Six students from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) have been competitively selected to pursue a fully funded Master’s scholarship at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences in Germany, under a joint programme offered through the Erasmus+ partnership between the two institutions.
This collaboration, which took effect in January 2025, is part of JKUAT’s broader drive to internationalize education by promoting collaborative training, academic mobility, and joint research initiatives.
The cohort, which commenced their studies in October 2025, includes Charity Wanjiku, Cynthia Kabuga, Vincent Omondi, and Maureen Njaramba from the Department of Botany, alongside Sandra Anyanje and Sarah Mora from the Department of Zoology. Both departments fall under the School of Biological Sciences, within the College of Pure and Applied Sciences (COPAS).
They join other students from Copperbelt University (Zambia), University of Namibia, Bahir Dar University (Ethiopia), and China University of Geosciences to undertake a Master’s degree in Sustainable Land Management and Conservation.
During a pre-departure briefing at JKUAT the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Prof. George Thiongo, congratulated the students and encouraged them to excel academically while serving as ambassadors of the JKUAT brand. He noted the importance of the initiative in promoting the internationalization of education and research at the University.
“This partnership is a demonstration of the strength of our academic programmes and the calibre of our students,” said Prof. Thiong’o who serves as Principal, COPAS. “Through Erasmus+, our students are gaining invaluable exposure to international learning environments, modern research facilities, and cross-cultural collaboration, experiences that will enrich their academic growth and position them to contribute meaningfully to Kenya’s and Africa’s scientific advancement.”
The meeting was also attended by faculty from the Department of Botany. Dr. Moses Gichua urged the students to leverage the opportunity to build international research linkages that can contribute to sustainable development back home. Similarly, Dr. Shem Kuyah, the coordinator of the partnership, encouraged the students to embrace every experience, explore new ideas, and strive for both personal and professional growth.
The Sustainable Land Management and Conservation programme aims to equip students with advanced knowledge of agroecosystem functioning across diverse world regions, alongside practical skills for nature conservation and sustainable land-use planning. Graduates will be well-prepared to engage with land users, policymakers, and other stakeholders to foster responsible management of natural resources.
Dr. Kuyah underscored the importance of establishing a structured mentorship programme to support continuous academic and professional growth; noting that many students often pursue studies abroad but, without proper guidance, struggle to apply their knowledge or grow their potential once they return home.
“I hope the students can later secure PhD scholarships, because such opportunities are vital in advancing research excellence and nurturing the next generation of African scientists.
