A REFLECTION ON THE 2017 SPRING SEMESTER
a) FUNDRAISING
The unprecedented participation of a large cross section of students, staff and faculty, supported by the Office of Fundraising, raised a recording-breaking Kshs.1.533 million between March 16 and April 8, 2017. The donation The amount raised was handed over to Kenya Red Cross Society on April 12, 2017.
b) PARTNERSHIPS
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN ANIMATION (PROPOSED): The University continues its collaboration with the French Embassy to secure a partnership valued at US$2 million, with the EMCA College of Animation in France, leading to the introduction of the Bachelor of Arts in Animation program. Four other potential partnerships are also being cultivated. This include Jumia Group, Communication Authority of Kenya, Google East Africa, and the Agence Française de Développement (Agency for French Development).
UNIVERSITY OF GLOBAL HEALTH EQUITY – RWANDA: The office continue to pursue collaboration with University of Global Health Equity – Rwanda in areas of faculty research, program development, scholarships and infrastructure support for the School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.
MEMORANDUMS OF AGREEMENT SIGNED
- LOYOLA MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY: Partnership Agreement signed on January 26, 2017
- UNIVERSITY OF KOBLENZ-LANDAU (GERMANY): Partnership Agreement signed on February 15, 2017.
- HOWARD UNIVERSITY: In the process of renewing an agreement that expired in 2016.
NEW INTER-INSTITUTIONAL COLLABORATIONS
- HARVARD UNIVERSITY: Harvard University hosted a team from USIU-Africa on February 7-8. USIU-Africa and Harvard University together with the Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program organized a Conference on "The Role of the Diaspora in the Revitalization of African Higher Education" that was attended by more than 80 participants including Vice Chancellors, Ministers of Education, corporate executives, and Foundation leaders.
- DVC - Academic & Student Affairs Amb. Prof. Ruthie Rono will lead a USIU-Africa team that will participate in the launch of the Harvard University office in Johannesburg, South Africa at the end of May.
- UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN: Following the visit by a team from UCT in April, Amb. Prof. Ruthie Rono will make a return visit to UCT at the end of May.
- UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD
- GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- UNIVERSITY OF WEST INDIES
c) MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS
AFRICAN EXCELLENCE AWARDS: Marketing and Communications has for the second year in a row received the African Excellence Award for the "Our Land Our Future" Campaign in the Crisis Communications category of the premier African public relations and communication competition. The campaign sought to manage the university's reputation and educate stakeholders on land grabbing issues, and run from July to October 2016.
It was a double honor, as Chief Manager - Marketing & Communications Ms. Jane Muriithi-Thomas was selected to serve on the Jury panel of eminent public relations and communications professionals, that evaluated over 2500 entries in 26 categories from across the continent. This recognition of her professional expertise and wide experience in public relations and communications, is a positive reflection of the excellence for which USIU-Africa is known, and - along with the Award - places the university's Marketing and Communications department at par with global public relations and communications firms.
MARKETING PLAN LAUNCH: The Marketing and Communication department developed a marketing and communications plan with the collaboration of various departments and schools. The plan was approved by the management board and was launched in April 2017.
The department developed a pocket book (Z-Card), which was presented and distributed to attendees, as part of the department's strategy to mobilize internal university stakeholders to further support marketing efforts. The pocket book presents in a pocket-size format, key university information necessary for members of the university community to present our unique educational opportunities to potential students, parents and guardians.
MEDIA ROUNDTABLE: In March 2017, the department hosted a successful media roundtable, which was attended by journalists and editors from various media houses, and received favorable support from the Media Council of Kenya.
d) ALUMNI
TECH WOMEN CONFERENCE: The Alumni Association hosted the first Africa Tech Women Conference, which focused on women in Technology attracted over 500 women from the Silicon Valley, professionals, university students and select secondary schools for girls, with a focus on Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) related courses.
YOUNG ALUMNI NETWORK (YAN): In April, Alumni Association’s YAN initiative hosted a mentorship session for alumni aged below 30 at the auditorium dubbed Expectations Meet Reality.
SUMMER SEMESTER FOCUS
2017 USIU-AFRICA FUN RUN: This is an annual activity that draws people from all walks of life in Kenya to create awareness and raise funds towards supporting gifted students requiring financial assistance to pursue a quality higher education at USIU-Africa.
CONTENT HUB: The Marketing and Communications department will implement the Content Hub concept in order to align communication outcomes with university objectives. The concept calls for a streamlined approach to information gathering and reporting, with emphasis on stakeholder participation and ownership.
PUBLICATIONS: Two key university publications namely, 2017/18 Academic Catalog and the Re-affirmation of Reaccreditation Report will be issued.
FALL 2017 MARKETING: Building on the groundwork laid during the Summer 2017 marketing campaign, the Marketing and Communications department will continue engaging university community members to participate in the recruitment efforts, through targeted activities. For new academic programs to be launched in the Fall 2017 semester, publicity materials and content will be developed in collaboration with Academic Affairs.
COMMENCEMENT 2017: Marketing and communications planning for Commencement 2017 is underway. This year’s Commencement day is on Saturday, September 9, 2017. During this period we will also need to mitigate any delays that could possibly be caused by the Kenyan General Election that will take place on August 8, 2017.
USIU-AFRICA ALUMNI AGM: On June 24 2017, the Association will hold its Annual General Meeting at the auditorium, where a number of governance issues will be determined, as well as ratification of officials and adoption of audited reports.
ALUMNI ENDOWMENT AND TALK: On June 24 2017, Alumni Affairs has invited a renowned senior executive to speak on giving and the creation of a personal legacy. On this day, the Alumni Association will also launch an endowment fund.
A CALL TO ACTION
USIU-AFRICA FUN RUN/WALK: As planning for the 3rd edition of USIU-Africa Fun Run/Walk gets underway, we are all encouraged to register as participants, volunteer to assist with the logistics and refer either a friend or an organization to join the fundraising event. For further details, kindly contact Mr. Eannes Ongus on egongus@usiu.ac.ke.
WEBSITE UPDATE: Following a call in March 2017 for all university departments to forward updated information for their sections on the university website, departments are requested to provide accurate, expansive and strategic data by end of May 2017.