KENFIN-EDURA

Kenya, like many other African nations, is experiencing rapid physical activity and nutrition transitions. Although technologies such as computers, the internet, satellite TV, and cell phones took decades to permeate North American and European societies, all of these ‘electronic age’ items are becoming available very quickly in Kenya. These transitions are leading to a serious public health crisis related to NCDs. This project has been put up in order to:

i. Build capacity so as to strengthen the role and relevance of our institutions in societal development especially in the backdrop of the physical activity and nutrition transition.

ii. Share expertise and information with the aim of improving quality of higher education and the research environment, in particular regarding health promotion and healthy lifestyles.

iii. Share best practices with the goal of enhancing systems and capacity to support quality of teaching and research in our institutions.

Our project aims at a) developing new study programmes (new courses); b) increasing multidisciplinary cooperation within the curriculum (joint study programmes); c) training of teachers and researchers by specific training, exchange visits and several “learning by doing” approaches in the new curriculum; d) developing and improving the use of modern, mobile technologies as pedagogical tools in teaching and practical health promotion.

We will also strengthen the role of academia (University of Kenyatta) in providing expertise and co-operation for practical health promotion in Kenya. The activities include partnership with key ministries (particularly the ministries of health, education and transportation), local communities and NGOs with a mission towards health and consumer rights.
 

Key Results to be Achieved

1. Improved scientific activity (nr. of scientific publications and academic degrees) and quality (H-index etc.) of Kenyatta University (participating departments)

2. New, multidisciplinary curriculum of health promotion and prevention of non-communicable diseases;

3. New active partnerships of the Kenyatta University experts with key external organizations (ministries, local communities, NGOs etc.): memberships in advisory boards, new projects.