University Of KwaZulu Natal, SA benchmarks with UoN on reforms
A delegation from Kwazulu Natal University, South Africa led by Prof. Stephen Mutula paid a courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor of the University of Nairobi, Prof. Kiama Gitahi on 27th July 2022 at 8.00am.
The team visited the University of Nairobi to benchmark on the ongoing governance reforms that UoN has carried out recently. Kwazulu Natal is still using the College Administrative system which UoN abolished during the implementation of governance reforms. Kwazulu Natal had borrowed the system from UoN. Prof. Mutula noted the college system is expensive and bureaucratic.
During the discussion with the VC, the two universities agreed to enter into a collaborative agreement that will help in enhancing academic and research outputs between the two universities. The agreement will also help the two premier universities in Africa achieve the 2063 Africa Agenda through scholarships.
The two leaders encouraged academic staff from the two universities to engage in joint research activities in order to attract more funding. In South Africa the government pays about Kshs. 3.2 million to researchers for every article published.
The two universities also observed the need to support internationalization as a strategy for increasing their market share and improving global ranking.
Kwazulu Natal University is the fourth ranked university in Africa and in South Africa while UoN is ranked number 11 in Africa and number 1 in East Africa. The University of Kwazulu Natal has a population of 45,000 students and 4,000 staff while UoN has 50,000 students with about similar number of staff.
