Kenya and Italy have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on education cooperation, renewing and expanding collaboration in higher education, research, innovation, and skills development, following the lapse of an earlier agreement.
The MoU signed by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba and Italian Minister for University and Research Anna Maria Bernini in Nairobi on Monday, seeks to further strengthen cooperation in the field of higher education, training and research between Kenya and Italy through joint actions and programs aimed at supporting the mobility of researchers, faculty members and students, and the realization of joint research projects, as well as the joint use of scientific and technological infrastructure.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said the new MoU aims to operationalize a range of programs and collaborations that reflect the evolving needs of the 21st century.
“We’ve been operating on a memorandum that was signed a long time ago, and it had come out of operation, and we thought it is important for us to have a new memorandum of understanding to allow us to effect the number of programs and collaborations that we want to undertake between Italy and Kenya,” Ogamba said.
He added that the partnership, which builds on 64 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, would strengthen higher education, research, and innovation initiatives.
Italian Minister for University and Research Anna Maria Bernini described the MoU as “just the beginning” of a broader collaboration, emphasizing the need for ecosystem-wide cooperation involving universities, research institutions, businesses, and communities.
“We will implement the mobility of our students, researchers, technologists, professors, because we have to implement infrastructures, technological infrastructures, large research infrastructures, but the first infrastructure is human capital, and that’s the goal. That’s the treasure that we want to implement together,” she said.
President William Ruto who also attended the ceremony said the partnership positions Kenya as a co-creator of knowledge and technology, particularly in artificial intelligence, science, and innovation.
“With the signing of this MoU I am confident that we should be able now to do more on sharing knowledge and expertise around artificial intelligence… We will participate. We will be co-creators of technology, governance, use and benefits of artificial intelligence that is going to go a long way in making all the sectors of our economy, from education to science to agriculture to climate change to health,” Ruto said.
The president further highlighted plans to expand technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in Kenya, equipping 60 to 70 institutions with modern tools to enhance learners’ skills and competencies.
He also underscored efforts to deepen academic exchange between Kenyan and Italian universities, ensuring mobility of students, lecturers, and professionals.
Ruto added that the MoU would facilitate practical cooperation on projects such as the development of Malindi Space Center, dams in Marakwet, and Malindi airport, while enhancing people-to-people engagement.
“We appreciate the minister’s visit to Kenya… and my team will ensure that everything we have agreed on will make progress together in the best interest of the people of Kenya, the people of Italy, and humanity,” he said.
The agreement marks a major milestone in strengthening Kenya-Italy ties in education, science, research, and innovation, while promoting knowledge sharing and capacity building for both countries.
