REFLECTIONS ON THE 2017 SPRING SEMESTER
a) Research
Research Funding: With external research funding from USAID-DAI Global, LLC worth of $71,645.00 (KES 7,300,625.50), School of Science and Technology faculty Assistant Professor of Journalism Dr. Dorothy Njoroge & Lecturer of Journalism Ms. Robi Koki are preparing a Countering Violent Extremism Strategic Communications Pilot Plan.
Led by its Director Mr. Moses Onyango, the Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs (IPPIA) in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, has received AUSD 7,530.60 (KES 760, 778.90)
Dr. Edith K. Amuhaya in the School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences has been awarded a grant of $500,000 from the International Development Research Center of Canada for a project titled “South African Tri-lateral Research Chairs Initiative” to provide supervision to students in the health sciences in Kenya, South Africa, and Canada.
The International Relations Program has been awarded a grant of $258,000 from the World Bank for a project on crime and violence prevention training.
b) Conferences
HNMUN Conference 2017: Two faculty advisors Assistant Professor of International Relations Dr. David Mwambari and Assistant Professor of Psychology Dr. Oscar Githua led 21 undergraduate students to attend the annual 63rd Harvard National United Nations (HNMUN) Conference at Harvard University from 14-26 February. HNMUN serves as a forum in which students from colleges and universities around the world can meet to discuss the greatest challenges facing the world today in fields ranging from international peace and security to economic and social progress and human rights.
The delegation also visited Center for African Studies at Harvard University, the Hip Hop Archive Museum, the Art Gallery Museum, the UN Headquarters and Kenya’s Permanent Mission to the UN in New York, (where they met Kenya’s Ambassador H.E Macharia Kamau),and observed the African Model United Nations held in Washington DC
AfroMUN Conference 2017: For the second time in a row, USIU-Africa hosted the African Model United Nations at the United Nations Office in Nairobi from 6-9 March, 2017. Students from around the continent gathered to discuss the theme: “Becoming Agents of Change: Youth for Regional Peace and Security”. The closing ceremony was addressed by among others Director General, United Nations Office Nairobi Amb. Sahle - Work Zewde, Norway's Ambassador to Kenya, Somalia and the Seychelles and Permanent Representative to UNEP and UN Habitat Amb. Victor Ronneberg, USIU-Africa Chancellor Dr. Manu Chandaria and USIU-Africa University Council Chair Dr. Lola Odubekun.
c) Diversity
Culture Week 2017: From 14-16 March, the university’s annual cultural festival – Culture Week 2017 - celebrated the diversity among the university community through food, dress, music and language culminating in an exciting culture night concert. For the first time, Culture Week at USIU-Africa incorporated a student research component.
d) Fundraising
Towards the end of the Spring 2017 semester, the Red Cross club in conjunction with the Office of Fundraising, conducted a campaign to rally students to contribute both in kind and cash to alleviate hunger in northern Kenya.
Also at the tail end of the semester, the members of the USIU-Africa chapter of the President’s Award Scheme – an international youth self-development program – raised funds and conducted repairs worth KES. 102,000 at Our Lady of Grace Children’s Home in Meru County.
Members of the Rotaract Club donated dry foods, detergent and clothing worth KES 50,000 to Yard Children's Home in Nairobi at the end of March.
e) Student Leadership
Student Affairs Council: During the Spring Semester, SAC held successful elections for the new student government. Sophomore Chad Naggi is the new Chairperson, and he is deputized by Rida Raheel. Other members include Will Kaputeni (Secretary), Sumaya Mustafa (Treasurer), Academic Affairs Representatives Mumina Muhamed (Graduate), Adam Kadidi (School of Humanities & Social Sciences), Brian Wekesa (Chandaria School of Business) and Bruno Lochemem (School of Science & Technology & School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences).Neha Shetty (International Students) and Brian Juma (Social Services) are the welfare representatives.
The council members were joined by newly-elected officials from other student organizations for a leadership retreat at Sagana Getaway Resort from 19-21 April, to familiarize the students with official protocols, and equipment with the skills necessary to navigate their new responsibilities.
f) Sports
Congratulations to our basketball teams for placing fourth overall in the Afro-Varsity 3x3 Basketball Challenge held on campus at the end of April 2017. USIU-Africa became the first university in Kenya and the second in East Africa to successfully host the event that attracted over 100 athletes from Senegal, South Africa, Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya.
Congratulations are also in order for our ladies’ hockey team who retained their national crown when for the second year running they won the Kenya Universities Sports Association (KUSA) Women’s Hockey League. Both the men and ladies teams had previously won the Annual Nabungolo peace tournament in February.
Finally, our men’s soccer team were first runner-up in the KUSA Men’s Soccer League, while our rugby team were second runner-up in the Kenya Rugby Union Championship League.
SUMMER SEMESTER FOCUS
CARNEGIE AFRICAN DIASPORA FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM: Aimed at boosting the research and teaching output, the CADFP provides USIU-Africa an exceptional opportunity to link faculty with experienced and highly skilled colleagues teaching at universities abroad. The fellows will be hosted by various schools as follows:
Host: Dr. Naumih Noah, Assistant Professor, School of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
Planned Activities: Collaborative research; Curriculum co-development
Project Title: To develop a research collaboration that will involve undergraduate student training and mentoring in the search for greener antimicrobial agents for detoxification of common disease-causing pathogens and curriculum development in Analytical chemistry.
CADF Scholar: Dr. Emily A. Obuya, Assistant Professor of Inorganic Chemistry, Sage Colleges in Troy, New York.
Host: Dr. Dorothy Njoroge, Assistant Professor, School of Science & Technology
Planned Activities: Graduate student teaching/mentoring
Project Title: Graduate Student Training and Mentorship at USIU-Africa
CADF Scholar: Prof. Nancy W. Muturi, Professor, School of Journalism and Mass Communications, Kansas State University
Host: Dr. David Mwambari, Assistant Professor of International Relations
CADF Scholar: Prof. Peyibomi Soyinka- Ariwele, Professor of African & Comparative/ International Politics, Ithaca College, New York
Host: Dr. Paul Okanda, ICT Director & School of Science & Technology
CADPF Scholar: Prof. Charlie Fredrick Obimbo, School of Computer Science, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada. Project: Co-development of Master of Science in Information Security
CALL TO ACTION
ACADEMIC CATALOGUE: With the changes taking place in the Kenyan education landscape, the Schools and student support departments are requested to complete submission of accurate, approved information on academic programs, policies and administrators before the end of May 2017.