Six students from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) have earned fully funded scholarships to pursue Master’s degrees in Sustainable Land Management and Conservation at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences in Germany, under the prestigious Erasmus+ partnership between the two institutions.
The scholars — Charity Wanjiku, Cynthia Kabuga, Vincent Omondi, Maureen Njaramba, Sandra Anyanje, and Sarah Mora — were competitively selected from the Departments of Botany and Zoology, which fall under JKUAT’s School of Biological Sciences within the College of Pure and Applied Sciences (COPAS).
The programme brings together participants from Copperbelt University (Zambia), University of Namibia, Bahir Dar University (Ethiopia), and the China University of Geosciences, reflecting the global reach of the initiative. The students began their studies in October 2025.
During a pre-departure briefing at JKUAT, Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs) Prof. George Thiong’o congratulated the students and underscored the significance of the partnership in enhancing JKUAT’s international profile.
“This partnership is a demonstration of the strength of our academic programmes and the calibre of our students,” Prof. Thiong’o said.
“Through Erasmus+, our students are gaining invaluable exposure to international learning environments, modern research facilities, and cross-cultural collaboration. These experiences will enrich their academic growth and enable them to contribute meaningfully to Kenya’s and Africa’s scientific advancement.”
Prof. Thiong’o, who also serves as Principal of COPAS, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to expanding its academic mobility programmes and research collaborations to align with Kenya’s Vision 2030 and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
Faculty from the Department of Botany attended the briefing, with Dr. Moses Gichua urging the students to make the most of the opportunity by cultivating global networks that could help advance sustainable development back home.
Similarly, Dr. Shem Kuyah, who coordinates the Erasmus+ partnership at JKUAT, advised the cohort to “embrace every experience, explore new ideas, and strive for both personal and professional growth.”
“I hope the students can later secure PhD scholarships, because such opportunities are vital in advancing research excellence and nurturing the next generation of African scientists,” Dr Kuyah added.
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The Master’s in Sustainable Land Management and Conservation equips students with an advanced understanding of agroecosystem functioning, nature conservation, and sustainable land-use planning.
The course is designed to prepare graduates to engage with land users, policymakers, and environmental agencies to promote responsible and science-based management of natural resources.
The collaboration, which took effect in January 2025, aligns with JKUAT’s strategy to internationalize higher education by fostering joint research, staff exchange, and academic mobility.
By participating in the Erasmus+ network, JKUAT joins a growing list of African universities working to enhance sustainability research and innovation through global partnerships.
“This is not just an academic journey—it’s a contribution to the future of sustainable land use in Africa,” said Dr. Kuyah.
By Joseph Mambili
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