuroWiz Hub)
  • NeuroWiz Hub as central digital dissemination ecosystem
  • Social media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, YouTube
  • Institutional visibility through GLUK/CORTEX platforms
Midterm Implementation Status
Dissemination & outreach structureOperational
Monthly newsletter publicationOngoing
Social media channels establishedCompleted
NeuroWiz Hub dissemination ecosystemOngoing
eHandbook co-creation planningIn Progress
Institutional stakeholder engagementOngoing
The Consortium

A cross-regional partnership of excellence

The AAN-DI consortium consists of 6 beneficiaries and 10 associated partner organisations — comprising women and men from various cultural and educational backgrounds with a wide range of expertise.

University of Jyväskylä
JYU · Finland
Programme country coordinator. Leads overall project management (WP1), contributes to content training in WP2, WP3 and WP4. Home of the Centre of Excellence for Learning Dynamics (InterLearn CoE). Ranked 201–250 in psychology globally. Founded 1863.
Project Coordinator
University of Valencia
UVEG · Spain
Programme country partner. Contributes to WP2, WP3 (main) and WP4. Hosts the internationally renowned Reading Research Unit with 25 researchers. Founding member of FORTHEM European University Alliance. Founded 1499.
Programme Country
Great Lakes University Kisumu
GLUK · Kenya
Partner country beneficiary. Co-leads WP1 and WP4. Develops content for sustainable digital transformation and trains GLUK staff. Kenyan private chartered university focused on community-based health care. Founded 1998.
Partner Country
Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology
MMUST · Kenya
Partner country beneficiary. Leads WP5 (Impact and Dissemination) and co-leads WP2. Trains MMUST staff and offers accredited short courses. 7th public university in Kenya with 19 schools. Founded 2006.
Partner Country
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
IITB · India
Partner country beneficiary. Leads WP4 and co-leads WP3, including NeuroWiz Hub mobile apps development. The Psychophysiology Laboratory brings expertise in neuroscience, EEG, neurofeedback and AI-supported tool development.
Partner Country
University of Kashmir
KU · India
Partner country beneficiary. Co-leads WP2 (Digital Wellbeing) and WP5. Founded 1948 with five satellite campuses. Works closely with IMHANS and KUMHS on neurodiversity and mental health support.
Partner Country

10 Associated Partner Organisations

Strengthening societal impact through universities, NGOs, government agencies and health institutions.

University of Turku
Moi University
Niilo Mäki Institute (NMI)
IMHANS, Kashmir
Green Africa Foundation
Drishti
Brainugen
University Model School, Kashmir
PASCA Medical Foundation
Center for Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience
Project Team

The people behind AAN-DI

The AAN-DI team brings together interdisciplinary expertise across higher education, psychology, neurodiversity, digital transformation and international development from four countries.

Project Leaders
Susannah Otieno-Leppänen
Project Manager & Coordinator
University of Jyväskylä · Finland
JYU Profile
Paavo Leppänen
Professor
University of Jyväskylä · Finland
JYU Profile
External Members
Lalo Salmeron
Professor
University of Valencia · Spain
University of Valencia
Hazel Miseda Mumbo
Professor
Great Lakes University Kisumu · Kenya
GLUK
Charles Wafula
Professor
Great Lakes University Kisumu · Kenya
GLUK
Edward Okaya
Head of Department of Educational Psychology
Masinde Muliro University · Kenya
MMUST
Azizuddin Khan
Professor
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay · India
IIT Bombay
Showkat Ahmad Shah
Professor
University of Kashmir · India
University of Kashmir
Dr. Isaac Kalua Green
CEO, Green Africa Foundation
Green Africa Foundation · Kenya
Green Africa Foundation
Dr. Smita Desai
Founder and CEO, Drishti
Drishti · India
Drishti
Pascalia Papai
CEO, PASCA Medical Foundation
PASCA Medical Foundation
PASCA Medical Foundation
Digital Ecosystem

NeuroWiz Hub

Under Development — Coming Soon
The NeuroWiz Hub is currently being built. Sign up for updates below.

The NeuroWiz Hub is the flagship output of AAN-DI — a co-designed Digital Ecosystem permanently and openly available to support neurodivergent persons worldwide. It serves as the central platform for training materials, tools, resources and community connection.

Co-designed through participatory workshops with researchers, neurodivergent participants and stakeholders (facilitated by 8D Games in March 2026), the Hub prioritises usability, accessibility and AI-supported adaptive features — built on a lifespan model from childhood through school to employment.

Mental Health & Wellbeing
Apps, therapy tools and self-help resources for neurodivergent persons
Digital Literacy & Accessibility
Skills, learning platforms and inclusive assistive technology
Digital Economy
Jobs, freelancing and entrepreneurship pathways
AI-Powered Assessment Engine
Cognitive and emotional assessment with adaptive recommendation and longitudinal monitoring
Get notified when the NeuroWiz Hub launches
Be the first to access tools and resources for neurodivergent inclusion.
NeuroWiz Hub
Integrated Resource Taxonomy & System Architecture
Mental Health & Wellbeing
Apps · Therapy · Self-help
Digital Literacy
Skills · Learning · Platforms
Digital Accessibility
Assistive Tech · Inclusive Design
Digital Innovation
AI · VR · Neurotech
Digital Economy
Jobs · Freelancing · Entrepreneurship
Child Neurodiversity
Parents · Practitioners · Schools
Data & Research Infrastructure (AAN-DI Core)
📊 Longitudinal Data Collection
🔒 GDPR & Ethical Compliance
⚡ AI & Predictive Analytics
☁️ Cloud Infrastructure
Project Impact

Transforming digital inclusion at scale

AAN-DI creates systemic change across Africa, Asia and Europe — building capacity, fostering internationalisation, and establishing a permanent open digital resource for the global neurodiversity community.

70HEI staff trained in digital neurodiversity inclusion
3Certified training modules jointly certified by JYU & UVEG
400Students in supervised internship programme (5 ECTS)
140Students participating in international blended mobility
6Online webinars reaching all consortium partners
3Accredited short online courses (2 ECTS each)
10Associated partner organisations driving societal impact
∞NeuroWiz Hub — permanently open digital ecosystem Coming Soon
Project News & Milestones

Key achievements in the first 18 months

December 2024
Project Launch — Kick-off Online Orientation
JYU convened the online project orientation introducing the AAN-DI implementation approach, work packages, shared documentation and partner responsibilities across all six institutions.
January 2025
Kick-off Workshop in Kisumu, Kenya
GLUK hosted the consortium Kick-off Workshop from 13–15 January 2025, supporting roadmap development, governance operationalization, committee establishment and implementation planning.
February 2025
Digital Wellbeing & Inclusion Webinar (WP2)
The inaugural DWIN webinar addressed digital psychological interventions, digital wellbeing, inclusion and neurodiversity-related considerations for project implementation.
Autumn 2025
Consortium Agreement Finalised & Signed
The Consortium Agreement was finalized and signed October–November 2025, formalizing partner responsibilities, reporting obligations, IP/data protection and governance procedures.
February 2026
Understanding Emotions Webinar — IITB (WP4)
IIT Bombay hosted a session on neurodiversity frameworks, emotional processing, interoception, sensory overload, alexithymia and cognitive equity through the Psychophysiology Laboratory.
March 2026
NeuroWiz Hub Co-Design Session
Consortium partners participated in the NeuroWiz Hub co-design session facilitated by 8D Games, engaging researchers, neurodivergent participants and stakeholders on usability and AI-supported features.
April 2026
CDAC Advisory Meeting
The Capacity Development Advisory Committee meeting on 28 April 2026 reviewed WP implementation, blended mobility progress, NeuroWiz Hub development and consortium recommendations.
June 2026
UVEG DCN Training Workshop — Valencia, Spain
Planned WP3 training workshop at the University of Valencia, 22–26 June 2026, with blended mobility and transversal digital competency training for partner staff and students.

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Project Coordinator Contact

Susannah Otieno-Leppänen

University of Jyväskylä, Finland

Department of Education and Psychology

Funded by
Co-funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ Programme, Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE), Strand 2 — Cross-regional cooperation.

Views and opinions expressed are those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or EACEA. Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

Join the movement for neurodivergent inclusion

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