Press release
April 2024
VIEL team takes part in the Baden-Württemberg Stiftung delegation trip to Kenya
From February 16 to 25, 2024, a delegation from the Baden-Württemberg Foundation with representatives from universities in Baden-Württemberg undertook a trip to Kenya and Uganda. The aim of this trip was to initiate the first contact between the universities in Baden-Württemberg and the universities in Kenya and Uganda in order to promote potential joint projects within the framework of the Baden-Württemberg-STIPENDIUM and Baden-Württemberg-STIPENDIUM for students - BWS plus.
Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences has been cooperating successfully with universities in Kenya for many years, particularly with Pwani University in Kilifi. Two successful projects are currently running there: the MCM project, funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), and the VIEL project (Virtual International Exchange and Learning Kenya-Ireland-Germany) in cooperation with the University of Limerick in Ireland.
Since the German VIEL project team was in Kenya at the time, they accompanied the delegates for three days in Nairobi. On February 18, 2024, project manager Prof. Sissi Closs, Prof. Dr. Michael Tewes and Belinda Oechsler from Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences traveled from Kilifi to Nairobi together with Edith Miano and Victoria Mutune from Pwani University.
Visit to the University of Nairob
The day began on February 19, 2024 with a briefing with representatives of the German Embassy and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) in Kenya as well as representatives of the German and French embassies. Afterwards, the delegation visited the University of Nairobi to build networks, get to know the departments and establish potential cooperation partnerships. The VIEL team presented the successful VIEL project and drew attention to the introduction of the first Master's degree in the field of technical communication in Kenya, the Master of Communication and Media at Pwani University.
Celebration of the first Regional Chapter
In the evening, a ceremony to launch the Regional Chapter Kenya of the Baden-Württemberg-STIPENDIUM took place at the residence of the German Ambassador, attended by delegates and representatives of the University of Nairobi, Jomo Kenyatta University, the German Embassy and the DAAD. This was a special highlight of the trip, as the first Regional Chapter Kenya was only founded by the VIEL team in September 2023.
Regional chapters are self-organized regional associations of scholarship holders and alumni of the Baden-Württemberg-STIPENDIUM. The volunteer members of the chapters have the opportunity to take part in activities, make new interesting contacts and discover exciting places and stories together. Although there is a coordinator, the chapter thrives on the activities and ideas of all its members. The long cooperation between Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences and Pwani University and the Baden-Württemberg-STIPENDIUM for University Students - BWS plus ADDI project, which ended successfully in 2021, and the current VIEL project have already generated many alumni. To the great delight of the alumni, they were also invited to the celebrations in Nairobi.
To set the mood for the evening, Mr. Alexander Fierley, Deputy Ambassador to Kenya, and Ms. Annegret Trettin from the Baden-Württemberg Stiftung welcomed the delegation and their guests. Afterwards, Regional Chapter Leader Victoria Mutune presented the newly established Kenya Regional Chapter and gave an emotional speech on how much she has encouraged participation in the BWS plus project VIEL. The event was characterized by a pleasant atmosphere and enabled alumni and current participants to exchange ideas and make contacts. Despite the short stay in Nairobi, the trip was a complete success for the participants.
The following day, the VIEL project team returned to Kilifi with the alumni to continue their projects. The delegates spent a few more days in Nairobi before continuing their journey to Uganda.