The University of Nairobi (UoN) on Thursday, April 8, 2025, hosted a delegation from France led by Valérie Verdier, CEO and President of the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD), and Prof. Jeanick Brisswalter, President of Université Côte d’Azur (UCA). The visit was organized by the Directorate of University Advancement and Institutional Development under the framework of the Engineering and Science Complex (ESC) Project.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Margaret J. Hutchinson, welcomed the delegation alongside the university’s senior leadership team including Chief Operations Officer Mr. Brian Ouma, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Enterprise Prof. Francis Mulaa, and Director of Research Prof. Thomas Ochuku. Also present were deans and researchers from the Faculties of Health Sciences, Engineering, Science and Technology, and Agriculture.
The delegation’s visit comes as part of efforts to deepen long-standing academic and research partnerships between UoN and French institutions, particularly IRD, which has had a historical presence in East Africa. According to official reports, IRD reaffirmed its commitment to development-oriented research in Africa, particularly through co-creation of research ecosystems focused on innovation, capacity building, and knowledge exchange.
During the visit, both institutions explored potential frameworks for collaboration, including joint research initiatives, academic mobility programs, and co-investment in emerging areas of study. These include Artificial Intelligence and Open Data, One Health, and Sports Medicine—fields where French researchers have demonstrated global leadership and which align with the ESC’s thematic priorities.
In an official communication, IRD acknowledged the University of Nairobi as “a vibrant research community” and a key partner in East Africa. The CEO, Valérie Verdier, highlighted IRD’s intent to strengthen its engagement with African institutions through meaningful and mutually beneficial partnerships. According to the University of Nairobi, discussions during the meeting also sought to identify interdisciplinary research themes that reflect local development needs while tapping into global scientific expertise.
The Engineering and Science Complex, once completed, will be a state-of-the-art facility designed to enhance training in the faculties of Science and Technology and Engineering. According to the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the ESC is a key part of UoN’s effort to improve the quality and relevance of higher education in Kenya. The ESC project, backed by the French government through the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), is one of five major infrastructure projects under UoN’s “Big 5” transformation strategy.
Source: UoN News
