MMUST Hosts Workshop on Value Creation Education to Advance Tripartite Agreement with Japan’s Soka University and the University of Nairobi
Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) is advancing its plans for a tripartite agreement with SOKA University in Japan and the University of Nairobi (UoN). On 17th October 2025, the School of Education (SEDU), through the Department of Education Foundations hosted a workshop on Value Creating Education, which attracted participation from both SOKA University, Japan and UoN. The workshop aimed at strengthening engagements among the three institutions and lead to the official signing of a tripartite agreement that will formalize their joint educational initiatives. The event was graced by the Ag. Deputy Vice Chancellor for Planning, Research and Innovation, Prof. Peter Bukhala, and attended by faculty members from the Department and staff from the Directorate of International Relations and Academic Linkages, led by the Director, Dr. Umulkher Ali.
The Ag. Deputy Vice Chancellor for Planning, Research and Innovation, Prof. Peter Bukhala receives donated books from the Vice President of SOKA University, Prof. Junichi Ida.
Speaking during the event, Prof. Peter Bukhala noted that MMUST believes in collaborations and encourages linkages from all over the world. He highlighted the promising nature of the link with SOKA University, expressing optimism that the partnership will allow MMUST to integrate elements of Japanese culture, particularly its focus on social harmony and communal progress. Prof. Bukhala challenged the SEDU team to expedite the process and formalize the engagement with the two institutions.
“The discussions around value creation education are important. Values, if not internalized by our students and faculty, will remain mere stories. Our goal is to ensure that through this education, we raise generations that are respectful, honorable and accountable in their contributions to society. We are keen to build this relationship with SOKA University and UoN, to establish one unified global network that will work towards improving our lives and elevating the standard of global educational excellence,” said Prof. Bukhala.
Prof. Peter Bukhala addresses the participants during the workshop.
The Vice President of SOKA University, Prof. Junichi Ida expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome and acknowledged MMUST’s current efforts in implementing value creation education. He commended the Department of Education Foundations for their commitment throughout the ongoing series of virtual engagements. Prof. Junichi confirmed that the trio will continue their activities of online academic seminars, webinars, and study sessions, which step by step but assuredly, will advance to formalization of their working agreement.
“We are honored to be here to discuss our next steps and build upon the strong foundation of virtual collaboration already established. While the concept of value creation education remains vague, it is important that lecturers become fully acquainted with its principles. They must lead by example by demonstrating the worth of this philosophy in their various areas, and recognizing that value creation is dynamic and varies depending on the individual, the situation and the time,” remarked Prof. Junichi.
The Vice President of SOKA University, Prof. Junichi Ida makes his remarks.
“As a School, we have reviewed our teacher-education curriculum and I must state here that our engagement with you has added significant value to our programmes. We have shifted our pedagogical approach from lecturing to facilitation, which aligns with the Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) framework. Our curriculum now incorporates community service learning, and pertinent and contemporary issues, including value creating education, that has enriched our content and ensured that our learners are well prepared to fit into contemporary society,” stated the Dean SEDU, Prof. Moses Poipoi.
Addressing research, Prof. Poipoi identified the key thematic areas for the School, including mental health, special needs education, value creating education, and early pregnancies. He acknowledged the University of Nairobi’s, Prof. Lewis Ngesu for his mentorship in developing specialized programmes in the Department, which has seen over 15 postgraduate students pursuing Masters and PhD studies, primarily in Education Foundations. “My hope is that this partnership advances to the next level so that we sharpen each other through joint research as well as student and staff exchanges,” he added.
The Dean SEDU, Prof. Moses Poipoi speaks at the event.
Prof. Lewis Ngesu, the Associate Dean-School of Education and a senior lecturer in the Department of Educational Foundations at the University of Nairobi, made a presentation titled, ‘Education that Cultivates Human Values: Lesson Learnt from Soka University, Soka Elementary, Junior and Senior Schools, Tokyo’. He shared the observations he and his team members made during their visit to the SOKA group of institutions in Japan. As part of his take away from the visit, Prof. Ngesu confirmed that value creating education offers a powerful approach to preparing Kenyan learners for the demands and responsibilities of the 21st century.
“This is grounded in values of empathy, justice, respect, integrity, perseverance, self-discipline, open-mindedness, active listening and collaboration. These values help create a supportive and inclusive environment where students feel valued, motivated and empowered to learn. By embracing value creating education, Kenya can nurture a generation of informed, ethical and engaged citizens capable of shaping a better future for the country and the world,” asserted Prof. Ngesu.
Prof. Lewis Ngesu, the Associate Dean-School of Education and a senior lecturer in the Department of Educational Foundations at the University of Nairobi makes his presentation.
The Chairperson of the Department, Dr. Injendi Juma thanked the partners for choosing MMUST as a collaborator in this noble collaboration. “Your presence at MMUST is a shared commitment to advancing education which is grounded in peace, human dignity and mutual respect, values that align with our own institutional vision,” he noted, acknowledging every effort made by the partners to get MMUST moving to this area.
Other notable personalities present at the workshop were the Executive Director, Office of International Affairs Soka Gakkai-Mr. Yoshiyuki Nagaoka; Deputy Director International Affairs Soka Gakkai-Ms. Son Junja; Prof. Masumi Odari from the University of Nairobi the MMUST team present were Prof. Joseph Nasongo, Dr. Phillip Wanyonyi, Dr. Eunice Majanga, Dr. John Nyangaresi.
By Caren Nekesa
Photos by Wangari Wambugu
