MMUST and National Defence University-Kenya Begin Implementation of Collaborative Agreement in a Bid to Advance Higher Education and Strengthen Country’s Defense
Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, and the National Defence University-Kenya (NDU-K) have begun the implementation of their Collaborative Agreement (CA), in an effort to advance higher education and strengthen the Country’s defense strategies. Delegates from NDU-K, led by Brigadier M. Mwenga, were in MMUST from 8th to 10th April, 2025 to discuss the operationalization of the CA, which was signed earlier in August, 2024. The three-day visit was aimed at exploring potential areas of collaboration between the two (2) institutions, including research, grant writing, training, staff and student exchange, curriculum development, resource-sharing, as well as community engagement. The guests were officially received by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic and Student Affairs)-Prof. Hussein Golicha, and subsequently had an opportunity to meet the Vice Chancellor-Prof. Solomon Shibairo on the last day of the visit. The CA is domiciled in the School of Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance (SDMHA).
Prof. Shibairo speaks at the event.
Congratulating the Dean-SDMHA, Dr. Ferdinand Nabiswa, and his team for securing the productive collaboration, Prof. Shibairo expressed his elation at the progress already made by both institutions as a result of the partnership. “As discussed in our previous meetings, we are particularly keen on getting equipment that will support the School of Medicine, the School of Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance, Nursing, Education and the Music Institute,” pointed out the Vice Chancellor.
“As the National Defence University-Kenya, we are ready for a mutual working relationship with MMUST and look forward to realizing tangible outputs that will help this country address its challenges, especially in the security sector,” said Brigadier Mwenga, adding that NDU-K offers niche academic programmes that enhance mission readiness on matters security.
Brigadier Mwenga gives his remarks during the discussions.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic and Student Affairs), Prof. Hussein Golicha, stated that MMUST is committed to honoring all aspects of the CA. “With this Collaborative Agreement now being operationalized, we are eager to take part in the specific activities, particularly in the area of research, on the themes tasked by the President to MMUST and NDU-K,” remarked Prof. Golicha. He added that this partnership will enable MMUST to offer formal qualifications to military officers, through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) programme.
“I am pleased with the proposed areas of collaboration and as a University, we are ready to run with them. MMUST has many experts that can assist with research capacity strengthening for military officers, offering them skills that they can use to handle security threats. The world is moving very fast and new knowledge is required to tackle new challenges,” noted the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Planning, Research and Innovation)-Prof. Peter Bukhala.
MMUST and NDU-K teams at the Vice Chancellor’s office during a courtesy call on day one of the visit.
Dr. Nabiswa revealed that MMUST has trained over two hundred military officers at undergraduate level, over fifty Masters and nearly fifty at PhD level. He added, “the large number of military officers trained at our University is a demonstration of the trust that the military and NDU-K have placed in MMUST.”
The Collaborative Agreement between MMUST and NDU-K is expected to foster joint research, academic exchange as well as capacity building. Undoubtedly, this strategic effort will enhance Kenya’s development goals in higher education and national security.
By Dr. Lydia Anyonje, and Wangari Wambugu
Photos by Shiundu Masafu
