In a significant step towards strengthening ties and fostering academic cooperation, two professors from University of Pittsburgh paid a visit to Kibabii University on Tuesday 1st August 2023. The delegation was led by Professor Catherine Koverola, who is also a Director for Centre of African Studies at the University of Pittsburgh accompanied by Prof. Macrina Lelei who is the Associate Director at the Centre. They were officially received by the DVC (Planning, Partnerships, Research and Innovation) Prof. Dr.-Ing. Benedict M. Mutua, representing the Vice Chancellor.
The visit comes as part of a follow-up to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two universities, aiming to explore various avenues of collaboration.
The MoU encompasses a wide array of initiatives aimed at fostering mutual growth and development. Key areas include joint research ventures, joint symposia, workshops, and conferences. Another exciting aspect of the collaboration includes opportunities for student and staff exchanges. This initiative aims to broaden the horizons of students and faculty members by providing exposure to different cultures, academic environments, and research perspectives.
In her remarks, Prof Koverola, a clinical psychologist, expressed her enthusiasm for the collaboration.
“Our universities share a commitment to advancing knowledge, enhancing teaching practices, and positively impacting society. We believe that our joint efforts will pave the way for meaningful progress in the field of education and research,” she said.
During their visit, the guests had the pleasure of visiting Bishop Atundo Boys High School Kimaeti where Kibabii University’s project on Strengthening In-Service Teacher Training (SIIT) is being implemented. This project employs practical models to teach mathematics to learners. The school administration has so far witnessed significant improvement in performance in the subject, all attributed to the new learning methodology. Witnessing the project in action allowed the visiting professors to gain firsthand insights into the transformative potential of innovative teaching techniques in the Kenyan setup.
