Jimma University and MOI University (Kenya) Agree to Establish Institutional Link

Posted Mon, 05/24/2010 - 10:34

A Delegation of MOI University to visit JU early June 2010

A high level delegation of Moi University (MU_K), Kenya, will visit Jimma University from 1-3 June 2010. The purpose of this visit is to establish a partnership/institutional link between the two universities.

The visiting delegation is led by the Vice Chancellor of MU-K, his Excellency, Prof. Richard K. Mibey. The delegation also includes three other higher officials; namely, Prof. Stanely Shitote (from MU_K) and Prof Bernand Manderick (from University of Hasselt, Belgium) who are respectively the local and Flemish Coordinators of MOI University’s VLIR-UOS Institutional University Cooperation (IUC) programme, and Prof. Barasa Okwha-Otsiyola, leader of HEALTH project under the same programme.

The idea of forging partnership between the two universities came about primarily due to the fact that both universities are currently implementing IUC programmes. They started the programme at the same time and are currently in the same stage of implementation. In the framework of the IUC programme, which is institutional in nature, there are a number of opportunities for networking mainly with IUC implementing universities elsewhere, but also with non-IUC universities as well, through initiatives like North-South-South (NSS) and cross-cutting initiatives in different areas.

For instance, through the NSS funding we won in 2008/09, JU has launched a masters programme in biostatistics at JU in which Hawasa, Addis Ababa, Mekelle, Bahir Dar and Gondar universities from Ethiopia and University of Edwardo Mondalene (UEM) from Mozambique are collaborating. Similarly, using the IUC cross-cutting initiative in ICT, JU has hosted two international trainings in Bandwidth Management Optimization (BMO) and Symfony programming for participants from six African universities and five Ethiopian universities. A similar initiative in Library automation has also been successful as well.

Using the IUC as a platform as mentioned above, the two institutions have been exploring possibilities of collaborating with one another and taking their relationship to a higher level both within the IUC as well as outside of the IUC spheres. Accordingly, discussions have been going on between the two parties at various levels in the past. Subsequently, it was decided to officially enter into agreement that helps the two parties effectively address issues of mutual interest and benefit in areas of education research and community service. To this end, attempt was made to identify potential areas of cooperation between the two universities both within the IUC context and beyond during a visit in Jan 2010, when a JU delegation visited MOI University. In fact, the need to maintain an institutional link broader in scope than just an IUC level cooperation appeared more appealing for maximum impact.

Areas of cooperation already identified

As pointed out earlier, the current visit is a follow-up of a similar visit at MU-K in Jan 2010, during which the two parties identified possible areas of collaboration. These include:

  • Joint research
  • Student exchange (Masters training, …)
  • Staff exchange (teaching, external exams, exchanges during sabbatical leaves, etc)
  • ICT development
  • Joint academic programmes
  • Sharing/exchange of experience
  • Preparation of joint proposals for funding, etc


Further, it was decided to write a joint proposal to apply for a NSS funding by VLIR in the area of data management. To this end, the joint proposal aims at developing a system that ensures a structured and secure data storage and utilization. Personnel at the two institutions will be trained to gain the skills needed to address the database management needs within the respective IUC programmes as well as that of the universities at large.

Discussions and agreements in Jimma

During the visit, the delegation shall meet members of the JU senate to discuss on various issues of mutual benefit to the two universities. The delegation will also visit JU expansion projects like the hospital, the technology campus and development projects at KITO FURDISA site. The visitors are also expected to visit/attend briefings at the ICTDO office, the new IUC offices, the data center of the IUC programme and the JUCAVM smart class projects. Off-campus visits to the CBE sites at Serbo and Asendabo, Gilgel Gibe Field Research Center and Community Resource Centers are also arranged.

Discussions and agreements

At the end of the visit, the two parties are expected to sign an MOU that provides the legal framework for the implementation of collaborative programmes of mutual benefit. The MOU will also allow the two parties to be able to conclude joint programme agreements that help implement specific cooperation projects in areas identified. Discussion will also be held on how to optimize the link through further involving academic units and researchers of the two universities to be engaged in extensive collaboration at all levels. The agreement is a step forward in terms of improving the scientific and educational quality of the two institutions through networking and pooling of resources and consequently contributing towards regional integration and economic development.