In November, a delegation from Kauno kolegija Higher Education Institution – Director Dr Andrius Brusokas, Vice Director for Research and Development Dr Inga Stravinskienė, Dean of the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Technologies Dr Tomas Makaveckas, Project Manager of the Faculty of Business Wilfred Ledoux Tchasse Simo, and Coordinator for Development of International Partnerships, UNINOVIS project manager at Kauno kolegija Jolanta Valiaugienė – visited the University of Nairobi and the Technical University of Mombasa, located in Kenya.
‘The aim of this visit was to strengthen strategic partnerships and identify new opportunities for cooperation in three key areas: expanding applied research activities, launching international projects, and creating more opportunities for staff and student mobility,’ says Dr A. Brusokas.
During the visit, cooperation agreements were signed with both universities, and specific areas for further cooperation in the development of studies, project and applied scientific activities were discussed during meetings with universities’ leaders, deans of faculties and other responsible persons.
‘We had the opportunity to familiarise ourselves with the academic departments of both universities and discuss Kenya’s priorities for the development of higher education. Kauno kolegija already shares established ties with these institutions – project applications are being prepared, and Dr Ezekiel Onyonka Mecha, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology at the University of Nairobi, as well as Hamimah Kadzo Mwandary from the International Relations Department, visited Kauno kolegija during the International Week held in April 2025,’ notes J. Valiaugienė.
An open lecture delivered by Kauno kolegija’s Director, Dr A. Brusokas, titled ‘Lithuanian National Sports Agency: Current State, Challenges and Perspectives’, attracted considerable interest from both students and academics at the University of Nairobi. The insights shared during and after the lecture touched on Kenya’s strategic priorities in the fields of education and sport, and discussions highlighted concrete areas for collaboration in developing Kenyan study programmes and applied research.
Visit to Kenya – a planned outcome of Kauno kolegija’s internationalisation strategy
The visit to Kenyan universities was organised together with a delegation from Kauno kolegija’s strategic partner, Tampere University of Applied Sciences (TAMK) in Finland. As both Kauno kolegija and TAMK are members of the European University Alliance UNINOVIS, the visit also opened doors for broader inter-institutional cooperation. Kenyan universities expressed interest in UNINOVIS and potential involvement in the alliance’s activities.
On the initiative of TAMK, a meeting was held at the Finnish Embassy in Kenya with Consul Matts Weurlander, who works in skills development and job creation, and Meshack Wasiar, Senior Advisor at Business Finland. Discussions focused on current trends and needs in Kenya’s business sector and human capital development.
‘This visit to Kenya represents a planned step in the development of Kauno kolegija’s internationalisation. Strengthening cooperation with African universities is not only provided for in the Director’s five-year programme, but also aligns with European Union (EU) initiatives with African countries, including EU–Africa cooperation in scientific research under programmes such as Horizon Europe, as well as regional development, capacity-building, security, trade and many other areas.
The study and research fields of both Kenyan universities correspond closely with those of Kauno kolegija. The University of Nairobi is a leading institution in Kenya and ranks among the top ten universities in Africa. It plays a significant role in the development of the national higher education system, is open to cooperation with other universities, and actively engages them in partnerships,’ says J. Valiaugienė.
Representatives of Kauno kolegija extend their sincere thanks to Prof. Margaret Jesang Hutchinson, Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nairobi, and Prof. Laila Abubakar, Vice-Chancellor of the Technical University of Mombasa, for the exceptional attention and interest shown during the visit. They also thank the deans of both universities’ faculties and other colleagues for their constructive and open discussions and valuable insights regarding future cooperation.
‘Special thanks go to Dr Ezekiel Onyonka Mecha of the University of Nairobi for the excellently prepared visit agenda, his shared insights and the time he devoted to us, as well as to Prof. Huxley M. Makonde of the Technical University of Mombasa for the warm reception organised,’ adds J. Valiaugienė.
