By James Wakahiu
Mount Kenya University (MKU) has inked a crucial collaboration agreement with Namibia’s International University of Management whose main campus is based in Windhoek.
The signing ceremony held at MKU’s Mwai Kibaki Convention Centre in Thika town on Wednesday was graced by the Vice President of the Republic of Namibia, Dr Nangolo Mbumba. The Namibian delegation team leader was accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Susitjie Mbumba.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by MKU Vice Chancellor, Prof Deogratius Jaganyi and the International University of Management (IUM)’s coordinator, school of medicine, Prof. Peter Nyarango. The deal is for five years but may be renewed by the parties.
Dr Mbumba, who planted a commemorative tree before taking an extensive tour of the university, including scientific departments, said the MOU involves collaboration, exchange of knowledge and good practices. “We want to train our youth to become real scientists, not just seekers of academic papers,” he said.
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Photo/ Mount Kenya University (MKU) Vice Chancellor Prof Deogratius Jaganyi {Right } exchange documents with Prof. Peter Nyarango, coordinator school of medicine, the International University of Management of Namibia, at MKU’s main campus in Thika town on Wednesday. The new pact opens partnership to build capacity for health personnel in Africa. PHOTO’; COURTESY
The Vice President said the more African university students interact when they are studying, before they start working or join politics, the better for Africa. “We are not going to meet people and say they are from Southern, West or East African regions; we are all one people,” he said.
Welcoming the guests to MKU, Prof Jaganyi said good health is the greatest wealth that a person can enjoy in life. Both Kenya and the Republic of Namibia have vision statements that spell out the two governments’ commitment to good health for all by 2030, he said.
“A healthy and food-secure nation in which all preventable infections and parasitic diseases are under secure control, the people enjoy a high standard of living, good quality of life, translating into long life expectancy and sustainable population growth,” he added.
Photo/ Mount Kenya Vice Chancellor (MKU) Prof Deogratius Jaganyi {centre} presents a token of appreciation to Vice-President Republic of Namibia, Dr Nangolo Mbumba, after the university hosted a delegation from the southern Africa country. Looking on is Prof. Peter Nyarango, coordinator school of medicine,International University of Management of Namibia. The Namibia Vice- president had been in Kenya for the Africa Climate Summit.
The VC said the two countries have their Vision Statements (Kenya Vision 2030 and Namibia Vision 2030) very similarly directed towards creation of strong health care systems that have adequate capacities to serve the respective nations in terms of provision of adequate, affordable and reliable health care.
The two universities serve in capacity development as a way of supporting their respective countries’ Vision Statements. “When medical schools and governments partner on a cross-border basis and benchmark with each other, this is a sure way of contributing toward reduced inequalities in health care within the continent,” said Prof Jaganyi.
Collaboration shall be carried out, subject to the availability of funds and the approval of the vice-chancellors of both universities, through such activities or programmes as academic engagements between the MKU College of Health Sciences and IUM’s Medical School. This is in the areas of undergraduate and postgraduate teaching which shall include staff and student exchange and shared online teaching and learning.
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Photo/ Mount Kenya Vice Chancellor (MKU) Prof Deogratius Jaganyi {centre} presents a token of appreciation to Vice-President Republic of Namibia, Dr Nangolo Mbumba, after the university hosted a delegation from the southern Africa country. Looking on is Prof. Peter Nyarango, coordinator school of medicine, International University of Management of Namibia. The Namibia Vice- president had been in Kenya for the Africa Climate Summit.
The MOU also clears the way for partnerships in medical electives, extra-mural rotations, joint research and publications, community engagement and primary health care, tele-medicine, sharing of online resource materials, joint grant writing, back linking of websites, and any other relevant activities as may be mutually agreed upon in other areas of the two universities.
The joint steering committee consists of MKU’s Dr. Josephat Njuguna, Principal, College of Health Sciences and Dr Juliet Gathaara, Dean Medical School. IUM is represented by Prof Peter Nyarango, coordinator, school of medicine, and Wilfred Muller, Director of Finance.
It is anticipated that, as a way of gaining synergy, this partnership will be expanded to include other universities and organizations, both private and public in both countries and beyond. “Our two universities are committed to champion the Vision Statements of our respective nations and support capacity development in Human Health Care and hence ensure high quality of human life in both countries and contribute to longevity of lives as a public good.
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The partnership will also be extended to involve other schools/ faculties at the two universities in the near future. “MKU is committed to share it with other professional organizations both within the two countries and beyond. In this way we shall certainly contribute to the wellbeing of all citizens as well as other persons beyond our national borders,” said Prof Jaganyi.
The Namibian institution has its roots in the Institute of Higher Education which was founded in 1994. In 2002, the college was transformed into a fully-fledged university, the International University of Management.
Its mission is to establish a higher seat of learning in Namibia and train innovative specialists and dedicated knowledge workers for the public and private sectors who will provide leadership at national and international levels. With a main campus at Dorado Park in Windhoek and others in Ongwediva, Nkurenkuru and Walvis Bay, IUM is a multi-campus institution.
The university is fully-accredited by the Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA) and the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE). IUM currently has a student population of over 13,000 and a staff complement of about 450, mostly academic. The institution is a centre of excellence for the teaching and research in Management Science and ICT disciplines.
Currently, IUM continues to diversify its offerings at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels (including medical sciences) in order to address different socio-economic needs in Namibia).
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