VC Attends 2nd Edition of Kenya Day in France

French universities are keen on establishing collaborative initiatives in areas of education, research and training with the Technical University of Kenya (TU-K).

This was disclosed during the 2nd Edition of Campus France-Kenya Day, held recently in Paris, France. TU-K held discussions with French education leaders and representatives of nine universities.

The institutions included CNRS -FrenchNational Scientific Research institution that works jointly with universities and researchers worldwide.Others were;EISTI, Isara, Universite’ de Bourgone, EFREI, Universite’ Paris-Saclay, Universite’ de Lille, EPF Ecolede D’enginieur-E-S,and France Langue and Toulouse Business School.

Collaborations will focus on exchanging profiles of the university professors and researchers from which, CNRS would identify research partners.

The University further intends to establish MoUs to focus on post graduate training and also to seek funding from ERUSMUS to support staff development programme.

TU-K would be interested in establishing collaborative frameworks in areas of film studies, engineering and technology.

The TU-K team led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Francis Aduol, included Prof. Bernard Odera, Director, School of Mechanical and Process Engineering, and Mr. Cosmas Kanyadudi, Executive Officer, Office of the Vice-Chancellor.

Presentations were made on topical issues around the long standing diplomatic relationship between Kenya and France and mainly focused on Technical and Higher Educational Partnerships.TU-K is spearheading technical training in the country.

The University’s working relationship with France dates back to 2016. TU-K was represented in the first edition of Kenya Day, helld in Paris, France. The event brought together Directors of International Relations and Linkages from various French Universities, Research Centres and TVET institutions.

TU-K is working closely with the Embassy of France in Nairobi and has on several occasions hosted the leaders of the mission including the Head of Cooperation and Cultural Affairs Department Mr. Cyril Gerardonand.

And during the meeting it was agreed that TU-K will invite the French Embassy in Nairobi to make a presentation on the opportunities in establishing and using joint laboratories with CNRS.

ISARA will find ways of offering scholarships to TU-K junior staff for further studies to support staff development programme.

The team was informed that TU-K would be interested in the English taught programmes of Sustainable Food Systems and Innovation and Entrepreneurship Management at Master’s level.

To strengthen ties in areas of tourism &hospitality, the team noted that TU-K would be establishing partnership to mount French language courses with School of Hospitality and Tourism Management together with the Department of Languages.

TU-K would be keen to establish collaboration in Master of Business Administration in Aerospace and Aviation Systems Management for staff development.

Prof. Francis Aduol and the President of Universite’ Paris Saclay, Prof. Sylvie Retailleau signed Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of TU-K and IUT Cachan respectively.

The ceremony was marked by brief remarks from the leaders of the two universities.

Academic tour of the IUT Cachanfacilities.The team including those from Mombasa were conducted through a tour of the teaching and training facilities of the IUT Cachan. There was consensus that the MoU should facilitate acquisition of similar equipment for TU-K.

TU-K VC and Head of Cooperation, Mr. Cyril Gerardonheld held discussions on the current scholarship opportunities at IUT Cachan.

It was agreed that the French Embassy in Nairobi would consider supporting two students on staff development programme once their admission at IUT Cachan is processed. The students would be placed under the Social Security Programme.

Mr. Goluck Konuko Bags First PG Scholarship Under TU-K Lut Cachan Co-Operation

Following the successful establishment of academic cooperation between TU-K and Universite’ Paris-Saclay, the French Government through the Embassy in Nairobi has granted TU-K opportunities for Postgraduate scholarships.

Under this framework, the two universities will undertake joint curriculum development and delivery. It will involve staff and student exchange in collaborative programmes with emphasis on project learning. This involves students working on projects with practical application as part of their examinable syllabus.

However, of most significance is granting of an initial Masters Scholarship to Mr. Goluck Konuko of School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Mr. Konuko will be joining Universite’ Paris-Saclay in September 2019, to study Master of Multimedia Networking.

The Vice-Chancellor has sent his appreciation to the Embassy of France and further congratulated Mr. Konuko for the award. TUKNEWS wishes him all the best.