Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) in collaboration with the Smart Manufacturing Engineering Education for Knowledge Economy (SME2KE) initiative, organized a capacity-building workshop aimed at strengthening the University’s internationalization of education and research.
The workshop, co-funded by the European Union, was strategically designed to enhance academic mobility, foster joint research and dual-degree partnerships, strengthen industry linkages and accelerate the commercialization of research outputs within a global knowledge economy framework.
The event, held on Wednesday, 25 February 2026 at the IPiC Building at JKUAT, brought together over 30 faculty members, researchers, postgraduate students, and institutional leaders, who engaged in high-level discussions on international research consortia, grant acquisition strategies, industry co-creation models, and mechanisms for translating research into market-ready innovations.
The workshop also covered key thematic areas, including International Mobility Management, Grant Management for International Mobility Programs, and the Internationalization of Curricula, critical components in advancing JKUAT’s global academic integration.
Speaking during the opening session, Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Prof. George Thiong’o, described the initiative as a significant step toward positioning JKUAT as a globally competitive institution.
He emphasized that structured international engagement, strategic partnerships, and strengthened grant management systems are essential to expanding the University’s global footprint while enhancing the quality and relevance of its academic and research outputs.
“This event marks an important step in deepening our international collaborations, strengthening institutional capacity, and aligning our academic and research agenda with global standards,” said Prof. Thiong’o.
He further underscored the importance of equipping staff with the necessary tools and institutional frameworks, noting that this would lay a solid foundation for increased academic mobility, enhanced competitiveness in grant acquisition and impactful research commercialization.
The Principal, College of Engineering and Technology, Prof. Hiram Ndiritu, in his presentation on “International Mobility Management,” emphasized the need for structured coordination of inbound and outbound mobility programs.
Prof. Hiram highlighted the importance of clear policy frameworks, strategic partner selection, and efficient administrative systems to ensure sustainable and mutually beneficial international engagements.
“Mobility projects are crucial in ensuring our staff and students are continuously upskilled and exposed to diverse academic, research, and industry environments. Such engagements enhance knowledge transfer, foster innovation, and strengthen our institutional capacity to compete globally,” Prof. Hiram noted.
Mr. Philip Oyier of JKUAT and one of the participants, acknowledged the critical role of internationalization in institutions of higher learning. He noted that global engagement enhance cultural exchange, improves academic quality, broadens research collaboration opportunities, and strengthens institutional competitiveness.
He further said, the workshop provided an important platform for researchers and faculty members to engage meaningfully in advancing JKUAT’s internationalization agenda and reinforcing its position within the global academic and innovation ecosystem.
Through the SME2KE initiative, a consortium of nine partner universities from Africa and Europe are working together to strengthen collaboration in smart manufacturing education and research.
To date, 16 academic staff have been trained in digital manufacturing, while over 200 postgraduate students have benefited from the initiative through its online learning platform, enhancing capacity in emerging technologies and applied research.
