ROMA (ITALPRESS) – Strengthened scientific cooperation between Italy and Kenya. The Minister of the University and Research, Anna Maria Bernini, signed, in the presence of Kenyan President William Ruto, a collaboration agreement in the fields of higher education, scientific research and innovation, under the Mattei Plan for Africa. Minister Bernini’s mission anticipates Kenya’s participation in the Addis Ababa Italy-Africa Summit and celebrates the beginning of the 50th anniversary of Kenya-EU relations. Minister Bernini also had an interview with President Ruto, who will be on an official visit to Italy in April. During the mission, Minister Bernini signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Minister of Education of the Republic of Kenya in Nairobi, Julius Migos Ogamba, with the aim of consolidating and extending bilateral collaboration in the field of universities, training and research. The agreement provides for joint actions for the mobility of students, teachers and researchers, the development of joint research projects and the strengthening of scientific infrastructure, with particular attention to strategic sectors such as space, artificial intelligence, high performance calculation, climate and renewable energies, health, agri-tech and water resource management.
The Nairobi AI Forum 2026, an initiative organised by the Government of Kenya and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the University and Research, the Italian Embassy in Kenya and the United Nations Development Programme-UNDP. Minister Bernini was also in Malindi for a visit to the Italian space base “Luigi Broglio” and to inaugurate the new maternity department of Sub-County Hospital. The intervention, carried out thanks to the contribution of Italian Cooperation, will strengthen mother-infantile care in an area characterized by high maternal mortality rates. On the occasion of the mission was also inaugurated the headquarters of Med-Or Italian Foundation for Africa in Nairobi, the first overseas headquarters of the Foundation chaired by Marco Minniti. The new headquarters is a hub for the Foundation’s activities on the African continent, strengthening dialogue between institutions, academic world and private sector and supporting cooperation initiatives in the fields of research, training and sustainable development. In Nairobi, the Minister also participated in the inauguration of the Roadshow Italia-Africa on high training, research and innovation, promoted by MUR and Med-Or Foundation, in collaboration with Strathmore University and the Embassy of Italy. The Roadshow involved universities, research centres and Italian and Kenyan enterprises, with the aim of encouraging partnerships in the fields of advanced training, applied research and technological innovation, in line with the priorities of the Mattei Plan.
“This mission – said Minister Bernini – gives continuity to the Mattei Plan, which is not an abstract vision but a concrete strategy that Italy is carrying out on the field. With Kenya, as with Africa, we are building a structured and long-term partnership, based on knowledge, innovation and common growth, in the belief that universities, research and skills are fundamental engines of a fair and lasting development.” During the mission, the Minister also attended the presentation of the Professional Technical Course for technicians specializing in renewable energies promoted by Enel Foundation in collaboration with RES4Africa, Strathmore University and St. Kizito Vocational Institute.
– photo press office Ministry of University and Research –
(ITALPRESS).
