Kenyatta University reaffirmed its stature as a hub of international collaboration with a courtesy call to Prof. Paul Wainaina, the Vice-Chancellor from Tongmyong University, Korea, led by Mr. Kyung Su (Greg) Kang, Chief Executive Director of the Tongmyong Educational Foundation. The visit opened doors to transformative partnerships in research, innovation, and student mobility, reflecting KU’s growing reputation as “The Kenyan Giant” in higher education.
The visit, held in the Vice-Chancellor’s Boardroom, explored potential areas of collaboration between the two institutions in research, academic exchange, student mobility, and capacity building. Mr. Kang, accompanied by Mr. Dennis from the International Affairs and Marketing Division, noted that Tongmyong University, home to over 2,000 international students from more than 200 countries, seeks to build long-term relationships beyond time-bound memoranda of understanding (MoUs).
Speaking during the engagement, Prof. Wainaina reaffirmed Kenyatta University’s position as a comprehensive institution of higher learning and a hub of innovation, creativity, and global partnerships. He emphasised that collaborations should translate into Memoranda of Agreement (MoAs) with tangible outcomes, noting KU’s strength in diverse disciplines, from sciences and engineering to music, film, sports, and non-traditional programmes.
Highlighting the University’s commitment to global exchange, the Vice-Chancellor noted that KU currently hosts over 900 international students from more than 50 nationalities and runs a vibrant Korean Institute on campus. He added that initiatives such as Erasmus+ have further enriched KU’s academic and cultural landscape, fostering impactful cross-border collaboration.
Executive Deans and Directors present underscored KU’s capacity in areas aligned with Tongmyong’s interests, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), blockchain, computer science, financial literacy, engineering, and biotechnology. They highlighted existing programmes, research infrastructure, and international partnerships that provide a solid foundation for future collaboration.
“The best outcomes emerge when scholars come together. That is what cements partnerships and creates lasting impact,” Prof. Wainaina remarked, adding that he is scheduled to visit Korea next month as part of KU’s efforts to deepen ties in the region.
The courtesy call signalled a shared commitment to leverage the strengths of both institutions, with discussions pointing to opportunities in joint research, student and staff exchanges, curriculum development, and knowledge-sharing initiatives.