Global Partnership To Boost Public Policy Research at UoN
The University of Nairobi (UoN), the Partnership for African Social and Governance Research (PASGR), and the Carnegie Corporation of New York have embarked on a strengthened partnership to elevate research in public policy. This exciting collaboration was announced during a recent courtesy call to UoN's Vice Chancellor, Prof. Stephen Kiama, by the President of Carnegie Corporation, Dame Louise Richardson, and Prof. Narciso Matos, Chair of PASGR's Board of Directors.
PASGR, established in 2011, champions excellence in public policy research. Its partnership with Carnegie Corporation has empowered postgraduate students pursuing public policy research. This impactful collaboration has enabled UoN to forge agreements with the University of Ibadan (Nigeria) and the University of Pretoria (South Africa). These partnerships have offered valuable opportunities for faculty exchange programs, pedagogical training, and co-supervision, propelling UoN towards global competitiveness.
Prof. Fred Jonyo, Chair of UoN's Political Science and Public Administration department, lauded the Carnegie Network partnership, highlighting the benefits for students. "Through Carnegie Corporation's support, 21 students have benefitted, fostering significant capacity building for the university," he shared.
Prof. Karuti Kanyinga, a PASGR board member and founding partner, acknowledged the program's success while advocating for increased visibility. "Encouraging publication in high-impact journals will raise the program's profile," he said. "PASGR and UoN can further support other faculty members nationwide, enhancing program visibility."
Dame Louise Richardson, former Vice Chancellor of St. Andrews and Oxford Universities, commended UoN's progress and inquired about its biggest challenge. "What are the key challenges faced by the university?" she asked.
Prof. Kiama acknowledged funding as the primary challenge, expressing gratitude for the improved university funding model implemented last year but emphasizing the need for further advancements. He underscored the value of such partnerships for student networking. "As a student at St. Andrews, my interactions fueled a global perspective, shaping my thinking," he shared.
Prof. Kiama further emphasized the need to enhance postgraduate training and attract top researchers. "Building capacity to train and retain the best researchers is crucial," he stated.
Carnegie Corporation, established in 1911, stands as a prominent American philanthropic institution, fostering education programs across the U.S. It serves as an incubator for innovative solutions to pressing societal challenges, ranging from educational reform to international peace, immigrant integration, and more.
For over a century, Carnegie Corporation's grant-making has played a pivotal role in supporting groundbreaking initiatives in education, democratic engagement, and international peace and security. Over the past two decades, the UoN, PASGR, and Carnegie Corporation partnerships has focused on amplifying research scholarships and publication visibility.
