By KURIAN MUSA
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Egerton University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Isaac Kibwage, has attended the Leadership Training Programme for Vice Chancellors and Centre Leaders under the ACE II Project in Nairobi.
Egerton University is one of the Africa Centres of Excellence (ACE II). The Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Agriculture and Agribusiness Management (CESAAM) at Egerton is led by Prof. George Owuor.
The training programme was officially opened by Prof. Gaspard Banyankimbona, Executive Secretary of the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA). The event is funded by the World Bank.
Prof. Banyankimbona told participants that the programme is not just another training course. He called it a “call to action” and a meeting of transformative leaders at a critical moment for higher education in East and Southern Africa.
“We meet at a time when the promise of excellence through our Centres of Excellence is an ongoing journey,” he said.
The ACE II Project has made significant progress. It has established and strengthened 29 Centres across 18 universities in 8 countries. Nearly 10,000 postgraduate students have been trained. These include 1,852 PhD candidates and 7,616 Master’s students.
Close to 5,000 research papers have been produced in globally recognised journals. Of these, 4,229 have already been published. The Centres have also generated over $47.5 million in external revenue.
Academic staff qualifications have improved. In addition, 39 academic programmes have received international accreditation, mainly through leading European agencies.
Prof. Banyankimbona said this progress is only the beginning. He reminded leaders that building world-class, development-oriented universities in Africa requires more than infrastructure and publications.
“It demands visionary leaders who can align academic excellence with national priorities, transform research into practical solutions, and mobilize resources, political will, and public trust,” he said.
The training brings together Vice Chancellors, Centre leaders, and key stakeholders. They will engage in leadership modules, discussions, and peer-learning sessions. The aim is to strengthen management, governance, and strategic leadership in universities across the region.
Egerton University, through CESAAM, continues to play a key role in agricultural transformation. The Centre has trained specialists in agribusiness and food security. It also collaborates with regional and international partners.
Prof. Kibwage’s participation reflects Egerton’s commitment to the ACE II vision. The University remains central in research, innovation, and leadership in higher education.
