The Executive Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs at the State University of New York (SUNY), Dr. Melur Ramasubramanian, led a high-profile delegation to Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) on July 14, 2025, for critical discussions aimed at strengthening academic ties between the two institutions through innovation, research, and student exchange programs.
Dr. Melur Ramasubramanian highlighted SUNY’s ongoing initiative to deepen partnerships with African universities, emphasizing its role in fostering global academic excellence.
“Our initiative lays the groundwork for stronger international collaborations, creating opportunities for student exchanges, joint research, and capacity building. By integrating project-based learning, we aim to bridge theory and practice, equipping students with skills that meet the demands of the 21st-century job market,” stated Dr Melur.
He further stressed the importance of technology transfer and innovation pathways, ensuring students gain hands-on experience and industry-relevant competencies.
Prof. Robert Kinyua, the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic at JKUAT, while representing the JKUAT Vice Chancellor, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to internationalization through strategic partnerships.
“Our institution has always embraced collaborations that drive growth in research and innovation. Such partnerships not only enhance our academic offerings but also align our students with global market needs. These collaboration discussions with SUNY opens new avenues for knowledge exchange, faculty development, and cutting-edge research,” Prof. Kinyua stated.
Prof. Kinyua further disclosed that similar talks had taken place with one of the SUNY campuses, the University of Buffalo School of Management and the JKUAT School of Business and Entrepreneurship to foster business innovation and entrepreneurship development between the two schools.
The discussion identified several promising areas for collaboration, including facility development to enhance academic and research infrastructure, program development to align curricula with global standards, and joint research and innovation initiatives to address pressing societal challenges.
Additionally, both institutions agreed to explore robust student and faculty exchange programs, fostering cross-cultural learning and expertise sharing. These collaborative efforts aim to create a dynamic academic ecosystem that benefits both JKUAT and SUNY while contributing to broader educational and technological advancements.
The Executive Vice Chancellor was also accompanied by three Presidents from SUNY campuses: Dr. Winston Soboyejo, Prof. Peter Nwosu and Dr.Stephen Kolison from SUNY Polytechnic Institute, Oswego and Fredonia, respectively. Other institution members present included Dr. Joshua McKeown and Wayne Westervelt.
JKUAT Management members present during the discussions included, Deputy Vice Chancellors; Prof. Bernard Ikua (Finance and Administration) and Dr. (Eng) Hiram Nderitu (RPE) as well as Prof. Kibet Langat (Director, JKUAT Industrial Park).
