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Programme

Two days. One shared trajectory.

29–30 July 2026 · Argyle Grand Hotel Nairobi Airport, Mombasa Road, Nairobi, Kenya

Theme: Powering the Future of Higher Education in East Africa through Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations.

Day 0 · Tuesday

28 July 2026

Pre-Conference Workshop

Room: Restaurant
Pre-Conference WorkshopRoom: Restaurant

Shaping the EAC AI Learning Pathways Framework

14:00 – 17:00 A Sponsored session for the EAC AI Alliance project, supported by the German Cooperation:  This session is organised by IUCEA, in collaboration with UNESCO, JICA, and GIZ, as a facilitated in-person workshop for 50 invited stakeholders from key AI ecosystem players in the region. A stakeholder workshop that brings together universities, industry, government and development partners to validate, shape and build commitment around a practical framework guiding AI-related careers and learning pathways across the East African Community, combining short online courses, bootcamps, university courses and full degrees.

Day 1 · Wednesday

29 July 2026

Opening, Systems & Positioning

Room: Victoria
08:00 – 09:00
Arrival and Registration of Participants
Room: Victoria
Lead: Secretariat
09:00 – 09:15
Opening Session
National Anthem (Republic of Kenya)  East African Community Anthem  IUCEA Prayer  Welcome and Introduction of Delegates
Room: Victoria
Lead: Dr. Cosam Joseph and Darius Mogaka Ogutu
09:15 – 10:10
Opening Remarks
IUCEA Executive Secretary — Prof. Idris A. Rai  Chairperson, IUCEA Executive Committee — Prof. Rose Nanyonga  Representative of German Cooperation Secretary General, EAC — Amb. Stephen Patrick Mbundi  PS, State Department for EAC, Kenya — Dr. Caroline Karugu  PS, State Department for Higher Education, Kenya — Dr. Beatrice Muganda Inyangala Chief Guest, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Education — Hon. Julius Migos Ogamba
Room: Victoria
Lead: Dr. Cosam Joseph and Darius Mogaka Ogutu
10:10 – 10:30
Launch of IUCEA Strategy, AI Network of Universities 
Launch of IUCEA Strategic Plan (2026–2031) — Chair, Strategic Plan Development Team · Launch of Regional AI Network of Universities  Dr. Salome Guchu
Room: Victoria
Lead: Dr. Salome Guchu · MoU signing (CIMEA, HCERES)
10:30 – 11:00
Group Photo · Chief Guest visits the Exhibition Hall
Room: Victoria
11:00 – 11:30
Health Break and Networking
Room: Victoria
Session IModerator: Prof. Pauline Byakika-Kibwika, Vice Chancellor, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, UgandaRoom: Victoria

Strengthening Higher Education Systems through Strategic Partnerships and Regional Collaboration

How strategic partnerships and collaboration can strengthen higher education systems across East Africa — coordinated institutional policies, shared investments, and lessons for an integrated, globally competitive East African Higher Education Area.

11:30 – 12:00Keynote
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Vice Chancellor, Makerere University
Building East African Higher Education Systems through Strategic Partnerships: Narrowing Disparities, Adapting Best Practices, and Confronting Implementation Realities — A Makerere University & EAC Perspective
12:00 – 12:50 · Panel Presentations I (10 min each)
  • Dr. Abdikarim Mohaidin Ahmed, SIMAD University — Critical role of academic partnerships and collaborations in challenging environments
  • Prof. Mwenda Ntarangwi, United States International University, Africa (USIU-A) — Strategic partnership with alumni association for improving learning experiences
  • Prof. Julie Makani, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences — Partnership across research networks — practical experiencesVirtual
  • Dr. Idrissa Said Amour, Chief Administrator, IITM-Zanzibar — IITM-Zanzibar strategies and experiences in developing national and regional partnerships
12:50 – 13:00
Q&A / Open Discussion
Room: Victoria
13:00 – 14:00
Lunch Break and Networking
Room: Victoria
Session IIModerator: Prof. Rose A. Upor — Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic, University of Dar es Salaam, TanzaniaRoom: Victoria

Strategic Positioning of Higher Education Institutions through Partnerships and Collaboration

How governments and HEIs can strategically position themselves within an interconnected regional and global landscape — sustainable partnerships that strengthen teaching, research, innovation, international visibility, resource mobilization and institutional resilience.

14:00 – 14:30Keynote
Dr. Beatrice Muganda Inyangala, Principal Secretary, State Department for Higher Education, Kenya
Priorities for Strategic Collaboration and Partnerships as Catalysts for Transforming Higher Education and Skills Development in Kenya
14:30 – 15:30 · Panel Presentations II (10 min each)
  • Marina Larrea, Senior Policy Coordinator for Higher Education, OBREAL — Linking East African institutions to global knowledge networks
  • Eng. Prof. Ayub Gitau, Vice Chancellor, University of Nairobi — Engineering the Future: Leveraging Government–Industry–International Partnerships to Build Innovation-Driven Universities — The University of Nairobi Experience
  • Dr. Joerg Helmschrot, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) — Collaboration with Africa: Potential, Limitations and Risks
  • Dr. Joseph Gichuru, Deputy Executive Director, African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) — Institutional Strategies for Research, Policy Impact and Transformation: Why Collaboration and Partnership Matter?
  • Dr. Dorothee Weyler, Director, Regional Office for Africa, DAAD — Strategic positioning: institutions for collaborations beyond borders
Session IIIModerator: Prof. Dr. Isaac Ayii, Vice Chancellor, Ayii University, RSSRoom: Victoria

Internationalization, Academic Mobility and Cross-Border Partnerships for Global Engagement

Strengthening internationalization through partnerships that promote student and staff mobility, cross-border education, language collaboration, joint academic programs and global institutional engagement.

15:30 – 16:30 · Panel Discussion
  • Ms. Dorine Rwehera, Scholarship Officer, IUCEA — Unlocking Regional Academic Mobility: Opportunities through the EAC Students' Mobility Scholarship Scheme (EAC-SMS)
  • Dr. Charline Uwilingiyamana, DVC Academic and Research, INES — The role of partnerships and collaborations for promoting academic mobility at INES
  • Prof. Juraev Salomovich, Dean of International Faculty, KDU Global, South Korea — Expanding KDU Global Network to East African Universities — 8-year mobility partnership experience
  • Prof. Said Ali Hamad Vuai, Vice Chancellor, State University of Zanzibar — Language Partnerships for Internationalization: Kiswahili Training for International Students
  • Dr. Jang Suk-Hwan, President, Daejin University, South Korea — Mobility Opportunities at Daejin University for East African Youth
16:30 – 17:30
Health Break, Networking and Bilateral Engagements
Room: Victoria
18:30 – 21:30
Official Conference Dinner · End of Day 1
Room: Victoria
Day 2 · Thursday

30 July 2026

Industry, Digital, AI & Closure

Room: Victoria
07:00 – 09:00
Bilateral Networking and Partnership Round Tables
Structured platform for Vice Chancellors, invited partners, HE leaders, policymakers and industry to hold focused bilateral meetings and thematic round-tables — strengthening partnerships and catalysing strategic initiatives for the East African Higher Education Area.
Room: Victoria
Lead: IUCEA
08:30 – 09:00
Registration of Participants
Room: Victoria
Lead: Secretariat
Session IVModerator: Prof. Charles Kihampa — Executive Secretary, TCURoom: Victoria

Public-Private-Industry Partnerships for Skills Development and Sustainable Financing

Partnerships across HEIs, industry, government and development partners to strengthen skills development, innovation ecosystems, entrepreneurship, employability and sustainable financing.

09:00 – 09:30Keynote
Mr. John W. Waimiri, Executive Director, Family Group Foundation
Strategic Industry Investment in Higher Education and Skills Ecosystems beyond Corporate Social Responsibility
09:30 – 10:30 · Panel Presentations IV (10 min each)
  • Prof. Peter Muchiri, Vice Chancellor, Dedan Kimathi University of Technology — University-Industry Partnership as a Catalyst for Entrepreneurial and Innovation-Driven Universities
  • Prof. Alex Ariho, African Agribusiness Incubators Network (AAIN) — Partnership for incubation systems to enterprise creation
  • Gu Jia, Solutions Architect, Tencent — How AI Empowers Learning, Teaching and Scientific ResearchVirtual
  • Prof. John Gyapong, Secretary General, African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) — The Power of University Alliances: How strategic partnerships advance research, innovation and societal impactVirtual
  • Mr. John Matogo, CSR Leader, Middle East & Africa, IBM — Creating Shared Value Through University–Industry Collaboration: The IBM SkillsBuild Model
10:30 – 11:00
Health Break and Networking
Room: Victoria
Session VModerator: Ben Ruhinda — Senior Systems Officer, IUCEARoom: Victoria

Collaboration for Digital Transformation and AI-Enabled Higher Education Systems

Partnerships to accelerate digital transformation and responsible AI adoption — digital infrastructure and pedagogy, AI-enabled teaching, learning and research, and regional digital ecosystems for future-ready institutions.

11:00 – 11:30Keynote
Dr. Minu Ipe, Vice Chair and Managing Director, University Design Institute- Arizona State
Whole-University Digital Transformation and AI: Lessons from Partnering with African Universities on Building Inclusive, Resilient Higher Education Systems
11:30 – 12:20 · Panel Presentations V (10 min each)
  • Dr. Salome Guchu, Head of Research and Innovation, IUCEA — IUCEA efforts and progress in advancing AI education, research and innovation in the EAC
  • Mr. CAO Zian, Chief of the IIOE Management Centre, UNESCO-ICHEI — Partnership on skilling academics on the use of AI in teaching, learning and research
  • Dale Johnson, Senior Director for Digital Innovation, University Design Institute, ASU — Shared digital infrastructure and platforms for cross-border delivery of education
  • Dr. Pauline Essah, CEO, Education Sub-Saharan Africa (ESSA) — Integration of AI in teaching, learning, research and institutional management
  • Lorna Juma, Oracle Academy Program Manager, Africa — From AI Adoption to Institutional Readiness: Building Future-Ready HE through Educator Enablement and Industry Collaboration
Session VIModerator: Prof. Yvonne Ibebeke Bomangwa Saila — Rector, Kinshasa UNPRoom: Victoria

Cross-Border Partnerships for Quality Assurance, Skills Development and Qualifications Recognition

Regional and international partnerships to strengthen QA systems, mutual recognition of qualifications, graduate employability and institutional trust across East Africa.

12:20 – 13:10 · Panel Discussion
  • Carmela Salzano, UNESCO — Strengthening skills and graduate employability through institutional partnerships: UNESCO’s experiences from Tanzania and Uganda and opportunities through the Global Skills Academy
  • Elisa Petrucci, Head of International Cooperation and Policy Development, CIMEA, Italy — Digital solutions for countering academic fraud and enhancing qualifications recognition
  • Dr. Nicholas Zorzin, Head, European and International Affairs Department, HCERES, France — Exploring the use of digital platforms in evaluation of higher education and research
  • Nicholas Mbonimpa, CEO, Research and Education Network for Uganda (RENU) — From Connectivity to Credentials: Digital Enablers of Regional Higher Education Integration
13:10 – 14:10
Lunch Break and Networking
Room: Victoria
Session VIIRoom: Victoria

Building a Regional AI Network of Excellence for Higher Education, Research and Innovation

Practical pathways for a sustainable regional AI ecosystem - collaborative governance, research partnerships, shared digital infrastructure, ethical AI, and talent development positioning East Africa as an AI-driven regional hub.

14:10 – 14:20PRESENTATION
Ms. Evelyn Elliseus Rutazana, Regional AI Policy Advisor, EAC AI Alliance - GIZ EAC
Unlocking AI East Africa's AI Potential through Regional Network of Excellence
14:20 – 15:10 · Panel Discussion
  • Prof. Joyce Nabende Nakatumba, Head AI Lab, Makerere University — AI Curriculum joint collaboration research and development of AI talent
  • Davor Orlic, COO, International Research Center on Artificial Intelligence (IRCIA) — Global perspectives on AI governance, research collaboration, responsible AI.
  • Dr. Esther Gathenya Khakata, Director Research, Strathmore and DIGITAfrica Expert — Regional AI governance, harmonisation, and enabling frameworks for cross-border collaboration.
  • Benson Kinoti, Education Lead, Google Sub Sahara Africa — Industry demand, AI infrastructure, investment, and strengthening industry-academia collaboration for AI adoption
  • Mercy Kimalat, CEO, Association of Startups and SMEs of Kenya — Access, grassroots models, and the equity guardrails.
Session VIIIRoom: Victoria

Partner Forum — Scaling Strategic Partnerships for Transforming Higher Education in East Africa

Showcasing successful partnership models and generating concrete commitments — coordinated investment, new areas for collaboration and long-term partnerships supporting the IUCEA Strategic Plan and the East African HE Area.

15:10 – 16:15 · Partner Forum
16:15 – 16:30
Signing  Partner Partnership agreements 
Room: Victoria
16:30 – 17:00
Official Closure · Resolutions of the 17th Conference
Room: Victoria
Alongside the conference

Side Meetings

30 July 2026
07:00 – 08:45
Adapt IT Breakfast SessionBy invitation
Room: Voco 2
Host: Adapt IT
07:45 – 08:45
Future-Proofing Higher Education: Building Integrated Digital Ecosystems for Regional StandardizationBy invitation
Room: Diamond
Host: ARXIA
Adservio, the digitalization specialist for university management, invites you to an interactive session on how to design and sustain your digital transformation journey. Find out more about a state-of-the-art digital solution that already empowers many universities in the world and engage with a team of digitalization experts, on topics such as data and knowledge management, acceleration using AI and interoperability. By Grace Labong Achire, Manager, International Business Development, East and Central Africa, ARXIA
15:10 – 16:10
Vice Chancellors' Leadership Round Table: Designing Future-Ready Universities in East AfricaClosed Session
Room: Diamond
Contact person: Dr. Minu Ipe, University Design Institute — Arizona State University

Provisional programme — subject to change. Session details, speakers and timings are being confirmed.