A joint initiative of the schools of health sciences of Makerere and Mt Kenya universities is to see researchers in East Africa benefit from a research fund established to address common health issues affecting the region.
The fund will facilitate research and development of innovations geared towards addressing health challenges brought about by climate change and disease outbreaks which bear a direct impact on the economies of the affected countries and it mainly targets areas which receive minimal support from international donors.
Speaking during the launch of the fund at the Mt Kenya University main campus in Thika, the institution’s co-founder Jane Nyutu said they had received their initial USD 100,000 boost from a joint donation by the two institutions.
The two universities also signed a memorandum of understanding that will see them collaborate in offering joint training and enabling research amongst its undergraduate and post graduate students through exchange programmes.
“Makerere University is recognised as a leader in tropical medicine. We have provided leadership in research in medicine including ground-breaking research in HIV-Aids, malaria, Ebola and others. We believe that we have something to offer to Mt Kenya University as we also tap from them its successful business models that have seen it grow to where it is today,” said Makerere Vice-Chancellor Barnabas Nawangwe.
He added that the partnership will not only enhance training and research in both universities but also unite the East African region in the long term.
