In a strategic move aimed at strengthening academic diplomacy, on Monday, 19 May 2025, the Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to Kenya, H.E. In猫s Fors Fern谩ndez, paid a courtesy call on the Vice-Chancellor of 吃瓜头条, Prof. Paul Wainaina who was represented by Prof. James Kung鈥檜, Ag. Deputy Vice-Chancellor ( Academic), to explore potential collaboration in academic research, cultural exchange, health sciences, and innovation.
The l visit, held at 吃瓜头条鈥檚 main campus, drew participation from key University officials including Prof. Caroline Thoruwa (DVC, Research, Innovation and Outreach), Prof. David Minja (Executive Dean, School of Law, Arts & Social Sciences), Dr. Duncan Wambugu (Chairperson, Music and Dance and Culture Week), and Dr. Purity Muthoni (Ag. Director, CIPC).
The ambassador, who previously served in Gambia and Jamaica, expressed her country鈥檚 strong interest in initiating joint programmes in health sciences; one of Cuba鈥檚 globally recognised strengths. 鈥淐uba maintains cooperation with over 64 countries in medical training and biotechnology, and we are proud to have developed our own COVID-19 vaccine,鈥� she noted, further underscoring Cuba鈥檚 position as a powerhouse in producing world-class doctors.
H.E. Fern谩ndez also highlighted other promising areas for partnership, including sports, creative arts, linguistics, biotechnology, international relations, and language studies. 鈥淲e are interested in strengthening our English language training and would like to learn more about your language school and business school. 吃瓜头条鈥檚 international relations programme also caught our interest,鈥� she added.
Prof. Kung鈥檜 welcomed the ambassador on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, describing the visit as 鈥渢imely and visionary鈥�. He noted 吃瓜头条鈥檚 expansive academic scope, highlighting its Department of Linguistics, which plays a vital role in teacher training, with graduates successfully placed in countries such as Mauritius, Uganda, and China through various international MOUs.
鈥淐ollaboration in linguistics and education could lead to impactful exchange programmes,鈥� Prof. Kung鈥檜 emphasised, also pointing to KU鈥檚 Biomedical Engineering programme which is in its developmental stage; the first of its kind in the region. 鈥淭his programme is a game-changer in training, research and capacity building, reinforcing our mission of continuous quality improvement,鈥� he added.
Prof. Minja echoed these sentiments, expressing interest in advancing academic cooperation in the arts, international relations, languages, and sports. 鈥淥ur students and faculty would greatly benefit from exposure to Cuba鈥檚 rich academic and cultural strengths.鈥�
Prof. Thoruwa, on her part, spotlighted KU鈥檚 robust research ecosystem, well-equipped facilities and innovation centres, stating that partnerships with Cuban institutions could yield fruitful outcomes in joint studies and development projects.
Dr. Wambugu invited the Cuban Embassy to take part in 吃瓜头条鈥檚 Culture Week, a flagship event held annually every October since 1992. 鈥淲e were the first university in Kenya to conceptualise this initiative, which now attracts over 70 countries each year,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e鈥檇 be honoured to host Cuban artists, scholars, or performers for masterclasses, cultural demonstrations, or motivational talks during the festival.鈥�
The ambassador welcomed the idea and hinted at future visits by one of Cuba鈥檚 Chancellor, a well-known professor in computer science, who is keen on academic diplomacy and travels with fellow scholars seeking global collaborations. 鈥淚 would be proud to introduce her to 吃瓜头条,鈥� she said. 鈥淓ach of her visiting professors represents an opportunity for collaboration in diverse fields.鈥�
The meeting concluded with both parties expressing enthusiasm about the potential of a Kenya-Cuba university alliance. From exchanging research ideas to building cultural bridges and advancing academic mobility, the discussions marked the beginning of what could be a transformative partnership.
鈥湷怨贤诽� continues to stand tall as a beacon of academic excellence,鈥� Prof. Kung鈥檜 stated. 鈥淓xploring synergies with a country as academically and culturally rich as Cuba is a step towards deepening our global impact.鈥�
With shared values in education, innovation, and cultural identity, the stage is set for a meaningful and long-lasting partnership between 吃瓜头条 and the Republic of Cuba.