Three new agreements signed in June and July strengthen research, training, conservation, and innovation.
Mpala Research Centre has strengthened its network of Kenyan academic and conservation partners through the signing of three new collaboration agreements over the past month. Signed with United States International University-Africa (USIU-Africa) on 6 June, Bomet University on 24 June, and the Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI) on 1 July, the partnerships expand opportunities for research, education, conservation, and capacity building across Kenya.
Together, these three agreements reinforce Mpala’s commitment to building strong partnerships with Kenyan universities and national institutions. By expanding opportunities for collaborative research, student training, innovation, and knowledge exchange, the partnerships will help strengthen Kenya’s scientific capacity while advancing conservation and sustainable natural resource management.
USIU-Africa – 6 June
The agreement with USIU-Africa brings together complementary expertise in wildlife conservation, climate science, technology, and community engagement. The partnership will support collaborative research in wildlife conservation, climate modelling, nature-based solutions, and climate adaptation, while expanding student fieldwork, internships, workshops, and specialized training in GIS, ecological monitoring, engineering, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.
The institutions will also promote exchanges of researchers and technical experts, shared access to research facilities, and joint community initiatives focused on conservation, biodiversity, education, health, and sustainable livelihoods.
Bomet University – 24 June
The partnership with Bomet University establishes a broad framework for collaboration in research, ecosystem management, education, and innovation. Key areas include staff and student exchanges, collaborative research, internships, field visits, scholarships, research fellowships, joint short courses, and data sharing.
The agreement also promotes joint grant writing and resource mobilization, publication of research findings, community outreach, and commercialization of innovations. Students and staff from both institutions will benefit from expanded opportunities for training and research at Mpala.
Wildlife Research and Training Institute – 1 July
On 1 July, Mpala and the Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI) signed a Framework of Collaboration that formalizes a longstanding partnership. WRTI has been an important collaborator with Mpala for many years and serves as a partner on the Mpala Board. The new Framework of Collaboration provides a formal structure to guide future joint initiatives and deepen cooperation in wildlife research and conservation.
The five-year framework focuses on joint wildlife research, biodiversity monitoring, scientific data sharing, capacity building, policy support, public outreach, shared research infrastructure, and collaborative fundraising. It also establishes a Joint Planning and Implementation Committee to coordinate activities between the two institutions.
