MMUST Hosts Prof. Jones Scott to Strengthen Climate Change Collaboration
Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST), through its Department of Geography in the School of Arts and Social Sciences (SASS), on 10th February 2026, hosted Prof. Jones Scott, Associate Professor at Oslo New University College, Norway, and Director of Mind the Gap, Scotland, to explore areas of collaboration on climate change and environmental sustainability.
The visit focused on identifying practical ways the MMUST can work with international partners to address local environmental challenges. Discussions centered on how MMUST can support the development of technical, locally relevant solutions to climate change through research, community engagement, and partnerships.
The Ag. DVC PRI, Prof. Peter Bukhala speaks during the meeting.
Prof. Jones Scott, accompanied by the Dean-SASS, Dr. Rose Auma, and the Associate Dean, Dr. David Barasa, paid a courtesy call to the Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Planning, Research and Innovation). During the meeting, the Ag. DVC PRI, Prof. Peter Bukhala, lauded the emerging partnership, noting that such collaborations are critical in strengthening research, innovation, and academic growth. He emphasized the importance of bringing more geographers on board as the two institutions look forward to launching a joint academic programme in environmental sustainability and climate change studies.
Prof. Jones Scott explains a point during the seminar with staff and postgraduate students from the Department of Geography.
One of the key proposals was to promote structured farmer-to-farmer dialogues. MMUST was identified as an important link in facilitating these conversations, enabling farmers to share experiences and practical solutions that help them adapt to changing environmental conditions. This approach aims to strengthen resilience and reduce vulnerability to climate change at the community level. The meeting also highlighted the opportunity for MMUST to collaborate with county governments in disseminating locally developed environmental solutions to wider communities.
Prof. Scott delivered a postgraduate seminar titled ‘Cross-cultural Learning for Environmental Justice, Food Security and Biodiversity Conservation: Community Climate Conversations between Kenya and Scotland.’ He noted that inadequate climate data remains a global challenge, making it difficult to track environmental changes effectively. He also emphasized the importance of collecting gender-disaggregated data, explaining that women and men experience and respond to climate-related challenges differently.
Prof. Jones Scott together with staff and postgraduate students from the Department of Geography.
The deliberations of the joint meeting highlighted various potential areas of collaborations including leveraging Prof. Scott’s experience in initiating farmers’ dialogues, engaging global climate women’s networks in joint proposal writing to mobilize funds for PhD sponsorship for women in Geography, and promoting staff and student mobility through the Erasmus Programme. The partners also agreed to pursue joint research proposals that integrate local knowledge with global expertise to address environmental challenges.
The other notable members of staff from MMUST who were present during this event included Mr. Sylvester Makhulo (Chair of the Department of Geography), Dr. Amon Karanja, Dr. Joash Mabonga, Mr. Nalyanya Wasike, Dr. Avion Priscah and Ms. Emily Waswa.
By Linet Owuor
Photos by Wangari Wambugu;
