Meru University of Science and Technology (MUST) recently hosted an event marking the official launch of an International Field Course in Development and Food Security. The event, a testament to the growing global partnerships fostered by the University, welcomed guests from Dalhousie University (DAL), Canada, to the University’s picturesque campus nestled in the heart of Meru County, Kenya.
Our Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Romanus Odhiambo, extended a warm welcome to the Dalhousie team, acknowledging the robust collaboration that has existed between the two institutions since 2022. This partnership was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in January 2023, but the roots of cooperation were laid much earlier, with the pioneering efforts of Prof. Gregory Camerun and Joshua Thambura in launching a Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) programme on International Development and Food Security in September 2022. This inaugural programme was a resounding success, concluding in December 2022, and paving the way for further collaboration.

Prof. Odhiambo highlighted the University’s commitment to aligning its academic programs with innovations and technologies that enhance productivity, particularly in addressing challenges linked to climate change. This focus is evident in MUST’s diverse range of schools, which include the School of Agriculture and Food Science (SAFs), School of Business and Economics (SBE), School of Computing and Informatics (SCI), School of Education (SED), School of Engineering and Architecture (SEA), School of Health Sciences (SHS), School of Pure and Applied Sciences (SPAS) and the School of Nursing (SoN). With a student population of over 13,000, MUST is dedicated to providing education that is both impactful and relevant in today’s rapidly changing world.
The collaboration with DAL has not only enriched the academic experience at MUST but has also played a pivotal role in internationalizing the University’s training programs. Following the success of the first COIL, a second COIL in Organic Horticulture was launched in September 2023, led by Prof. Lord Abbey and Prof. Peter Masinde. This too concluded successfully in December 2023, with several participating students from MUST now involved in the current field course.

The field course, which is the culmination of these efforts, will run until 23rd August 2024. It includes a comprehensive program featuring classroom presentations and interactions, complemented by field visits to various sites in Meru, Isiolo, Kirinyaga and Nairobi counties. The program is designed to be flexible, even including a visit to the Meru National Park, offering students from both DAL and MUST an opportunity to learn, contribute and gain valuable international experience.
Special mention was made of Prof. Lord Abbey for his continued support and commitment to this partnership. Prof. Abbey, who was the keynote speaker in June this year during our MUST International Conference (MUSTIC 2024), has accepted two master’s students from MUST into his lab in Canada. The Vice-Chancellor urged these students, Duncan and Tabitha, to work diligently towards their goal of conducting research and publishing papers.
The Vice-Chancellor also expressed deep appreciation to the organizers from DAL, including David Parks, Lana Bos and Grace Wenghofer, whose efforts and sponsorship have made this course possible. The staff at MUST were acknowledged for their participation and encouraged to use this opportunity to form joint research proposals and contribute to the course’s success.

In conclusion, the Vice-Chancellor officially launched the International Field Course on Development and Food Security, marking the beginning of what promises to be a transformative experience for all involved. The event symbolizes the strength of international collaboration and the shared commitment to addressing global challenges through education and research.