The Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) hosted faculty and students from Gwynedd Mercy University, United States, for a three-day academic exchange programme beginning August 3, 2026.
The exchange brought together participants from diverse fields of rehabilitation and healthcare, including Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Speech Therapy, Nursing, Public Health and Medical Social Work.
The programme provided an opportunity for faculty and students from both institutions to share knowledge and experiences, explore advanced clinical techniques and emerging rehabilitation practices, and strengthen interdisciplinary learning.
The exchange also seeks to enhance clinical competencies while laying a foundation for sustained academic and institutional collaboration between JKUAT and Gwynedd Mercy University.
Welcoming the participants, the Principal of the College of Health Sciences (COHES), Dr. Reuben Thuo, emphasized the importance of international partnerships in creating cross-cultural learning opportunities and broadening students’ exposure to different approaches in healthcare education and practice.
He noted that such collaborations open up opportunities for students and faculty from both institutions to learn from one another and strengthen their professional capabilities.
“I am impressed by the vision that has brought our two institutions together with the aim of fostering interdisciplinary learning, research and capacity building. We look forward to strengthening this partnership with Gwynedd Mercy University and creating even more opportunities for our students and faculty to learn, innovate, make a meaningful impact in rehabilitation sciences,”Dr.Thuo said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Wallace Karuguti Head of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, emphasized the value of such collaborations in strengthening teaching and learning. He noted that while occupational therapy may be practiced similarly worldwide, “the way it is delivered to a learner may determine how that person will practice when they qualify.” He added that exposure to different teaching approaches enhances learning, expressing the department’s enthusiasm for continuing its collaboration with Gwynedd Mercy University.
The programme coordinator, Dr. Daniel Kariuki, an Occupational Therapy lecturer at JKUAT, lauded the success of the exchange, noting that it provides an important platform for strengthening rehabilitation education and practice.
“This exchange programme is a deliberate effort towards building capacity and fostering sustainable partnerships in rehabilitation education,” said Dr. Kariuki.
Representing Gwynedd Mercy University, Occupational Therapist Ms. Rachel Shoener underscored the value of international collaboration in advancing healthcare education and practice. She noted that the shared principles of rehabilitation care across different settings provide a strong foundation for international partnerships, while differences in healthcare systems and resources create opportunities for institutions to learn from one another and drive innovation.
“Our role is to treat and support patients who need rehabilitative care to recover or adapt to their environment. To do this more effectively, we must work together to improve the quality of care we provide. The way we treat our patients is fundamentally the same, even though our environments are different. We can learn so much from one another,” said Ms. Shoener.
The interactive sessions featured practical demonstrations on fascial stretching techniques, pelvic breathing exercises, women’s health, mental health management, functional independence and assistive technology applications, including splinting techniques.
The sessions also included holistic approaches to patient care and the therapeutic role of healthcare professionals, while students had opportunities to share experiences and engage with their counterparts from the United States.
Participants described the exchange as welcoming, inspiring and enriching, highlighting the opportunity to gain new perspectives and practical skills. The Gwynedd Mercy University team, led by Occupational Therapist Mindy Wojton, also commended JKUAT’s rehabilitation training facilities, particularly its specialized wheelchair training laboratory.
“This institution’s investment in quality rehabilitation facilities is a clear demonstration of the University’s commitment to excellence in rehabilitative healthcare training,” said Ms. Wojton.
Beyond the classroom, the visiting team toured key JKUAT facilities supporting rehabilitation training, including the Wheelchair Service and Learning Centre. The team also visited the Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE), a key partner in rehabilitation education and training.
