Educators from Kenya explore partnership opportunities with OSU-Okmulgee
Thursday, December 20, 2007
It’s been 22 years since Dr. Richard K. Mibey graduated from Oklahoma State University-Stillwater.
As the recently appointed vice chancellor (or head) of Moi University in Eldoret,
Kenya, Mibey was nervous about facilitating international relationships, particularly
with his alma mater. During the last week of November 2007, Mibey and other higher
education officials from Kenya spent several days touring various programs at OSU-Okmulgee.
The delegation found OSU-Okmulgee’s programs and applied learning approaches well-suited
for future partnering with Kenya and Moi University.
As a young and dynamic university that has existed since 1986, Moi University is quickly
building and expanding programs in areas such as economics, agriculture and medicine.
The focus is on developing expertise and knowledge capital to build Kenya’s infrastructure
and economy.
“I found that OSU-Okmulgee has practical, hands-on learning that would be very useful
for Kenyans,” Mibey said. “We have a great need for studies that give students experience
and education applicable to our national economy. These programs would be very useful
for us in Kenya, and we look forward to the opportunity for our staff and students
to participate in an exchange program between Moi University in Kenya and Oklahoma
State University-Okmulgee.”
Joint talks with OSU-Okmulgee also included developing study-abroad opportunities
for students. Mibey said this exchange marks another step in a truly global education
for everyone.
“Kenya is an ideal place for exchange students to gain a whole new perspective on
the world,” he said. “Our climate varies from the coastal region to the highlands
to the savanna, and our culture includes 42 tribes in addition to Arabic, Oriental,
African and European influences.”
Mibey added that the cuisine is as diverse as the culture and said he hopes to launch
a student exchange program in early 2008.
With the signing of a memorandum of understanding between OSU-Okmulgee and Moi University,
Anita Gordy-Watkins, OSU-Okmulgee’s vice president of university and external relations,
said it should be a mutually beneficial exchange.
“We sought them out because both of our universities have developed an impressive
array of technology-related programs that interface well,” Gordy-Watkins said. “Students
and faculty will have much to learn from each other. This exchange marks another step
in truly globalizing education for our people.”
Dr. Thomas Kipkurgat, OSU-Okmulgee international and multicultural coordinator, said
the Kenyan delegation’s visit exceeded expectations. Kipkurgat noted that the delegation
visiting were key decision-makers of the second-largest university in Kenya. Accompanying
Mibey on this visit to OSU-Okmulgee were Moi University’s DVC Research and Extension,
Professor B. E. L. Wishitemi; Dean of Agriculture, Professor Reuben Muasya; and Chief
Administrative Officer, Dr. James Sang.