A high level delegation representing the Japanese Government drawn from the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, paid a courtesy call on the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) Vice Chancellor, Prof. Victoria Wambui Ngumi on Thursday, May 22, 2025 at the institution’s main campus in Juja.
The visit sought to strengthen bilateral cooperation in areas of higher education, research, and technological development as well as to explore more opportunities for collaboration between JKUAT and Japanese institutions.
The discussions centred on ongoing and future partnerships, particularly in the fields of agriculture, engineering, and innovation, where Japan and Kenya have shared longstanding mutual interests.
Welcoming the delegation to the university, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Victoria Ngumi stated that JKUAT is very keen to continue and to strengthen her long-standing partnership with Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The Vice Chancellor acknowledged the invaluable role that JICA has played over the years in supporting the upskilling of students and staff, advancing research and innovation, and contributing significantly, to infrastructural development at JKUAT.
“JICA has been instrumental in shaping JKUAT into a regional hub for science, technology, and innovation. We are eager to deepen this collaboration, particularly in the fields of agriculture and engineering, where both Kenya and Japan share mutual interest,” said Prof. Ngumi.
With JKUAT borne out of the historic partnership between the Government of Kenya and Japan, Prof. Ngumi further added that the university remains a living testimony of the enduring friendship and shared vision between the two nations.
Mr. Chishiro Matsumoto, Director for Budget (Cabinet, Digital, Reconstruction, Foreign Affairs, and Economic Cooperation Division), Budget Bureau, Ministry of Finance, reaffirmed Japan’s enduring ties with Kenya.
He further lauded JKUAT’s role in advancing science, technology, and innovation, noting that the university exemplifies the kind of sustainable and impactful development Japan aims to support across Africa.
Mr. Matsumoto further expressed his admiration for the progress made at JKUAT through the Kenya-Japan collaboration, noting Japan’s strong interest to continue and expand the partnership.
“I am thrilled to see various projects supported by the Government of Japan thriving at JKUAT. This university stands as a shining example of what long-term, strategic partnerships can achieve. We look forward to deepening this relationship and exploring more impactful areas of cooperation,” said Matsumoto.
