MKU Kenya and MKU-Rwanda seal cooperation pact with PSAU of Saudi Arabia
The deal will see Mount Kenya University (MKU) and Mount Kigali University, Rwanda (MKU-R) share knowledge with Saudi Arabia's PSAU on a wide range of subjects including research, innovation, capacity building, policy advocacy and knowledge exchange
Two sister varsities in Kenya and Rwanda have entered into a research and innovation pact with Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University (PSAU) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The deal will see Mount Kenya University (MKU) and Mount Kigali University, Rwanda (MKU-R) share knowledge with Saudi Arabia’s PSAU on a wide range of subjects including research, innovation, capacity building, policy advocacy and knowledge exchange.
The agreement focuses on wide scope of interest which also includes other areas like community engagement and outreach, entrepreneurship as well as governance and over sight.
It was signed jointly by Prof Deogratius Jaganyi, Vice Chancellor MKU, also representing Vice Chancellor MKU-R and Prof Rayed Alyousef, Vice-President Research and Postgraduate Studies (PSAU).
Meanwhile, this years ‘Times Universities’ Africa Universities Summit 2025 held in Kigali, Rwanda brought together cross-continental partners from higher education, industry, policy and civil society to discuss the biggest challenges and opportunities facing African higher education and broader society.
More than 350 delegates attended the summit that took place from 18 to 20 March 2025 under the theme; “United Leadership: Harnessing African Education for Sustainable Growth”.
Thought leaders, experts and change makers explored the importance of equitable partnerships for Africa, promoting sustainability in higher education, harnessing digital transformation and improving the quality of research and employability.
Phil Baty, the Times Higher Chief Global Affairs Officer, said Africa is vital to the future success of the world.
“We are delighted to be hosting such a timely and relevant event to explore development in the higher education and sustainability sectors,
“This event in Kigali was a real highlight and gathering of great leadership to showcase the growth of this exciting emerging education hub, and Africa’s position at the centre of this,” pointed Baty.
Mount Kenya University was represented by the VC, Prof Jaganyi, accompanied by Prof Peter Wanderi, Principal, Corporate Services, Marketing, Communication and Alumni Relations.
The MKU team also attended a round table meeting organized by PSAU’s team, during which Prof Jaganyi asked for a clarification on PSAU’s membership with United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) as he also invited PSAU to join Mount Kenya University UNAI SDG9 Hub group of universities chaired by MKU.
Keynote speakers in the forum included Dr Philip Cotton, Vice-Chancellor, University of Global Health Equity; Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Chancellor, University of Johannesburg; and Dr DeWayne Frazier, President and Vice-Chancellor, American University of Nigeria.
Apart from MKU and PSAU, other sponsors and partners in the summit were Covenant University (Nigeria); Elsevier (a global leader in information and analytics), Carnegie Mellon University Africa; the British Council, Instructure (Canvas makers) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Notionwave DMCC (an AI solution provider) and Schmidt Science Fellows, a maths, technology and science postdoctoral fellowship awarded annually since 2018 by Schmidt Futures, in partnership with the Rhodes Trust also sponsored the conference.
Also in the lineup was Honoris United Universities group, which specializes in private higher education and professional education on the African continent.
It also has interests in several higher-learning institutions in Morocco, Nigeria, Tunisia and South Africa.
