By Gideon Kirui
The Institute took another major step in advancing its postgraduate education and research training agenda through strengthened collaboration with the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), United Kingdom.
On 24th September 2025, Ag. Director General, Prof. Elijah Songok, hosted Prof. Isabel Lucas, Pro Vice Chancellor for the Faculty of Education at LSTM, as part of a broader mission to deepen academic and research ties between the two institutions.
Prof. Lucas began her visit with a courtesy call on the DG, represented by Director of Corporate Services, Mr. Jones Otuke during the recent visit at the Institute. Discussions focused on building stronger frameworks for postgraduate education, research training, and institutional collaboration. “We are honoured to host you today at KEMRI, based on the longstanding partnership with LSTM. We want to move this collaboration to another level and explore new areas of convergence that will enrich both institutions,” said Mr. Otuke. He also expressed optimism about the anticipated awarding of a university charter to the KEMRI Graduate School, noting that the milestone would open fresh opportunities for global partnerships.
Prof. Lucas underscored the value of such long-term academic collaborations in shaping global health outcomes. “I am here to better understand KEMRI’s work and to support you in your journey towards charter status. KEMRI has been designated as a strategic institution, and I am excited to see how we can build on this partnership,” she said.
Her visit comes shortly after the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between KEMRI and LSTM, which aims to broaden cooperation in postgraduate training and research capacity-building.
According to the Ag. Director of Research Capacity Building, Dr. Martin Bundi, the collaboration with LSTM represents a transformative opportunity: “Having LSTM, a top-ranked UK university, partner with us is a great milestone. Prof. Lucas’s vision aligns with our mission to enhance training and deliver on our institutional mandate.”
The boardroom session was attended by senior officials from KEMRI, including Ag. Deputy Director, Centre for Virus Research (CVR) Dr. Samoel Khamadi, Ag. Deputy Director of Corporate Communications, Dr. Sammy Baya, Mr. Barnabas Kimatoi, Office of the DG; Mr. Brian Orwa, Information Officer at the Graduate School; and among others.
Later, Prof. Lucas held in-depth discussions with faculty, course coordinators, and staff at the Graduate School. Talks centred on joint opportunities in postgraduate programmes, professional short courses, summer schools, and staff development initiatives. She also met with students, who engaged her on curriculum design, mentorship, and access to international academic networks through LSTM’s Master of Research (MRes) programme.
KEMRI’s leadership emphasized that the visit comes at a critical moment as the institute scales up its postgraduate portfolio to address both regional and global health challenges. By strengthening ties with world-class institutions like LSTM, KEMRI seeks to expand the scope, quality, and global visibility of its postgraduate training.
The engagements signalled a shared vision to foster faculty exchange, joint research, curriculum innovation, and wider international exposure for students. Both institutions expressed optimism that the partnership will yield tangible outcomes—from stronger postgraduate training to enhanced research capacity and improved global linkages.
As Prof. Lucas concluded her visit, KEMRI and LSTM reaffirmed their commitment to advancing a new generation of highly skilled health professionals, better equipped to address pressing health challenges in Africa and beyond.
