The implementation of the second phase of the Africa-ai-JAPAN Project, will be extended by six months, ending November 2025. The project which is an initiative supported by the Government of Japan, through JICA has been implemented since 2014. Its key objective is to consolidate strong research environment for JKUAT to effectively host the Pan African University Institute for Basic Sciences, Technology and Innovation (PAUSTI).
News about the extension of the Project was revealed by Mr. Daisuke Ueda, JICA Deputy Director General in charge of higher education during a courtesy call on JKUAT Vice Chancellor, Prof. Victoria Wambui Ngumi.
The official noted that JKUAT had emerged as a great asset for Kenya and Africa; and a strong symbol of Nairobi’s development partnership with Tokyo. He added that Japan was happy to be the lead thematic partner for PAUSTI, a graduate training facility that aims to support Africa’s development through research and cultural amity.
Daisuke noted that JICA strongly supports the social implementation of the Africa-ai-JAPAN Project research results as a way of contributing to socioeconomic transformation of Kenya through thematic value chains.
The official also revealed that JICA would be happy to support the third phase of the Project which would involve creating strong partnerships between African and Japanese Universities while fostering inclusion of Japanese industries in the cooperation matrix.
While receiving the official to JKUAT, acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Robert Kinyua lauded the strong JICA support which he said, had catapulted the institution to the league of top universities in Kenya and Africa.
“Currently, we are admitting nearly 8000 new students. When parents and students visit us, they are impressed by the quality of learning facilities and the enabling learning environment, thanks to JICA support,” Prof. Kinyua said.
Prof. Kinyua who is also the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs added that the strong research foundation at JKUAT had also enabled PAUSTI students to produce high quality research results, relevant to the economic development of Africa.
Kinyua welcomed additional JICA support through the Africa-ai-JAPAN Project and other avenues to further enable both JKUAT and PAUSTI to effectively discharge their mandate.
Also present at the meeting were: Simon Kariuki from JICA Kenya office; Prof. Jackson Kwanza, acting Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research, Production and Extension; Prof. Daniel Sila, acting Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration and Finance, and Prof. Hiroshi Koaze, Africa-ai-JAPAN Project Chief advisor among others.
