2ND CARTA VICE CHANCELLOR'S MEETING CARTA 2ND VICE CHANCELLORS MEETING REPORT | Page 10

© Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA) & University of Nairobi (UoN)
SESSION I
WELCOME SPEECH AND INTRODUCTION REMARKS
By Prof. Mbithi, Vice Chancellor, University of Nairobi
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Nairobi, Prof. Peter M. F. Mbithi said he was extremely
privileged to welcome all participants to the University of Nairobi, the home of higher education in
Kenya. The participants of this first session of the CARTA 2 nd VCs’ meeting were Vice Chancellors
from member Universities, Heads of partner institutions, Northern Partner Representatives and senate
members from UoN. The University of Nairobi invited senate members to the first session of the
CARTA 2 nd VCs’ meeting for them to understand CARTA and the good work it is doing in training
African scholars who can generate credible research. All the VCs’ present introduced themselves to the
UoN senate members.
In his welcome speech, Prof. Mbithi indicated that at independence, 54 years ago, Kenya was at the
same level as the Republic of Korea, also South Korea. Today South Korea, a country almost a fifth
the size of Kenya’s landmass, has developed into one of Asia's most affluent countries and a leading
exporter of both consumer electronics and motor vehicles. The world knows brands such as Samsung,
LG and Hyundai that call South Korea home.
The question to ask is where the rain began to beat Kenya and by extension, Africa? Prof Mbithi
highlighted that he was convinced that Africa was in danger of realizing her aspirations such as
eradicating poverty in its generation by 2025, if Africa does not invest in quality research. Without
research, the great African dream of prosperity by all for all, will never be realized reiterated Prof.
Mbithi. To make Africa’s aspirations attainable, it is incumbent for university leaders and development
partners to solidly deliberate and render tangible resolutions to engender quality research for both
knowledge advancement and development in our respective economies.
In conclusion, Prof. Mbithi indicated that Africa’s contribution to the global knowledge base is dismal
at best. It is therefore imperative for leaders in both academic and research institutions to roll up