The African Union delegation and the JKUAT team during the meeting at the Vice Chancellor’s office
Her Excellency, Commissioner for Human Resources, Science and Technology at African Union Commission, Prof. Sarah Anyang’ Agbor has appreciated the support Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) has continued to give the African Union Commission (AUC), since the establishment of the Pan African University Institute for Basic Sciences, Technology and Innovation (PAUSTI) in Kenya.
The Commissioner conveyed a special good will message from the Chairperson, African Union, H.E Moussa Faki Mahamat, to JKUAT community when she paid a courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Victoria Wambui Ngumi on Wednesday, December 17, 2020, on her visit to Kenya to officiate at the PAUSTI graduation ceremony.
The Commissioner noted that PAUSTI is one of the institutions in the PAU system where they have not experienced any issues and African Union attributed that to the “existing mutual collaboration and good working relationship between the JKUAT leadership and PAUSTI.”
She reiterated the significance of Agenda 2063 noting the future is in Science, Technology and Innovation. “There is no way we can achieve the transformation of Africa without tangible investment in STI and R&D,” she noted.
Prof. Agbor was pleased to see what she described as “education and training that is functional and responsive to the needs of the people” after the vice chancellor informed her that JKUAT produces its own yoghurt in various flavors, juices and several innovative food products which Prof. Agbor observed, have greater impact to society.
African Union delegation and the JKUAT hosts after the courtesy call
Prof. Agbor noted that the innovative products brought out the institution’s entrepreneurial strength through the training offered to students.
The Commissioner appealed to the government to invest in universities as JKUAT, whose tangible output is evident and advised policy makers and investors to promote the sector through resources.
She appreciated JKUAT management for seconding a number of teaching and non-teaching staff who have been very supportive of programmes and activities at PAUSTI.
Impressed by the environment and ambience around JKUAT Main Campus where PAUSTI is domiciled, Prof. Agbor said, “Since I started coming here, I always find JKUAT is green,” she told the Vice Chancellor who was accompanied by the Chair of Council, Amb. (Eng.) Mahboub Maalim Mohamed and Deputy Vice Chancellors; Prof. Benard Ikua (Administration) and Prof. Robert Kinyua (Academic Affairs).
The Vice Chancellor thanked the AUC and Pan African University team from for visiting JKUAT and welcomed the existing partnership and collaboration with African Union through PAUSTI.
Prof. Ngumi assured the AU delegation that JKUAT will continue to support PAUSTI in its endeavour that also seeks to deepen the integration of the African continent through higher education and training.
Amb. Maalim further underscored the Vice Chancellor’s sentiments noting, “You cannot make meaningful progress without mutual understanding.”
PAUSTI, based at JKUAT Main Campus, in Kenya.
He lauded PAUSTI for championing cultural diversity and understanding among African youth which he observed, is essential in achieving development across the continent.
The AU Commissioner was accompanied by the Pan African University Rector, Prof. Belay Kassa, Director of Human Resources, Science and Technology at AU Commission, Dr. Mahama Ouedraogo, PAUSTI Director, Prof. Gabriel Magoma as well as the Director of Pan African University Institute for Governance, Humanities and Social Sciences in Cameroon, Prof Elizabeth Abenga.