Egerton University hosted dons from Virginia Tech University from United States of America in a meeting that took place at the Main Campus, Njoro, Nakuru County, Kenya.
In a move that saw a raft of issues discussed, the Deputy Vice Chancellor In charge of Academics, Research and Extension Professor Bernard Aduda led the discussions during the courtesy call at the Vice Chancellors Board room. They engaged in discussions aimed at fostering academic collaboration and mutual growth between the two institutions.
Professor Aduda highlighted Egerton University's rich history since its establishment in 1939, underscoring its ten faculties and directorates.
While acknowledging Virginia Tech University's longer tenure in academia, Professor Aduda emphasized the significance of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the two institutions, signalling a shared commitment to academic prosperity enriched by diverse cultural and geographical backgrounds.
Prof. Aduda welcomed the scholars led by Ben Grove (Virginia Co-operative Extension-Virginia Tech), Tom Thompson (College of Agriculture and life science -Virginia Tech), Patricia Rain (Centre for Communicating Science - Virginia Tech), and Dickson Otieno (College of Agriculture and life Science -Virginia Tech). The guests suggested that they had visited the University to deepen ties and open areas of collaboration to all other Faculties (10) of Egerton University.
Holding brief for Vice Chancellor Prof. Isaac Kibwage who was away on official duties, Professor Aduda expressed the university's eagerness to collaborate across faculties. He highlighted the importance of supporting the university's academic infrastructure, particularly the aging Crops Horticulture and Soils Laboratories, constructed during the university's nascent years.
"We are striving to transition from project-based research to ensuring sustainable impacts on stakeholders," remarked Professor Aduda, noting Dickson Otieno's status as an alumnus of Egerton University pursuing a PhD at Virginia Tech as a testament to the enduring relationship between the two institutions.
Dr. Nduku and Prof. Mwonga guided the Virginia Tech team through Egerton University's facilities, offering insights into the academic environment and ongoing initiatives.
The collaboration between Egerton University and Virginia Tech University has already yielded fruitful outcomes, particularly in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, facilitated by the Center of Excellence for Sustainable Agriculture and Agribusiness Management (CESAAM). Joint activities have included faculty exchanges, proposal development, and program evaluation.
The MOU signed on October 22, 2019, underscores the commitment to training, research, consultancy, and extension in various disciplines, including Agriculture and Natural Resources, Agribusiness, Fisheries, Marine and Ocean Research, Engineering and Information Technology, among others.
Notably, Egerton University's participation in the launch of the Global Agricultural Productivity (GAP) Report in Washington DC in October 2022 further solidified the collaboration. Vice Chancellor Prof. Isaac Kibwage's keynote speech during the launch emphasized lessons learned in Agricultural Extension and Outreach, setting the stage for deeper research and capacity-building partnerships.
The CALS Symposium, themed "Extension and Community Engaged Higher Education; Lessons from Kenya, Uganda, Senegal, and the US," underscored the resolve to deepen collaborative efforts in research and outreach in agriculture, with a joint commitment to fundraising for sustainable initiatives.
By Kurian Musa
Communication Officer
Directorate of Marketing and Resource Mobilization
Egerton University.
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