Europe meets Kenya: Promoting Global Connections and Study Opportunities
The Networking Event
A total of 38 universities and institutions from nine European countries – Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Romania, Spain and Sweden – came to network with Kenyan students and faculty. Among them were four German universities – Furtwangen, Hof, Ilmenau and Stuttgart – demonstrating Germany’s commitment to academic partnerships.
The event featured presentations by prominent figures including Prof. Mike Kuria, CEO of the Commission for Higher Education in Kenya, and Ondrej Simek, Deputy Ambassador of the EU Delegation to Kenya. Among other things, they spoke about the higher education system in Kenya and the funding opportunities for EU member states. From an academic perspective, Prof. Turoop Losenge, formerly of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, reported on the long-standing and fruitful cooperation between JKUAT and Leibniz Universität Hannover.
The meeting also provided an excellent opportunity for representatives from universities and embassies of EU member states to network and exchange ideas, with discussions continuing over lunch.
The Study in Europe Fair
The Study in Europe fair at the Sarit Expo Center in Westlands was the big highlight. Over 2,500 visitors attended! Students had the opportunity to speak face-to-face with university representatives from top European universities such as the University of Granada, St. Xavier Cabrini University and the Catholic University of America. Whether you were interested in courses, scholarships, visas, campus life or career opportunities, the fair offered answers and plenty of inspiration.
Before the fair, the Ambassador of the European Union to Kenya, H.E. Henriette Geiger, explained why Europe is such an attractive place to study:
“The EU is an excellent study destination that offers world-class programs and a rich cultural experience. Through Erasmus+, we are not only offering scholarships but also building strong links between European and Kenyan institutions.”
She also pointed out that many programs are offered in English and that students benefit from easy travel to other EU countries and good job prospects after graduation.
The European Union is one of the world’s most popular destinations for student mobility, with over 6,000 higher education institutions and thousands of bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and short-term programs. The EU’s flagship Erasmus+ program, which supports education, training and youth initiatives, has earmarked around €570 million – a quarter of its funding – for partnerships focused on the educational needs of sub-Saharan Africa. Learn more about the Erasmus+ programme: https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/
The DAAD stand at the Study in Europe Fair on 5.04.2025
