Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) is set to partner with the University of Tokyo on research in diverse fields.
JKUAT Vice Chancellor Prof Victoria Wambui Ngumi, welcomed a high-level delegation from the University of Tokyo, led by Prof Takao Someya, Executive Director and Vice President of the University. The visit aimed to strengthen international research collaboration between the two institutions.
Prof Someya, a globally recognized pioneer in flexible electronics and bio integrated systems, was accompanied by Toshiyuki Nakamura, Special Assistant to the President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), as they discussed avenues for potential partnerships.
Prof Ngumi expressed her enthusiasm on the prospect of collaborating with one of the world’s leading research institutions, emphasizing the transformative impact such partnerships could have on advancing science and technology.
“We are excited to explore collaborative research opportunities with the University of Tokyo. Collaborations such as this bring invaluable expertise and open up new horizons for our students and researchers,” she said.
The VC emphasized her commitment to push the boundaries of research, noting the University has fostered a culture where researchers are actively encouraged to pursue ambitious proposal writing.
“Our professors are encouraged to do research and write proposals while also training students on how to do research. We encourage the aspect of internationalization because collaborations are very important. We seek collaborative research and collaborative research proposals,” said Prof Ngumi.
In a bid to promote research, Prof Ngumi proposed student and staff exchange as one of the key areas that would mutually boost research credentials of the two universities.
Prof Someya echoed the sentiments, noting that the rapidly growing technology and research landscape makes it a key player in Africa’s scientific development.
“It is a privilege to be at JKUAT, an institution that has shown remarkable leadership in agricultural and technological advancements across Africa. We see natural synergy between our institutions, particularly in fields like agricultural technology, business development, and environmental sustainability,” said Prof Someya.
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The discussions centered on joint research initiatives in areas such as health monitoring technologies, climate change and environmental sustainability, start-ups, Artificial intelligence and agricultural innovation among others.
Prof Someya highlighted the potential for JKUAT students and faculty to collaborate with Tokyo-based researchers on cutting-edge technologies, including but not limited to flexible sensors and electronic materials that can monitor health markers directly from the skin.
The professor revealed that the University of Tokyo has been home to many African students on exchange programmes. He expressed his hope that the area of start-ups in which he specializes will boost the African continent.
Mr Nakamura, representing JICA, underscored the importance of academic and scientific collaborations in advancing shared goals.
In a demonstration of reciprocity where both institutions committed to advance the proposed collaboration, Prof. Ngumi extended an invitation to the University of Tokyo researchers to engage with JKUAT academic community, while Prof Someya invited Kenyan scholars and researchers to participate in exchange programs in Tokyo.
The two institutions will now embark on formalizing their partnership through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to concretize their mutual goals and objectives.
By our reporter
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