Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) hosted a delegation from KU Leuven (Catholic University of Leuven) and Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Free University of Brussels)under the Legume Centre of Excellence for Food and Nutrition Security (LCEFONS). The team paid a courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Victoria Ngumi.
The annual meeting was convened to brief the University Management on the progress of the project’s second phase covering 2022–2027 period.
The VLIR-UOS (Flemish Interuniversity Council – University Development Cooperation) funded initiative is a collaboration between JKUAT, KU Leuven, and Vrije Universiteit Brussel(Free University of Brussels). It is an interdepartmental and interdisciplinary programme focusing on different stages of the legume value chain from agricultural production, postharvest storage, and food processing to human consumption and its impact on nutrition and health.
During Phase I (2018-2022), the project saw the successful graduation of six PhD students and ten MSc students. Building on these milestones, Phase II has already commenced with the recruitment of eight new doctoral candidates.
To date, the project has also produced about 19 publications, underscoring its role in advancing research, capacity building, and knowledge sharing in food and nutrition security.
Speaking during the visit, Vice Chancellor Prof. Victoria Ngumi welcomed the Belgian partners and commended the collaboration for its tangible milestones.
The Vice Chancellor noted that the project is aligned with her leadership vision of transforming JKUAT into a research university, citing the establishment of four new state-of-the-art laboratories; the graduation of postgraduate students in Phase I; and the recruitment of new doctoral candidates in Phase II.
Prof. Ngumi further reflected on her longstanding engagement with the project since its inception in 2016, including her 2024 visit to Belgium where she engaged counterparts on patents, commercialization of research outputs, and student exchange programmes.
She emphasized that the project is addressing real household challenges in Kenya, such as taste and high energy costs associated with legumes.
“With the many publications arising from the project, JKUAT’s research visibility continues to grow both locally and regionally. The University Management is committed to supporting the project through financial and technical facilitation, while assuring stakeholders of continued partnership and collaboration,” said Prof. Ngumi.
Prof. Christophe Matthys, who led the Belgian delegation, underscored the importance of the project in mentoring young researchers and providing them with the skills and opportunities to contribute to global food and nutrition security.
He lauded the strong partnership between JKUAT and the Belgian universities, noting that such collaborations are critical in addressing shared challenges and building sustainable solutions.
Prof. Matthys further emphasized the need to integrate graduates arising from the project into the University system to ensure their expertise continues to strengthen JKUAT’s research capacity and foster long-term impact beyond the project’s lifespan.
The delegation will also hold a series of meetings at JKUAT with various stakeholders as part of their annual planning and monitoring activities.
