Kenyatta University is strengthening its commitment to international partnerships, research and innovation through engagements with global academic institutions, following a courtesy call by a delegation from Italy’s Politecnico di Milano and the Italian Embassy. The visit provided an opportunity to explore areas of mutual interest, including innovation, entrepreneurship, research funding and postgraduate training.
The delegation, led by Prof. Raffaello Cagliano, a representative of the School of Management at Politecnico di Milano, and Prof. Fabio Santoni, representing the Italian Embassy, was hosted by Prof. John Okumu, Vice-Chancellor of Kenyatta University, alongside members of the University’s management.
In his remarks, Prof. Okumu gave an overview of Kenyatta University, highlighting its history, academic schools and existing partnerships and collaborations. He also engaged the delegation in discussions aimed at understanding the Italian institution’s programmes and identifying opportunities for mutually beneficial academic cooperation.
Prof. Martin Njoroge, the liaison between the two universities, traced the development of their relationship, highlighting the discussions and engagements that have brought the institutions closer.
Prof. Cagliano described Politecnico di Milano as a predominantly technical university, explaining that its School of Management integrates technology into business education. She highlighted the African Innovation Leadership Programme as a significant initiative, noting its considerable impact and its place among the institution’s first programmes involving Africa.
Discussions further explored how the two institutions could strengthen innovation and translate research into practical solutions. Prof. Caroline Thoruwa, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Outreach at Kenyatta University, participated in the deliberations, while Prof. Njoroge highlighted potential collaboration through European Union funding for research and projects.
Dr. Susan Musembi, Director of Innovation, Incubation and University–Industry Linkages, sought insights into how Politecnico di Milano integrates entrepreneurship into technical disciplines such as engineering. She proposed exploring a short course focused on strengthening incubation, drawing on the Italian institution’s experience in innovation and entrepreneurship.
Prof. Michael Gicheru, Executive Dean of the Graduate School at Kenyatta University, commended the visiting institution’s postgraduate programmes and proposed exploring a student mobility model similar to KU’s collaboration with a Danish institution, which allows students to spend approximately six months at a foreign university to deepen their understanding of their disciplines.
Prof. Santoni recalled previous engagements between Italian institutions and Kenyatta University and expressed admiration for the University’s proactive approach to collaboration.
The visit reaffirmed Kenyatta University’s commitment to building strategic international partnerships that advance research, nurture innovation, strengthen entrepreneurship and expand opportunities for academic exchange, while creating pathways for impactful collaboration between institutions.