Kenyatta University has been awarded the UNESCO Chair in Inclusive and Sustainable Physical Education and Sport for Community Development, following a rigorous and highly competitive evaluation process conducted at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. The draft agreements for the establishment of the new Chair were formally transmitted yesterday, marking a historic milestone for the University, Kenya, and the African continent. This Chair becomes the first UNESCO Chair in Africa dedicated specifically to Physical Education, reaffirming Kenyatta University’s leadership in sport science, inclusion, community development, and research excellence. It joins and complements broader continental efforts such as the UNESCO Chair on Sport, Development, Peace and Olympic Education hosted at the University of the Western Cape in South Africa.
With this achievement, Kenyatta University now becomes one of the few universities globally to host two UNESCO Chairs. The newly awarded Chair will stand alongside the existing UNESCO Chair for Higher Education Development for a Green Economy and Sustainability (HEDGES), led by Dr. Dorcas Beryl Otieno, already hosted at Kenyatta University and recognized for its contributions on integrating sustainability into curricula, capacity building, and fostering green jobs through research, innovation, and public-private partnerships to transition Kenya towards sustainable development.
Only a limited number of universities worldwide hold two or more UNESCO Chairs, including the University of Florence in Italy (three Chairs), Pennsylvania State University in the United States (two Chairs), Universidad de Puerto Rico (two Chairs), and the University of Victoria in Canada (two Co-Chairs). This distinction further elevates Kenyatta University’s profile as a premier hub for academic innovation, global partnerships, and transformative community impact.
The University extends sincere appreciation to UNESCO, the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO, and all partners whose support made this achievement possible, and looks forward to advancing inclusive and sustainable Physical Education and sport for community development across the region.