Mount Kenya University (MKU) hosted the Tanzania’s Ministry of Finance-sponsored Higher Education Institution called the Tanzania Institute of Accountancy (TIA) between Sunday 15th and Friday 19th Jan 2024. This was in line with their Memorandum of Understanding signed by the two universities in 2021 which highlights staff and student exchange among the joint activities. TIA’s 24 students and 5 members of staff interacted deeply and widely with MKU staff and students, from the Vice Chancellor to the student leaders, members of various student clubs, and some external partners. Key among these partners were the LIONS International members of the Thika Kilimambogo Club who gave a lecture to the visitors and a section of MKU students at Mwai Kibaki International Convention Centre at Thika Campus on Wednesday 18th January 2021. under the topic of “Leadership Experience Opportunities (LEO)”. The LIONS International Thika Kilimambogo Club members do fully support the MKU Thika Campus LEO students club of close to 50 students drawn from different faculties. Dr. James Njagu, a former Diplomat of the East African Community, where he worked for 15 years, gave a virtual lecture on the East African Integration. The TIA and MKU teams visited TV 47 and Radio 47 studios and were hosted by Mwalimu Mashuhuri wa Lugha ya Kiswahili, Yusuf Wambugu.
As the visitors left for Tanzania after a very successful and well-coordinated 5 days’ visit to MKU, a declaration was made that the MKU-TIA relationship has gone several notches higher following the visit. The MKU and TIA students expressed their support towards the East Africa Integration as well as support to the SDGs 2030 Agenda. (MKU in the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) Hub University for SDG10 on Reduced Inequalities for a renewable period of 3 years – 1st June 2021 to 31st May 2024). TIA team promised to host MKU within the year for a reciprocal visit and for a workshop to be graced by, among others, key regional leaders including the EAC representatives, as well as by LIONS Clubs of Dar es Salaam (there are 2 LIONS Clubs in Dar es Salaam). The TIA and MKU students will continue with online meetings to carry forward their new relationship.
