The Director of the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM), Prof. Patrick Okori, paid a courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Prof. Victoria Wambui Ngumi, on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
The visit was part of his engagement with leaders of RUFORUM’s founding member universities and partners across Africa.
Welcoming the Director, Prof. Ngumi reaffirmed that JKUAT remains an active member of RUFORUM and values the long-standing partnership. She noted that the university’s strong agricultural foundation continues to inspire research, adding that sustained support from partners such as RUFORUM has strengthened quality and contributed to producing graduates who are highly sought after across sectors.
Discussions focused on key issues affecting higher education in Kenya and across Africa, particularly the role of universities in driving development. Emphasis was placed on aligning education systems to support youth empowerment, job creation, industrialization, and sustainable development; given that universities host a significant proportion of Africa’s intellectual capital.
Prof. Okori indicated that RUFORUM is keen to pilot new strategies with JKUAT, citing the University’s leadership in fields such as Food Science Technology, and Engineering. These strategies include strengthening university–industry linkages to ensure that innovations emerging from academic institutions address real-world challenges.
He also emphasized the need to support young people outside the university system, particularly those in technical and vocational education and training (TVET), as part of a broader, inclusive approach to skills development.
Notably, JKUAT’s leadership, represented by Deputy Vice Chancellors Prof. Robert Kinyua (Academic Affairs), Prof. Jackson Kwanza (Research, Production and Extension), and Prof. Hiram Ndiritu (Principal, College of Engineering and Technology), affirmed that the University is already implementing initiatives aligned with this vision.
These initiatives include the establishment of a TVET Institute at the Karen Campus; the development of curricula that require students to generate innovations before graduation; support for staff-driven innovations that are patented and market-ready; participation in intra-Africa mobility programmes for both staff and students; and the adoption of industry advisory boards, largely comprising alumni in managerial positions, among others.
In addition, JKUAT is advancing Competency-Based Education (CBE) through the AgrCBE project led by Prof. Losenge Turop, Director of the Pan African University Institute for Basic Sciences, Technology and Innovation (PAUSTI). The initiative is building faculty capacity in CBE delivery and assessment as the University prepares to admit its first cohort under the framework in 2029.
JKUAT joined RUFORUM 20 years ago and, through this partnership, continues to make significant research contributions in the region. This is particularly evident within the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (COANRE), which has benefited from RUFORUM’s support in areas such as research methods, food science, and nutrition through scholarships and research funding
The support has strengthened the University’s capacity to generate solutions that enhance food security, improve nutrition, and support sustainable agricultural development.
