The Great Lakes University of Kisumu (GLUK) has entered a strategic partnership with Med Aditus Pharmaceuticals (MAP), a US-based pharmaceutical company, to equip students with in-demand skills to enhance their employability in the evolving pharmaceutical sector.
As part of the collaboration, MAP has secured a long-term, zero-cost lease on a 10-acre plot of land within the university’s campus in Miwani Ward, Muhoroni, to establish a state-of-the-art pharmaceutical manufacturing facility.
This facility will serve as a training ground for students, offering hands-on experience with modern manufacturing technologies to develop a skilled workforce and support the plant’s operations.
Professor Hazel Miseda, Vice Chancellor of GLUK, described the partnership as a transformative opportunity for both the university and its students.
She emphasized that the collaboration would revolutionize training and research, positioning GLUK as a model institution in pharmaceutical education by leveraging technology in the learning process.
“We are excited to welcome Med Aditus Pharmaceuticals, a company committed to advancing pharmaceutical manufacturing technologies. This collaboration allows our students to gain invaluable practical experience with the latest innovations in the field, giving them a significant competitive edge as they enter the workforce,” Prof Miseda said during a press briefing at GLUK.
The university, she added, together with its international partners, is also developing a tailored pharmaceutical curriculum, ensuring that students are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to meet the evolving demands of the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry.
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Professor Dhiren Thakker, CEO of Med Aditus Pharmaceuticals, explained that the partnership will provide access to advanced research and foster a robust workforce ecosystem, addressing the growing demand for highly skilled professionals in the pharmaceutical sector.
Prof Thakker announced that MAP will launch an education and training initiative in partnership with GLUK and other international universities to meet the demand for the critical workforce needed to support the anticipated growth of the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry in Kenya.
“The universities train scientists, healthcare and business professionals, making it easy to tap talent from this pool. However, we will look for the best candidates across the country to engage at our facility,” Prof Thakker assured.
The new pharmaceutical plant in Kisumu, scheduled for launch in 2025, will begin mass production and distribution of affordable, high-quality medical drugs by 2028, serving both Kenya and the wider East African region.
Health specialist Professor Khama Rogo, said Kisumu County was privileged to host the transformative project.
Rogo encouraged local communities to take advantage of the training opportunities available through the initiative.
“The pharmacy industry in Kenya is facing a shortage of skilled industrial pharmacists, and this initiative will directly address that gap,” Prof Rogo explained.
By Fredrick Odiero
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