MMUST and Ecolibrium Company Limited Expand Collaboration, Bringing on Board University of Michigan to Partner in Implementation of Joint Projects
Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, and Ecolibrium Company Limited have expanded their collaboration by bringing on board the University of Michigan (UM) to partner in the implementation of joint initiatives. This comes after the Collaborative Agreement (CA) between MMUST and Ecolibrium was renewed, following a successful five-year contract, which was signed in October-2019. On Tuesday, 20th May, 2025, a team from Ecolibrium and UM paid a courtesy call to the Directorate of International Relations and Academic Linkages (DIAL) to discuss more areas of collaboration, as well as the implementation of ongoing projects. The guests were accompanied by the Chairperson of the implementation committee for the MMUST and Ecolibrium CA-Dr. Michael Ojiema, and were officially received by the Director-DIAL, Dr. Umulkher Ali.
“As a Directorate that plays a facilitative role for MMUST faculty in seeking national and international partners, it is a great honour and pleasure to have this kind of a meeting. The University is keen on bringing on board partners to support its mandate, which is research and innovation, career development, consultancy and community engagement,” stated Dr. Umulkher Ali. She added that MMUST has had a fruitful engagement with Ecolibrium, saying that she looked forward to more positive results, especially with the inclusion of UM into the collaboration.
The Director-DIAL, Dr. Umulkher Ali, speaks during the collaborative meeting.
In his remarks, Dr. Ojiema noted that the team from UM comprised experts from various disciplines, and was very optimistic that MMUST and Ecolibrium would benefit from the expertise. Similarly, Dr. Christine Onyango, a member of the implementation committee, pointed out that there are a lot of research gaps in Africa, which can be filled through such strategic partnerships. It is worth noting that the Dean School of Public Health, Biomedical Sciences and Technology (SPHBS&T)-Dr. Evans Raballah was also present at the discussions, where he talked about the possible areas of collaboration within his School.
Prof. Joseph (Joe) Eisenberg, a Professor of Epidemiology at UM, reiterated that he was impressed by the diverse experts involved in the collaboration, pointing out that interdisciplinary research and collaboration is the way to go. During the visit to MMUST, Prof. Eisenberg was with Dr. Pamela Jagger, a Professor of Environment and Sustainability at UM, and Ms. Andrea Mahieu, a Research Associate at UM’s School of Environment and Sustainability (SEAS).
University of Michigan’s Dr. Pamela Jagger gives her remarks during the event.
“Engaged primarily in energy and forestry, Ecolibrium utilizes business and research as tools for good to help in solving environmental and social problems. Our company has been partnering with the University of Michigan for quite some time now and we are thrilled to have it join the longstanding collaboration that we have with MMUST,” said Mr. Chris Amutabi, a Director at Ecolibrium.
The expansion of the partnership between MMUST and Ecolibrium Company Limited to include the University of Michigan marks a significant milestone in the implementation of joint projects. The expertise and resources brought together by the three (3) institutions will undoubtedly foster impactful solutions to societal problems, while enhancing staff and student exchange, as well as supporting community-based programs.
Photos by Shiundu Masafu
