World Bank, Strathmore University ink research deal

Strathmore University and the World Bank Group have teamed up to enhance student and researcher prospects, bolster cooperation in innovation, policy, digital progress, and human capital development. The new Memorandum of Cooperation, inked through the Strathmore Institute of Mathematical Sciences, outlines frameworks for student transfers, research and policy involvement, entrepreneurship, innovation, and knowledge sharing between the university and the international development body.

Mabel Udoh, Global Talent Attraction Lead at the World Bank Group, highlighted that the partnership aims to address imbalanced access to opportunities, despite the presence of talent everywhere. "Talent is universally present, but opportunities are not always distributed equally," she stated.

The collaboration also seeks to expose students to potential career paths within the World Bank Group, including internships and the Young Professionals Program. Dr Ndiamé Diop, World Bank Vice President for Eastern and Southern Africa, emphasized the institution's interest in discovering fresh talent while providing students with deeper exposure to development work.

"We are keen to identify talent for our hiring pipeline, but our interests extend beyond recruitment," he said. Diop stressed that the partnership should transcend recruitment, helping students comprehend how academic knowledge can be applied to real-world development challenges. He encouraged students to seek opportunities to observe how development programs influence communities, businesses, and livelihoods. "Concept moves to reality when you see the impact up close," he concluded.

Strathmore University's Vice Chancellor, Dr Vincent Ogutu, urged students to prioritize not only their academic qualifications but also their ability to solve problems. "The question is not just about your professional qualification, but the problems you can solve using the skills you acquire here," he remarked. Ogutu noted that the university is increasingly concentrating on transforming academic excellence into tangible impact, in line with its 2026–2030 Strategic Plan.