MMUST and University of Foggia-Italy Sign Collaborative Agreement to Promote Academic and Educational Exchanges!!

In an effort to promote long-term academic and educational exchanges, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, and the University of Foggia (UniFG) in Italy have officially signed a Collaborative Agreement. The signing ceremony, which took place on 20^th May, 2026 at MMUST, was presided over by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Solomon Shibairo, as well as UniFG’s Prof. Vito Amendolagine. The Agreement, signed courtesy of the WAter enerGy fOod Nexus 2 Africa (WAGON2Africa) project, establishes a structured framework for long-term cooperation in the areas of joint research initiatives and mobility programs between the two (2) institutions.

Prof. Shibairo presents an award to Prof. Vito Amendolagine.

Speaking during the ceremony, Prof. Shibairo noted that the WAGON2Africa project is very important as it addresses the interconnected challenges of water, energy, and food security, which are central to Kenya’s national development. “Water, energy, and food are critical pillars of any economy. We are happy to collaborate with the University of Foggia on this initiative. Through these partnerships, I believe we will be empowered to develop high-impact, localized solutions to the pressing challenges in these disciplines. We are fully committed to working together as closely as possible to see this cooperation grow,” stated the Vice Chancellor.

Prof. Amendolagine speaks with the MMUST team at the VC’s Office during the signing ceremony.

Reiterating Prof. Shibairo’s sentiments, Prof. Amendolagine, who is the Coordinator of the Project and Associate Professor of Economics at UniFG, affirmed that the project cross-cuts multiple scientific disciplines. He observed that the engagements facilitated by the initiative have provided him with a profound learning experience, challenging faculty members to remain as open to learning as they are to teaching. “Thank you for the opportunity to collaborate with MMUST on this project. This initiative has given me a rare opportunity to understand what the water, energy, and food nexus means in this part of the world, and I am grateful for this experience. I sincerely hope for further avenues to expand our cooperation on these critical issues. This partnership is highly relevant and will open new opportunities for both institutions,” he said.

On his part, the WAGON2Africa Project Coordinator at MMUST, Dr. Victor Odari revealed that the partnership extends beyond the three disciplines. “This Agreement opens avenues for all Schools within the University to interact with the University of Foggia. We do not want the interactions to be limited to the Schools of Business and Economics, the School of Natural Sciences, or the School of Agriculture, Veterinary Sciences, and Technology. Working together, we can collectively contribute to capacity building and growth across our community, benefiting both faculty and students alike,” remarked Dr. Odari.

The WAGON2Africa Project Coordinator at MMUST, Dr. Victor Odari during a research workshop prior to the signing of the Collaborative Agreement.

Notably, the ceremony was attended by faculty members from various Schools, including the Dean School of Engineering and the Built Environment (SEBE), Prof. Eng. Bernadette Sabuni; Dean School of Agriculture, Veterinary Sciences and Technology, Prof. Vitalis Ogemah; Dean School of Computing and Informatics, Dr. Daniel Otanga; and Representing the Dean School of Natural Sciences, Dr. Issac K’Owino. “I am impressed by the way we are elevating our international profile. Over the years, we have seen a massive shift among our learners to seize international opportunities, and we want to see this momentum grow. With the determination and passion we are witnessing today, I know that a few years from now, MMUST will be a completely transformed institution, with every missing piece fully in place,” asserted Dr. K’Owino.

A section of faculty members during the workshop.

Sharing his experience from a recent student exchange program at the University of Foggia, one of the postgraduate students from the School of Business and Economics, Mr. Mark Muriithi described the opportunity as highly enriching. He was hopeful that the collaboration will yield even greater benefits for both faculty and students.

“I was attached at the University of Foggia, and I had one of the most memorable times at the institution. The serene ambience, well-resourced library, and advanced facilities played a key role in enabling me to do my research smoothly. Being away from my usual environment also provided me with a space where I could focus entirely on my research without distractions. I was able to build my research, and I hope this partnership continues to grow to give more scholars this exposure,” he noted.

Ultimately, this collaboration is a major step forward in MMUST’s vision to be the Premier University in Science, Technology, and Innovation. By aligning with institutions of the stature of the University of Foggia, MMUST is set to elevate its research and, in the process, nurture its next generation of researchers to conduct higher-quality research that yields tangible, revolutionary solutions for real-world challenges.