A delegation from the Kiphart Centre for Global Health and Social Development at the University of Chicago visited Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) to explore potential areas of collaboration in the medical field.
Led by the Centre’s Executive Director, Mr. Erick Amick, the team was received at JKUAT by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs, Prof. Robert Kinyua, on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Victoria Wambui Ngumi.
Prof. Kinyua welcomed the partnership with the University of Chicago, noting that JKUAT has, over the years, thrived on strategic alliances – leveraging internationalisation to advance academic and research excellence.
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He affirmed that JKUAT is a reputable collaborator, globally recognised for its strengths in niche training areas such as health, engineering, technology and agriculture, among others.
Mr. Amick expressed his enthusiasm for forging a synergistic partnership aimed at addressing pressing global health challenges.
He highlighted that his institution’s strengths lie in training, research, incubation, and community development; areas that align seamlessly with JKUAT’s mandate.
Even as the two institutions work towards formalising their cooperation, both staff and student exchanges are already underway. Three students from the University of Chicago are currently in Kenya as part of an exchange programme involving JKUAT and the Kenya National Public Health Institute (KNPHI).
Similarly, JKUAT, University of Chicago, KNPHI and Indiana University have teamed up to organize a scientific conference to be held in June 2026.
In March this year, a team from JKUAT, led by the Principal of the College of Health Sciences, Dr Reuben Thuo, undertook an exchange visit to the University of Chicago.
Dr. Amick who also serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Health Sciences, within the Biological Sciences Division was accompanied to JKUAT by Jessica Darrow, Associate Instructional Professor at the University of Chicago.
Prof. Darrow emphasized the role of global collaborations in solving shared health and development challenges.
Dr. Thuo said that the University of Chicago partnership would be a powerful north-south cooperation with potential to aid two-way diffusion of ideas, technologies and resources in the global health space.
By Kamau Njoroge
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