Mount Kigali and JKUAT Seal Strategic Partnership to Boost Research and Innovation

ount Kigali University (MKU), Rwanda and Kenya’s Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) have formalised a strategic academic partnership aimed at advancing applied research, innovation, and regional collaboration in higher education.

The partnership was officially sealed during a signing ceremony held in Kigali, where leaders from both institutions committed to a shared vision of strengthening academic excellence and cross-border knowledge exchange.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed by JKUAT Vice Chancellor Prof. Victoria Wambui Ngumi and Mount Kigali University Vice Chancellor Dr. Martin Kimemia, establishes a comprehensive framework for joint academic programmes, collaborative research initiatives and structured faculty and student exchange.

The collaboration is expected to enhance training in industrial and applied research while opening up new opportunities for students, researchers and faculty across the region. By leveraging JKUAT’s strengths in science, technology and engineering alongside MKU’s expanding academic and research capacity, the two institutions aim to drive innovation and address regional development challenges.

Speaking during the ceremony, Mount Kigali University Founder and Chairman, Prof. Simon Gicharu, described the partnership as a significant step toward building impactful academic alliances within East Africa.

“This partnership demonstrates the power of collaboration in higher education. Institutions can achieve greater impact when they work together to advance knowledge, research and skills development for the region,” he said.

Prof. Gicharu emphasised that the agreement reflects shared values of excellence, innovation, and regional development, noting that such partnerships go beyond formal agreements.

“Partnerships are not just agreements. They are commitments to grow together. When institutions collaborate, they unlock greater potential than when they operate independently,” he added.

As part of the broader event, the MKU Board of Directors also marked another milestone by officially handing over the Karembure Happy Valley university grounds to the Mount Kigali University administration. The facility is expected to play a key role in supporting academic events, student recreation, and extracurricular activities.

The grounds will serve both the university community and the nearby Kigali Paramount Hotel, offering a space for recreational and social engagement. According to Prof. Gicharu, the land was acquired as a strategic investment to support the institution’s long-term growth and development.

“This investment is part of our vision to create a holistic academic environment that supports teaching, research, innovation, and student well-being,” he noted.

He added that the facility will also provide a permanent venue for celebrating academic achievements and hosting major university events.

To symbolise growth and sustainability, members of the university community participated in a tree-planting exercise at the grounds, an activity that underscored the institution’s long-term vision and commitment to environmental responsibility.

The MKU–JKUAT partnership marks a significant milestone in strengthening regional academic integration, positioning both universities as key players in shaping future-ready education and advancing research excellence across East Africa.

Mount Kigali University continues to grow as a fully-fledged institution of higher learning in Rwanda, offering a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes aligned with regional and global workforce needs.

Meanwhile, JKUAT remains one of Kenya’s leading public universities, renowned for its strong focus on science, technology, engineering, agriculture and applied research.

As the collaboration takes shape, stakeholders expect it to drive innovation, enhance academic mobility, and contribute meaningfully to socio-economic development within the region.