ACA European Policy Seminar ‘For mutual gain: Euro-African cooperation in
higher education’
The Moi University VLIR-IUC Programme as a
dynamic institutional example internationalization
at an African University
Prof . dr. ir. John T. Githaiga
Programme Coordinator
Moi University VLIR-IUC Programme
KENYA
Structure of the presentation
• Part 1 – Internationalization in HE
• Part 2 – Moi-IUC: a dynamic example of
internationalization at an African
University
Part 1
Internationalization in HE
Internationalization…..
is a process of integrating
an international,
intercultural, global
dimension into the goals,
teaching/learning,
research, service delivery
of higher education
institutions and systems…
(Knight, 2008)
Internationalization in HE… a multi-sandwich approach!
Teaching
Globalisation
Cultural
Political
(Policy)
Economic
M
o
b
i
l
i
t
y
Learning
Research
Service delivery
I
n
f
r
a
s
t
r
u
c
t
u
r
e
Facilties
Networks
Campuses
Programmes
Indicators of Internationalization…
 Mobility – academic and administrative staff, students
 Human resource improvement
 Curriculum – new and diverse
 Researchers – findings, output and visibility
 Resources – teaching and research improvement
 Improved networks and stakeholder participation
 Management - administration
Is internationalization necessary for Africa?
Job/career
demands
Free Sec Sch.
education
Free Pry Sch.
education
Regional
Integration
Increased HE
enrolment demand
Educated
society
Higher enrolment
in Secondary Schools
Higher enrolment
in Primary Schools
Population Growth in the region
Subsidized Sec.
education
MDGs,
universal
education
Higher birth
rates
Part 2
Moi University IUC Programme
a dynamic example of
internationalization
at an African University
Programme title
Moi University Contribution to the SocioEconomic Welfare of Western Kenya
Location: Eldoret, Kenya
Programme
Moi
University
Structure
VLIRUOS
Vrije Universiteit
Brussel (VUB)
VLIR IUC
Programme
2007
Phase 1
5 years
6 projects + PSU
745,000 Euro/yr
ALL
Flemish
universities
Phase 2
5 years
2017
5 projects + PSU
570,000 Euro/yr
Institutional
University
Cooperation
(IUC) model
Programme
cycle
Projects in the Programme
Phase 1
Phase 2
Project Support Unit
Project Support Unit
Civil and Structural Engineering Civil and Structural Engineering
Agriculture and Biotechnology
Agriculture and Biotechnology
Health Sciences
Textile Engineering
Health Sciences
Textile Engineering
Gender
ICT
INSTDEV
Features of the programme
• Demand driven based on Home-grown concepts prioritized by
HOST to address current and future socio-economic needs of Moi
University and in sync with Kenya’s Vision 2030
• Supports sandwich / split PhD scholarship
• Establishment of centres of excellence – aims at sustainability
• Strengthening of institutional structures like ICT, Library, Gender,
ODL ....
Features of the programme
• Proposes and directly supports a Programme Support Unit (PSU)
• Long duration of about 12 years (Ph1 + Ph2+ preparation and
winding up) with regular evaluations
• Further opportunities while running the programme: collaboration
between different partners having IUCs Programmes, NSS, ICT
infrastructure, Close the Gap, .....
• Other Post IUC opportunities: Networks, RIP, South Initiative, ICT
& Library, NSS, Crosscutting project,......
Key ingredients for success
content
development
good communication &
transparent management
procedures / PSU
support
true partners / spirit of
cooperation and mutual respect
and understanding
Key ingredients for success
HEALTH SCIENCES
Primary Health Care
Family Medicine
Reproductive health
CAPACITY BUILDING
Training
Infrastructure
RESEARCH & EXTENSION
Water Quantity,
Quality & Supply
Affordable housing
CIVIL & STRUCT. ENG
Coherence,
synergy
Other project experiences at
Moi University
Other experiences
• Project – Dutch Funded Co-Financing of Higher Education
(MHO) Project
Collaboration between Moi University and different universities
in the Netherlands
• AMPATH – Academic Model Providing Access To Healthcare
A collaboration between Moi University, Moi Teaching &
Referral Hospital and North American Universities led by
Indiana University
Mutual Gain:
Output and Impact of the
IUC
Scholars support
Through scholarship, research, exchange, ……..
Project
PhD Master Bachelor Technical
CSE
6(6)
18(5)
0
1
AGBIO
7(5)
4
0
6(2)
HEALTH
6(5)
2(2)
0
6 GT=95
TEXTILE
3(2)
10(7)
0
1
GENDER/INSTDEV
2(1)
6
0
4
ICT/INSTDEV
4(4)
2(2)
7
4(3)
Total
28
38
7
22
(*) – continuing students
Impact: requisite capacity built for Moi and Kenya.
Mutual gain: co-teaching and co-supervision in sandwich system
Curricula development / review
Project
PhD
PSU
0
CSE
0
AGBIO
1
HEALTH
0
TEXTILE
1
GENDER/INSTDEV 0
ICT/INSTDEV
0
Total
2
Policies/
Master Bachelor Certificate Manuals
0
0
0
1
2
1
0
0
6
5
0
0
4
1
0
3
2
1
2
0
0
0
30
1
1
1
0
2
15
9
32
6
Gain: Curricula /policies developed/reviewed correctively,
some course co-taught by guest lecturers, student evaluation
Teaching and research infrastructure
• Acquisition of scientific books,
• Renovation, refurbishment of labs, equipment, consumables
• Purchase of computers, engineering softwares, projects, …
• Purchase of field vehicles for Health & AGBIO
• Installation of computer facilities and connectivity,
• Establishment of a modern textile laboratory
Research & Outreach
• ALL: Journal publications & international conferences
• CSE: Organisation of workshops in structural and water engineering
• AGBIO: demonstration sites in Western Kenya
• HEALTH: established and operationalization of a HDSS
• TEXTILE: Acquisition of a textile factory (Rivatex)
• GENDER: promotion of gender equity
• ICT: acquisition and distribution of ICT equipment to primary and
secondary schools
Expansion of Fibre Optic Backbone
Improved labs and facilities
Impact - Spinoffs
• Support cotton development in Kenya – in collaboration with local
stakeholders
• Renewable Energy Database System for East Africa for Kenya
(REDSEA Project) – in collaboration with local & international
stakeholders
• Sustainable Exploitation of Wild Silks in Sub-Saharan Africa, under
the Agricultural Research for Development (ARD) Dimension of
the European Research Area (ERA) – local and international
Impact - Spinoffs
• Implementation of EURO CODES in Kenya
• Participation in INTRA ACP – Tuning Africa
• Participation in Erasmus Mundus Action II ‘CARIBU’ Mobility
project
• Benefitted with 2 ‘Close the gap’ projects – in collaboration with
primary & secondary schools in western Kenya
• Bid and won a 200.000 Euro ICT infrastructure project
Impact - Collaboration
PROJECT
Main stakeholders
• CSE
VUB, KU Leuven, South African HEI, local
• AGBIO
KU Leuven, UGhent, VUB, South African HEI,
local
• HEALTH
UGhent, VUB, USA, GoK, local
• TEXTILE
UGhent, KU Leuven, KeBS, local
• INSTDEV
VUB, UA, Uhasselt, U of Nairobi, Jimma Univ,
KENET, local
Impact - Collaboration
• Improved University - Government relationship (participation in
national policy review and formulation)
• Improved University - Industry relationship (research opportunities,
student placement, employment)
• Improved South - South, and North & South - South collaborations
(other projects, mobility..)
‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can
use to change the world’
– Nelson Mandela
Asanteni Sana
Thank you
Q
&
A