Officials from the Portuguese firm JP Sá Couto on Tuesday September 24, 2024 paid a courtesy call on Vice Chancellor, Prof. Victoria Wambui Ngumi to discuss possible partnership areas. The delegation that was led by the company’s Board chairperson, Jorge Sá Couto was received at the University by the acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Robert Kinyua and Council Chairperson, Dr. James Onsando.

In his welcoming remarks, Dr. Onsando noted that JKUAT was open to strategic and productive partnerships with industry players, including international companies like JP Sá Couto. He added that the University was keen on partnerships that can promote technology and knowledge transfer into Kenya; while also building JKUAT’s capabilities in teaching, research and community service.

On his part, Prof. Robert Kinyua informed the visiting team that JKUAT had a history of undertaking key government level national projects within ICT, agriculture, engineering and health sectors. He added that through international partnerships, JKUAT was able to adopt global best practices in implementation of national projects such as the roll out of the digital learning programme and the national census.

While introducing his company, Jorge Sá Couto said that thy had consolidated good experience in the domain of technology, with a focus on education. He added that JKUAT’s track record in the fields of engineering and technology – including implementation of priority state programmes made the university a choice partner in the country.

Jorge said that his organization was keen to promote knowledge and experience exchanges with JKUAT including on adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) labs in the country.

Prof. Jackson Kwanza, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research, Production and Extension under whose docket oversees partnerships said JKUAT was ready to explore areas of collaboration with JP Sá Couto. He added that technology inclusion is one partnership pathway that the Portuguese firm could consider in the discussions with JKUAT.

The meeting was also addressed by JKUAT Industrial Park Managing Director, Prof. Kibet Langat who noted that JP Sá Couto’s strengths in product development and large scale project implementation makes the company an idea partner in the domain of digital devices assembly and deployment.