JOOUST in talks with Calestous Juma Legacy Foundation
Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) is actively engaging Calestous Juma Legacy Foundation (CJLF), in the United States of America, with an aim of establishing a framework for collaboration between the two institutions.The purpose of this collaboration is to foster innovation and learning in order to address sustainable development challenges in Africa. Of special interest to this collaboration will be a focus on the Lake Victoria Basin region, with emphasis on Bunyala (Western Kenya), Calestous’ home area. Possible focus areas include but are not limited to: aquaculture, food security, economic empowerment, health (e-health), conservation, climate change, policy literacy and policy advocacy.
JOOUST is focusing on tagging the likeminded institutions on matters research and innovations hence keen to bring CJLF on board to foster research in the university.
Just recently on the 29th June 2023, a team from the foundation led by Alison Juma the widow to the late academic legend Calestous Juma visited the University to kick off the talks on possible areas of collaboration between the two parties. During the visit, Ms. Alison Juma donated a book to the university Library authored by her late husband Calestous Juma on his death bed few days before he died titled, “University Drop In”.
The guests were received by the Ag. Vice-Chancellor Professor, Joseph Bosire and the Ag. Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs, Professor Denis Ochodho. The team was hosted by the Ag. Director Board of Post-graduate Studies Prof. Julius Manyala, Directorate of Research Innovation and Partnerships (DRIP) Dr. Richard Mgwanga and the University’s Enterprise Ltd Director, Dr. Elijah Museve.
The Calestous Juma Legacy Foundation is a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2019 to promote and apply science, technology, and innovation (STI) to inspire sustainable development in Africa. One of the Foundation’s primary strategies is to help local communities develop and implement innovative solutions to challenges identified by local experts and community members. Its initial programmatic focus is in Bunyala Sub-County, Western Kenya.
Professor Calestous Juma, who died in 2017, was an internationally-recognized authority and leader in the application of science, technology, and innovation to sustainable development. His original work focused on analyzing the co-evolution of technological innovation and institutional change in socio-economic systems. He directed programs that advanced science, technology, and innovation policy research (especially biotechnology), provided high-level science and technology advice, and promoted the conservation of biological diversity.
