Japanese Ambassador to Kenya, Hiroshi Matsuura, has commended Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) for its exceptional balance of training, research, and innovation, highlighting the institution’s far-reaching influence at the grassroots level.
Amb. Matsuura singled out the in-country training program supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), noting that it is instrumental in translating research into practical solutions for the communities that need them most.
“I am very impressed by the balance the university has achieved in the core areas of training and research. JKUAT’s research edge makes a compelling case on the global map,” said Amb. Matsuura.
Amb. Matsuura was speaking when he paid a courtesy call on the JKUAT Vice Chancellor, Prof. Victoria Wambui Ngumi on Friday, May 9, 2025. He was accompanied by Japanese ambassador to UNESCO Takehiro Karo among other top JICA officials.
JKUAT Council Chair, Dr. James Micah Onsando, welcomed Amb. Matsuura’s visit as a symbol of enduring partnership between Kenya and Japan.
He reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to foster a research-driven culture, working closely with the university’s leadership to transform scientific breakthrough into commercially viable products.
“The university council is ambitious and we are currently working on commercially feasible products. Our goal is to turn JKUAT into a formidable institution, even in these tough economic times,” said Dr. Onsando.
Dr. Onsando further disclosed that the Council is working on identifying a flagship commercial product, comparable in impact and appeal to a mobile phone, that can attract significant investment and reposition the university’s financial outlook.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Victoria Wambui Ngumi, underscored Dr. Onsando’s sentiments in her presentation by highlighting JKUAT’s status as a university in Kenya with the highest number of registered patents.
She expressed her gratitude to the Government of Japan for its consistent support to the University, emphasizing the catalytic role the collaboration has played in internationalizing the university’s academic and research engagements.
“Our partnership with Japan has not only strengthened our research capacity but also opened up opportunities for collaboration with leading universities across Japan and Africa,” Prof. Ngumi noted.
Deputy Vice Chancellors Prof. Robert Kinyua (Academic Affairs), Prof. Bernard Ikua (Administration and Finance), and Prof. Jackson Kwanza (Research, Production and Extension) also made key presentations during the visit, each highlighting the strategic role their respective divisions play in advancing JKUAT’s mission.
