Technical University of Kenya (TU-K), in collaboration with Tangaza University, Africa Nazarene University, Co-operative University of Kenya, and Royal Holloway University of London, UK, are working on a collaborative research on, ‘Going Global, Advancing Inclusivity in Education.’
This was discussed during a meeting held today at TU-K chaired by Deputy Vice-Chancellor DVC-in charge of Institutional Advancement and Enterprise (IAE) Prof. Paul Wambua. The guests were: Tangaza University Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Academic, Research and Student Affairs, Dr. Daniel Kitonga, Tangaza’s
Disability Inclusion Officer, Brenda Kiema and Dr. Shem Mwalwa from the same committee while Royal Holloway University of London, the main sponsor of the research was represented by Prof. Anica Zeyen, and Amy stone.
TU-K was represented by the Director, University Health and Wellness Services, Dr. Argwings Kodhek, Disability Mainstreaming Committee Vice-Chairman, Dr. Lydia Oriko, Focal Person, Mr. Robert Borter, among others.
The meeting comes following the MoU between Tangaza University and Technical University of Kenya on advancing inclusive education in higher education.
Prof. Wambua said that the visit presented a valuable opportunity to show-case ongoing initiatives at TU-K and strengthening support for students living with disabilities.
The DVC went further to explain that a lot had been accomplished and more engagements are ongoing in areas such as capacity building, developing of a training manual, among others.
“There is a lot we will pursue together under this partnership. We are looking forward to more engagements,” said the Prof Wambua.
Dr. Kitonga thanked Vice-Chancellors of the three universities; TU-K’s Prof. Benedict Mutua, Tangaza’s Rev. Prof. Patrick Mwania, and Royal Holloway University of London, Prof. Julie Sanders, for signing the MoU and opening movement for discussion on areas of inclusivity. He termed it a big consortium.
Prof. Zeyen noted that her university was interested in getting updates on inclusivity from different universities and therefore they will sign a bilateral MoU on issues concerning disability.
Ms. Kiema said that the research will be guided by several collaborative activities for instance; capacity building, physical dissemination of reports, baseline survey among many others.
Mr. Borter, gave a status report on persons with disability matters at TU-K highlighting some of the achievements the University had made for instance training 20 sign language interpreters, placing ramps in some buildings, giving equal opportunity in employment and student leadership among others.
