Five universities are partnering with the University of Cambridge to increase the number of PhDs in Kenya.
University Education PS Collette Suda said the five institutions will also work with the Kenya Medical Research Institute and the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology.
They are Kenyatta, Mt Kenya, University of Nairobi, Maseno and the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. The Cambridge University–Africa programme aims to increase the number of qualified teaching staff at PhD and master’s levels.
Areas of focus include engineering, medicine and data analysis. Inadequate staff, limited funds for research and lack of equipment have also been identified as problems to solve. The institutions are expected to finalise the country proposal, which will be presented to Cambridge and the UK government.
Suda said the majority of Kenyan
universities do not have sufficient doctoral staff. She encouraged the institutions to focus on priority areas.
Suda said the training will equip staff with advanced research skills and the expertise required to teach master’s and PhD programmes.
Suda was addressing representatives from the institutions at Jogoo House on Wednesday.
