Prof. George Magoha and Prof. David Barnard exchange signed copies of the MOU

The signing ceremony marked the continuation of a productive partnership that begun 32 years ago.

Prof. George Magoha, Vice-Chancellor, UoN and Prof. David Barnard, President, University of Manitoba, signed the MOU at the University of Nairobi extending the partnership. The collaboration between the two institutions has over the years flourished evidenced in the establishment and growth of the University of Nairobi Institute for Tropical and Infectious Diseases (UNITID) which is located at the College of Health Sciences (CHS), Faculty of Medicine.

UNITID was established in 2003 with the mandate of harnessing research activities and initiating training programmes geared towards management and control of infectious diseases.

The Institute houses two Biosafety Level 3 Laboratories which are run through joint partnership between the two universities and the National Microbiology of Canada.

Speaking during the ceremony, Prof. Magoha said that by renewing the MOU, operations and management of the UNITID facilities will proceed as planned. He noted that the Institute has made tremendous strides in research in infectious diseases and will continue doing so.

On his part, Prof, Barnard singled out the collaboration with UoN as one of the most successful and fruitful ventures and pledged more support from Manitoba.

Prof. Isaac Kibwage, Principal, CHS, Prof. S. Mitema, Director, Centre for International Programmes and Linkages and Prof. Walter O. Mwanda, Director, UNITID witnessed the signing of the MOU.