The Vice Chancellor of Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST), Prof. Solomon Shibairo, on 21st March 2024 held strategic discussions with Kenya Army Commander Lt. Gen. David Tarus at Kenya Army Headquarters, Nairobi. The high-level meeting centered on strengthening partnerships between the academic institution and the military for national development and academic excellence.
Prof. Shibairo was accompanied by a delegation of senior university officials, including, the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic and Student Affairs- Prof. Hussein Golicha, Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor, Planning Research and Innovation- Prof. Peter Bukhala, Dean, School of Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance (SDMHA)- Dr. Ferdinand Nabiswa, Rev.Dr. Elijah Odhiambo, and Mr. Victor Malimu.
Prof. Solomon Shibairo keenly listens during the talks at the Kenya Army Headquarters.
During the meeting, both parties explored potential areas of collaboration that would leverage the university's academic resources and the military's operational expertise to address national challenges like disasters and enhance capacity building.
"This partnership represents a significant opportunity to align our academic programs with national security priorities and provide our students with real-world experiences in managing disasters and other security concerns," said Prof. Shibairo. "By working together with the Kenya Army, we can develop tailored programs that respond to emerging security challenges while advancing academic research,” he added.
Kenya Army Commander, Lt. Gen. David Tarus speaks at the Kenya Army Headquarters.
Lt. Gen. Tarus emphasized the importance of academia-military collaborations in modern security frameworks. "The complex security landscape requires multidisciplinary approaches. Partnerships with academic institutions such as MMUST allow us to tap into specialized knowledge and innovative research that can enhance our operational capabilities," he noted.
The discussions highlighted several potential areas of collaboration, including joint research initiatives, specialized training programs, student internships, student and staff exchange programs, and knowledge exchange forums. Particular focus was placed on disaster management, security studies, engineering, and information technology.
Participants at the MMUST-Kenya Army event.
Dr. Nabiswa, whose School of Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance will play a critical role in actualization of this collaboration, expressed optimism about the potential outcomes. "This collaboration will provide invaluable practical exposure for our students while contributing to national disaster preparedness and response mechanisms," he said.
Dean, School of Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance (SDMHA)- Dr. Ferdinand Nabiswa explains a point during the MMUST-Kenya Army meeting.
The meeting marks a significant step in MMUST's efforts to forge strategic partnerships with key national institutions. With an already existing Memorandum of Agreement with National Defence University of Kenya, both parties committed to leverage on it as tool to guide the implementation of agreed collaborative initiatives.
Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor Planning Research and Innovation Prof. Peter Bukhala (centre) participates in the discussion at the event.
As universities increasingly seek to align their academic offerings with national development priorities, the partnership between MMUST and the Kenya Army represents a forward-thinking approach to building synergies between academia and national security institutions.
Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic and Student Affairs Prof. Hussein Golicha explains a point during the MMUST-NDU meeting.
