In November 2023, Dr. David Chiawo, Dean, School of Tourism and Hospitality, mooted a partnership between Strathmore University and Hanze University. This collaboration, formalized with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in May 2024, combines expertise from both institutions to drive real-world educational and research opportunities.
On October 29, 2024, Dr. Dick Pouwels, Chairman of Hanze University’s Executive Board, along with Kuneke Schraagen, Dean of Communication & Information Technology; Linda Mulder, Dean of International Business Studies; and Linda Maat, Director of the Hanze East Africa Hub, visited Dr. Vincent Ogutu. During their visit, they met with faculty and students from Strathmore’s School of Computing and Engineering Sciences, Business School, and School of Humanities and Social Sciences to discuss ongoing projects and explore further areas for collaboration.
Already, several impactful projects have taken off under this collaboration, each bringing together students and faculty from both universities.
~BSC Coldstore Project: In May 2024, Strathmore and Hanze Business School students joined forces to develop a marketing strategy for BCS Coldstore, a Dutch-owned company in Nairobi. For four months, three students from Strathmore and two from Hanze collaborated, exploring international business strategy and learning how to navigate cross-cultural teamwork.
~Summer School at Hanze University: Strathmore student Romuald Ashuza attended the 2024 summer school program, “Doing Business in Europe,” at Hanze University. The program featured courses in marketing, the EU economic landscape, and intercultural management, plus cultural excursions that immersed Romuald in Dutch life and learning.
~Market Research Projects: Students from Strathmore and Hanze are diving into a market research project for Holland Greentech Kenya Ltd. and Skills Meducation Africa. The team includes five Strathmore Bachelor of Commerce students and eleven Hanze International Business students, all working together to assess market needs and craft effective marketing strategies.
Hanze lecturer Nikhil Satija and Strathmore’s Romuald Ashuza guide these projects.
School of Computing and Engineering Sciences
~Mobile Physiotherapy App Development: Partnering with Amref University, students from Strathmore and Hanze are building a mobile and web-based physiotherapy app to expand access to remote physiotherapy services. Five third-year students focus on the web app, while two fourth-year students work on the mobile app, all dedicated to advancing accessible healthcare solutions.
~SMS Platform Development for East West Seed: In this project, two fourth-year Computer Science students from Strathmore are creating an SMS-based platform to share sustainable farming knowledge with smallholder farmers in Tanzania. This resource will soon offer essential guidance for local farming communities.
~Telemedicine Project: A new Telemedicine Project is also in the works, aiming to extend healthcare access through innovative technology. Student involvement is expected when it launches.
These tech-driven projects are under the guidance of Faith Siva, a doctoral fellow from Strathmore, who visited Hanze University in mid-2024 to foster deeper collaboration.
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Strathmore and Hanze’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences are preparing to launch a project to develop public awareness campaigns and educational materials for ROAM Electricals, a company dedicated to sustainable electric mobility in Kenya. With guidance from Dr. Stephen Macharia, Head of Strathmore’s Writing Centre, students will work to increase awareness of electric vehicles and promote sustainable transportation in Kenya.
The partnership between Strathmore and Hanze University is setting an inspiring example of global education, with students tackling real-world challenges in a multicultural setting. The partnership creates meaningful academic and cultural experiences that go beyond the classroom, offering practical solutions to global challenges.
Both universities are eager to expand their collaboration, staying flexible to tackle emerging needs and embracing knowledge exchange to benefit society. This partnership highlights a joint commitment to advancing international education and shaping innovative, globally conscious problem-solvers.
Article written by Lynette Naisoi, Partnerships Admin
