As per the agreement, the collaboration will among others things, promote joint research activities, publications, source for research funding and provide internships and job opportunities for students. In addition, the cooperation agreement will see the two institutions conduct breeding work and potato trials at the College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences (CAVS) fields and engage staff and students in building research through exchange programmes and short courses.
CIP is an international organization mandated to work with partners to achieve food security, well-being, and gender equity for poor people in root and tuber farming and food systems in the developing world. This is done through research and innovation in science, technology, and capacity strengthening.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Peter Mbithi welcomed the initiative saying that the University is keen on strategic partnerships that will promote its core business which is teaching and research. He noted that through the partnership, CIP and UoN will embark on a rigorous programme that will ensure research output that improves the lives of Kenyans particularly in food and commerce for farmers. Prof. Mbithi welcomed the proposal by CIP to enhance the University’s teaching curriculum by providing professionals on potato crop to teach at the crop science department. In order to diversify teaching and research, the University will pursue and implement the honorary and visiting professors programme. To this end, student mentorships through sound and well delivered curriculum within a framework of values will be realized.
CIP’s Regional Operations Director, Dr. Adiel Mbabu said that in order to realize its vision of improving the lives of the poor through research of roots and tubers, the organization needs support from key institutions such as the University of Nairobi. Dr. Mbabu highlighted the importance of importance of research in the development of a nation saying that research can be abstract but it needs to be contextualized.
Prof. Lucy Irungu, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research ,Production and Extension, Prof. Henry Mutoro, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic Affairs, Prof. Agnes Mwang’ombe, Principal, CAVS, Prof. Bernard Aduda, Principal, College of Biological and Physical Sciences, Prof. John Kimenju, Dean, Faculty of Agriculture and Prof. Julius Mwabora, Chairman, Department of Physics.
Dr. Adiel Mbabu, Regional Operations Director, CIP and Prof. Peter Mbithi, Vice-Chancellor exchange signed copies of the MOU.
This press release was originally released by the University of Nairobi: http://www.uonbi.ac.ke/node/8755