MKU SIGNS PARTNERSHIP DEAL WITH NORTHERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY
29/05/2014
Mount Kenya University (MKU) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Northern Kentucky University from the USA. The MoU will see the two universities expand scholarly ties, facilitate academic cooperation and promote mutual understanding.
The MoU comes hot on the heels of another working agreement MKU signed with the University of Cincinnati, and Xavier University, also from the USA.
MKU Vice Chancellor Prof. Stanley Waudo said the partnerships are part of the university’s quest to benchmark itself against the best in the world. “The MoUs give us the opportunity to be mentored and elevated to the level of the world’s best universities,” he said during the signing ceremony held at MKU Thika Main Campus. “There is a lot of potential especially in joint research and funding.”
During the signing ceremony, MKU was represented by the Vice Chancellor, Deputy Vice Chancellors Prof John Nderitu (Research and Development), Mr Peter Waweru (Finance, Administration and Planning), Prof Chegge Mungai (Student Welfare and Marketing), Ms Bibiane Waiganjo (Academic Affairs), Deans of Schools, and several Academic Heads. Northern Kentucky University was represented by Dr Peter Gitau, Vice President, Student Affairs, Andra R. Ward, Member of Board of Regents, and Prof Lenore J. Kinne, Assistant Chair for Graduate Programmes.
“Northern Kentucky University shares MKU’s vision of being a globally engaged university,” said Dr Gitau. “Higher education is changing dramatically and we will intentionally engage our colleagues to ensure this MoU is implemented to fruition.”
The two universities will promote and develop academic cooperation as follows:
- Exchange of teaching and research personnel
- Development of joint research and/or technological research projects
- Exchange of students
- Any other activity of mutual interest regarding academic or scientific and technological research matters.
Prof Kimathi Kigatiira, Dean, MKU School of Medicine said the partnership was timely especially now that the school is preparing to admit the pioneer class of students in September. MKU was recently accredited by the Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board to offer Degree courses in Medicine and Surgery. It followed successful completion of the General Kago Anatomy Lab constructed in partnership with the Thika Level 5 Hospital. Dr Edwin Odhuno, Dean, MKU School of Business said the partnership will come in handy especially in editing of research publications.
Dr Kimamo Githui, Dean, MKU School of Education said the partnership will help build capacity of teachers thus enabling them to serve in any part of the world.
Northern Kentucky University was founded in 1968. It has a student population of about 16,000. Recently, it received US$97 million (Ksh8.5 billion) from the State of Kentucky to build a Health Innovation Centre that will focus on the community. The centre will prepare “the next generation of allied health and psychology professionals to meet the challenges of a 21st century healthcare workplace.” More or less like the MKU School of Medicine.
