Bridging Borders through Knowledge Exchange: Strathmore University Hosts University of Kigali Leadership Team

The University of Kigali (UoK) leadership team visited Strathmore University from 24th to 26th September 2025 to exchange knowledge, strengthen institutional capacity, and foster cross-border collaborations within the East African region. The delegation from the UoK comprised Dr. Ronald Kwena, the Associate Deputy Vice Chancellor Research, Innovation & Enterprise, Dr. Samuel Sindayigaya, the Associate Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics, Dr. Wilson Musoni, the Associate Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration and Human Resources, and Dean School of Computing and Information Technology, and Mr. Bukomeko Bernadine, the Associate Dean, Programmes.

On the first day of the visit, the delegation was hosted by Mr Ian Wairua, the Ass. Director, Centre for Teaching Excellence. He showcased Strathmore’s longstanding tradition of academic excellence, focusing on teaching practices and technology integration. Ms Caroline Thongoro also presented on Strathmore’s robust assessment and examination processes, detailing exam planning, administration, and the systems in place for ensuring learning and assessment quality assurance.

Professor Gilbert Kokwaro, the Director of the Institute of Healthcare Management (IHM), also hosted the delegation for a session on the institute’s structure, highlighting efforts in building local capacity. Christine Owande, Director at Strathmore Research and Consultancy Centre (SRCC), showcased the University’s role in a consultancy and research commercialization model, while Cynthia Nzuki, Research Assistant from Centre for Intellectual Property (CIPIT) shared knowledge on intellectual property (IP) policy and practices, underlining the importance of IP in driving research outputs to market.

On the second day, the delegation met with the management of the School of Computing and Engineering Sciences (SCES), led by Eng. Dr. Julius Butime, the Dean. The session explored best practices in academic and exchange programmes, research, innovation, industry, and academic partnerships. The delegation from UoK finished with a tour of the campus and engineering laboratories.

Later in the evening, the delegation was hosted by a session with Dr Vincent Ogutu, the Vice Chancellor at Strathmore University. Dr Ogutu spoke on the need to retain Strathmore’s culture while accommodating a rapidly expanding staff and student population. He noted that the cornerstone of maintaining the Strathmore brand is its people, whom he described as the University’s biggest asset.

On the final day, the team met with the Research and Innovation team at Strathmore Business School, led by Dr Majid Twahir, the Associate Dean of Research and Innovation. The session focused on opportunities for deepening research collaboration. Dr. Miriam Omollo from the Strathmore Institute of Public Policy and Governance (SIPPG) and Dr. William Murithi from the Strathmore University Nonprofits, Social Enterprises, and Philanthropy (SUNSEP) shared additional insights.

This visit provides an opportunity to strengthen the implementation of the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Strathmore University and the University of Kigali. The MoU aims to develop a strategic partnership and strengthen collaboration in several areas, including student and faculty exchanges, PhD supervision and capacity building, case writing, global study tours, alumni relations, partnerships, internationalisation, and general operations.

Article by Juliet Hinga