A delegation from the Kiphart Center for Global Health and Social Development at the University of Chicago, on Wednesday July 9, visited Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) to explore potential areas of collaboration in the medical field. Led by the Centre’s Executive Director Mr. Erick Amick, the team was received at JKUAT by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs, Prof. Robert Kinyua, on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Victoria Wambui Ngumi.
Prof. Kinyua welcomed the partnership with University of Chicago, noting that JKUAT has over the years thrived on strategic partnerships – leveraging internationalization to advance academic and research excellence. He affirmed that JKUAT is a reputable collaborator, globally recognized for its strengths in niche training areas such as health, engineering, technology and agriculture, among others.
Mr. Amick expressed his enthusiasm for forging a synergistic partnership aimed at addressing pressing global health challenges. He highlighted that his institution’s strengths lie in training, research, incubation, and community development; areas that align seamlessly with JKUAT’s mandate.
Even as the two institutions work towards formalizing their cooperation, both staff and student exchanges area already underway. Three students from University of Chicago are currently in Kenya in a exchange programme involving JKUAT and the Kenya National Public Health Institute (KNPHI).
Similarly, JKUAT, University of Chicago, KNPHI and Indiana University have teamed up to organize a scientific conference to held in June 2026.
In March this year, a team from JKUAT, led by the Principal of the College of Health Sciences, Dr. Reuben Thuo, undertook an exchange visit to the University of Chicago.
Dr. Amick who also serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Health Sciences, within the Biological Sciences Division was accompanied to JKUAT by Jessica Darrow, Associate Instructional Professor at the University of Chicago
Prof. Darrow emphasized the role of global collaborations in solving shared health and development challenges.
Dr. Thuo said that the University of Chicago partnership would be a powerful north-south cooperation with potential to aid two-way diffusion of ideas, technologies and resources in the global health space.
