The University for Development Studies has signed formal agreements with three (3) universities from Kenya, namely, Moi University, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology and Egerton University to promote cooperation between the four institutions in higher education and in academic research.

The agreement provides the platform for enhanced collaboration between the four (4) universities. The agreement broadly seeks to explore cooperation on three key areas such as strengthening academic programmes, development of joint faculty and students’ capacity building programmes, as well as having joint research, innovation and outreach programmes.
 
The agreement was reached after a three-day regional meeting of Vice Chancellors hosting four (4) African Centers of Excellence of Higher Education under the support of the World Bank through the Governments of Ghana and Kenya. It is expected that this agreement will form the foundation for the development of corporate Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and other cooperation frameworks.

The expectation is that when the Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) are signed, it will further deepen the collaboration between the four universities and will provide the framework to further explore the development of joint research activities, facilitation of university staff exchanges, training and development of students, student exchange and/or visiting programmes, exchange of information, research collaboration in areas of mutual interest and any other activities viewed to be mutually beneficial.

The Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University for Development Studies, Professor Felix Kofi Abagale, signed on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Gabriel Ayum Teye for the University for Development Studies, while the Vice-Chancellors of Moi University, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology and Egerton University, Prof. Isaac S. Kosgey, Prof. Stephen G. Agong’ and Prof. Isaac O. Kibwage respectively signed for their universities.

The African Centers of Excellence (ACE) program seeks to meet labour market demands for skills in specific fields. This multi-phased program has provided significant financial and technical support to strengthen higher education in Africa, focusing on improved quality and relevance of education and training programs, improved teaching and learning, and expanded post-graduate access in key priority fields.

The University for Development Studies’ West African Centre for Water, Irrigation and Sustainable Agriculture (WACWISA) is a center of Excellence that undertakes cutting-edge research and training in irrigation, drainage, water resources management, sustainable agriculture, climate change, and food and nutrition security.

Speaking on the sidelines of the formal signing ceremony, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University for Development Studies, Professor Felix Kofi Abagale, described the link with the Universities from Kenya as a great opportunity for cooperation especially, as UDS pursues its vision of becoming a world class research-intensive university.

The Africa Centers of Excellence will help to improve governance and management of their host university and be role models for other higher education institutions, and will deliver outreach and create impact in society by delivering excellent teaching and quality research.