Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) and the National Defence University-Kenya (NDU-K) have launched the implementation phase of their Collaborative Agreement (CA). The two institutions seek to increase the level of higher education and improve the defense machinery of the nation.
In an effort to initiate the operationalization of the August 2024 signed agreement, NDU-K sent a delegation led by Brigadier M. Mwenga to MMUST from April 8th to 10th, 2025. The visit was aimed at identifying potential areas of collaboration between the two institutions. Areas identified as potential ones include joint research studies, grant writing, specialized short courses, staff and student exchange, planning of curriculum together, sharing resources, and outreach.
The NDU-K delegation was formally welcomed by Professor Hussein Golicha, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs. Additionally, they were also afforded an opportunity to meet the Vice Chancellor, Professor Solomon Shibairo, on their last day. The School of Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance (SDMHA) gives the administrative platform to this joint accord in MMUST.
Professor Shibairo also praised Dr. Ferdinand Nabiswa, the Dean of SDMHA, and his entire team for the development of such a valuable cooperation. He was contented by the degree of progress that was already being obtained by both of the universities from this cooperation. “In accord with our initial discussions, we are particularly keen on obtaining equipment to benefit the School of Medicine, the School of Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance, the Nursing school, the School of Education, as well as the Music Institute,” the Vice Chancellor said.
Brigadier Mwenga illustrated NDU-K’s readiness, saying, “As the National Defence University-Kenya, we are ready to have a mutual working relationship with MMUST. We look forward to tangible outcomes that will help Kenya address its issues, especially in the security area.” He also illustrated that NDU-K offers specialized academic programs designed to enhance mission readiness in security.
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Professor Hussein Golicha reiterated MMUST’s commitment to implementing all aspects of the Collaborative Agreement. “Now that this agreement is entering implementation, we look forward to undertaking the activities set out, namely research on themes allocated to MMUST and NDU-K by the President,” said Professor Golicha. He added that this collaboration would enable MMUST to award formal qualifications to military officers through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) mechanism.
Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor Planning, Research and Innovation, Professor Peter Bukhala liked his contentment with the given areas of cooperation. “I am satisfied with the suggested areas of collaboration, and as a University, we are keen to move forward. MMUST has numerous experts who can enhance the research capability of military officers, empowering them with the capacity to solve security problems. The world is changing fast, and new knowledge is needed to solve new problems,” he said.
Dr. Nabiswa explained that MMUST has a record of training military officers with over two hundred trained at the undergraduate level, more than fifty at the Master’s level, and nearly fifty at the PhD level. “The big number of military officers trained in our University indicates the trust that the military and NDU-K have in MMUST,” he further stated.
It is expected that the Collaborative Agreement between MMUST and NDU-K will enhance collaborative research, educational exchanges, and capacity building programs. This strategic alliance will go a long way in advancing Kenya’s development goals in higher education as well as national security.