KEMRI Hosts JICA Delegation to Assess theprogress of the Technical Cooperation Project.

On August 1st and 2nd, 2024, the institute welcomed a delegation from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Headquarters in Tokyo. The visit was part of a two-day mission to evaluate the progress of the KEMRI-JICA Technical Cooperation Project (TCP), which began in 2022. The TCP Project aims to enhance KEMRI’s research capacity through comprehensive training programs for both scientific and non-scientific staff.

The JICA delegation from Tokyo was led by Senior Advisor from JICA Tokyo, Dr. Mitsuo Isono who was accompanied by Mr. Kozo Wanatebe, Ms. Yukari Mulinda, Dr. Raita Tamaki, Ms. Nae Kaneko and Mr. Elijah Kinyangi from JICA Kenya.

The delegation were warmly received to KEMRI by Ag. Director General, Prof. Elijah Songok and his team that included, TCP Project Manager, Dr. Samson Muuo, Research Scientist, Dr. Evans Amukoye, Deputy Director of Human Resource Management Mr. Ben Sifuna, Mr. Rowland Muyeshi, Mr. Melvin Ngugi, Mr. Kelvin Tuva and Ms. Sharon Njue.

Prof. Songok welcome the JICA delegation to the Institute and expressed his gratitude for JICA’s unwavering historic support not just to KEMRI but to Kenyans. “We deeply appreciate the continuous support from JICA, TCP Project has brought the much-needed enthusiasm among our staff, playing a crucial role in transforming our Institute and it has also influenced our new structure, as it arrived when we were adopting new HR instruments,” informed Prof. Songok.

The two-day visit involved extensive discussions on the progress and impact of the TCP project. The delegation reviewed the training programs and their outcomes, examining how they have enhanced the skills and capabilities of KEMRI staff. The focus was on the effectiveness of the training programs in building research capacity and improving overall performance within the Institute.

The KEMRI-JICA TCP project underscores the importance of international collaboration in advancing research and development. By providing specialized training to both scientific and non-scientific staff, the project aims to create a more skilled and capable workforce within KEMRI. This, in turn, enhances the institute’s ability to conduct highquality research and contribute to global health initiatives.

The visit concluded with a mutual reaffirmation of commitment to the TCP project and its objectives. Both KEMRI and JICA emphasized the importance of continued collaboration and support to achieve the project’s goals. The delegation expressed satisfaction with the progress made so far and looked forward to further advancements in the coming years.

The visit by the JICA to KEMRI marked a significant milestone in the ongoing collaboration between the two organizations. The TCP project has already made notable strides in enhancing KEMRI’s research capacity, and the visit provided an opportunity to assess progress, gather feedback, and plan for future improvements. As KEMRI continues to evolve and grow, the support and partnership with JICA will remain crucial in driving forward its mission of advancing medical research and improving public health.