EU-Kenya cooperation: advancing the transformative potential of higher education

This year the EU and Kenya are celebrating 50 years of cooperation. Throughout the jubilee year, the EU Delegation in Kenya is highlighting collaboration in education, science and culture, with Erasmus+ playing a central role.

EACEA joined forces with the EU Delegation to organise a celebratory event on 2 June bringing together around 100 participants from universities, NGOs, private sector, alumni networks, particularly focusing on Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) projects. It was hosted by the National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI) in Nairobi.

A panel discussion explored the major transformations underway in Kenya's higher education sector and the role of EU–Kenya cooperation in supporting reform, innovation, and the strengthening of institutional capacities.

Internationalisation and regional cooperation were emphasised as important aspects for increasing quality of higher education and research, innovation, and fostering skills that better respond to labour market needs. Among the ideas discussed were the need for more locally driven internationalisation that responds to African priorities, as well as more Centres of Excellence capable of driving innovation in the region.

The event also provided a valuable platform for participants to reflect on achievements, address shared challenges and explore opportunities to strengthen the impact of CBHE projects in Kenya.

Participants discussed challenges for CBHE projects such as administrative bureaucracy, policy gaps, mobility barriers and uneven institutional capacity which can hinder the implementation of projects.

Best practices included:

- embedding projects within university strategic plans, policies and budgets, 

- strong stakeholder engagement, with universities cooperating with private sector, civil society, and communities,

- strengthening Training of Trainers approaches,

- combining innovative teaching approaches with substantial lecturer training. 

Several speakers stressed that successful CBHE partnerships should generate lasting, system-wide change, with capacity building and investments in infrastructure or equipment contributing to broader structural reform. 

Amongst the recommendations aimed at the EU and the Erasmus+ programme were greater support to facilitate mobility and visa processing for Erasmus+ participants, as well as more opportunities for networking and knowledge exchange between projects.