Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) has partnered with the University of Manchester (UoM) and the Centre for Innovative Leadership and Governance (CLIG) to accelerate the advancement of women into senior leadership positions.
The initiative is structured to enhance governance, strengthen institutional decision-making, and build leadership capacity across the university.
The programme positions JKUAT as a leading example of how higher education institutions in Africa can integrate international expertise to develop leaders who influence policy, drive research, and shape institutional strategy.
It is a deliberate move aimed at embedding inclusive leadership as a core principle of organizational development.
The collaboration is anchored in the Senior Women’s Leadership Development Programme under the UK–Kenya Gender Equality Project, supported by the British Council.
It combines structured mentorship, institutional support, and targeted career progression to ensure participants transition effectively into decision-making roles.
During a visit to JKUAT on March 19, 2026, a 17-member delegation drawn from the UoM and CLIG, together with JKUAT researchers and university management, assessed the programme’s impact.
JKUAT Vice Chancellor, Prof. Victoria Wambui Ngumi stated that women now constitute 53 percent of JKUAT’s staff, surpassing the constitutional gender threshold, a milestone recognized by the National Gender and Equality Commission.
“Through this partnership, we have strengthened leadership capacity, fostered inclusive academic environments, and empowered women to assume transformative roles,” she said.
Prof. Ngumi noted that the programme aligns with her vision for internationalization, complementing other global partnerships in which JKUAT has participated, reinforcing the university’s commitment to building a globally engaged, competitive academic institution.
Prof. Olive M. Mugenda, founder of CLIG, described the initiative as building a sustainable pipeline of leaders capable of driving institutional and societal change.
She emphasized that long-term partnerships with global institutions are critical for developing leadership that addresses complex challenges such as gender equality and inclusive governance.
Prof. Mugenda lauded JKUAT management led by Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ngumi, for the proactive leadership in strengthening JKUAT’s academic excellence across key areas, including Engineering, Agriculture, Technology, and Architecture, among others.
Prof. Rachel Cowen of the University of Manchester, highlighted the programme’s strategic focus. “This collaboration is about establishing enduring systems that embed equality and excellence across leadership, research, and institutional processes,” she said.
Prof. Cowen emphasized expanding collaboration with JKUAT into additional areas of mutual interest, highlighting a key point of alignment with Prof. Ngumi.
Together, they are constituting a team of researchers to identify and prioritize potential areas for joint partnership.
Dr. Susan Mambo, the programme’s Principal Investigator at JKUAT, was lauded by the visiting partners for her key role in translating international leadership frameworks into practical initiatives, mentoring women, and strengthening pathways for professional growth and career advancement within the university.
The initiative is expanding into joint research, co-supervision of postgraduate students, and the integration of emerging fields such as artificial intelligence into leadership and academic programmes.
The partners noted that the programme exemplifies a forward-looking strategy: universities that leverage global partnerships, inclusive governance, and technological innovation will define the next era of higher education leadership.
