(From Left) Prof. E.H.N. Njeru, Principal, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Prof. Isaac Mbeche, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Student Affairs, Ambassador, Republic of Korea, H.E. Chan-Woo K and Dr. Jennifer Muchiri, one of the book editors untie a ribbon to signify the launch of book The Essay as a Handshake.

The University of Nairobi and the Academy of Korean Studies have launched a book titled The Essay as a Handshake: Impressions on the Kenyan-Korean Interface.

The book is a result of the Kenya-Korea Essay Competition that was held last year through the Bridging the Divide: Networking African and Korean Researchers’ Project. The competition attracted the participation of over 80 UoN students who submitted essays, 11 of which were selected for publishing.

The book was launched by the Ambassador, Republic of Korea, H.E. Chan-Woo Kim in a ceremony graced by Prof. Isaac Mbeche, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Student Affairs, UoN, who was representing the Vice-Chancellor. H.E. Chan-Woo Kim congratulated the team on developing a publication that will continue to strengthen the relationship between the two countries. He termed the book as an avenue to not only learn from each other but also appreciate the diverse cultures of the people.

Prof. Mbeche said that the launch of the book is testament of the growing relations between the University and Korea. He commended the Project’s Research Director, Prof. D.H. Kiiru and his co-researcher, Prof. Peter Wasamba for their due diligence in implementing the project. The spirit behind the endeavour of the University is to create international links and programmes that promote collaboration in research, student and staff exchange, sharing of research findings, dissemination of research through publications and participation in conferences.

Edited by Prof. Kiiru, Dr. Jennifer Mucheni and Prof. Wasamba, the essays have been drawn from the field of economics, education, literature, culture, history, sociology and international relations.

The book reflects on the relationship between Kenya and Korea over the past 40 years and is testament of the spirit of cooperation and mutual agreement in education and research signed in 2010 between the Academy of Korean Studies and the University.

The book launch follows the visit by South Korea's Prime Minister H.E. Kim Hwang-Sik who witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the University and the Korean Foundation.

In attendance was Prof. E.H.N. Njeru, Principal, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Prof. P. Chitere, Dean, Faculty of Arts, Prof. YongKyu Chang, Hankuk University, Korea, UoN staff and students.

 Some of the young authors.