French Ambassador to Kenya Arnaud Suyuet interacting with students from Sciences Po University during a cocktail reception at France residence./DOUGLAS OKIDDY
Over 40 students together with 5 staff from the SciencesPo University, one of Europe's leading schools of Political Science, visited Nairobi for a study trip in the framework of their master's degree "Governing the Large Metropolis".
The visit sought to enable them better understand the economic, social, cultural and environmental challenges of a large African city.
Mastercard Foundation Education and Skills Lead Ivy Mwai, director Valeria Morera, and Sciences Po University head of East Africa Cynthia Isimbi during a cocktail reception at the France residence./DOUGLAS OKIDDY
Their visit comes in the back of a keynote address Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja made at the Sciences Po conference on October 17, 2023, on "Urban infrastructure: water, sewage and energy".
During their visit to Kenya, the students learned and understood the challenges of urban development.
They met with government representatives, private sectors, researchers, public development agencies, and association representatives to better understand the economic, social, environmental, and cultural challenges that may arise in the sustainable development of a large Metropolis.
On Friday, the Ambassador of France to Kenya Arnaud Suyuet hosted the students at his residence for a roundtable and a cocktail reception.
The motive of the event was to understand issues surrounding developing sustainable infrastructures in large metropolis regions like Nairobi.
During the event, French Companies operating in Kenya gave presentations on the same, giving students a chance to discover and understand some of the issues encountered by metropolises when fighting for the implementation of sustainable structures and urbanization.
They also learnt how the international community can work with Kenya in finding solutions and bringing changes to improve the lives of its citizens.
PS for Higher Education and Research, Dr. Beatrice Muganda Inyangala, French Ambassador to Kenya Arnaud Suyuet, and the European Union Ambassador to Kenya Henriette Geiger during a cocktail reception at France residence./DOUGLAS OKIDDY
Addressing the gathering, Suyuet said:
"This is a good opportunity to strengthen this community and we need to make Science Po more known to the Kenyan public, we also need to strengthen the cross-mobility between Science Po and Nairobi.
"Our partner, MasterCard Foundation, thank you for strengthening the opportunity especially for African students and Kenya students to pursue academic excellence in Science Po."
The event was attended by government representatives led by Higher Education PS Beatrice Muganda Inyangala who said:
"Science Po, you are truly shaping the future of governance and leadership globally, your work in fostering academic excellence and global partnership is inspiring with a strong presence in Africa. I am thrilled to know that Nairobi is home to Science Po's first African office established in 2018 together with the partnership with Kenya universities including Strathmore, USIU Africa, Kenyatta University, and the Nairobi University."
European Union ambassador to Kenya Henriette Geiger, UNDP resident representative Anthony Ngororano, Mastercard representatives, and Sciences Po head of East Africa Cynthia Isimbi among others were also in attendance.
The University has 7 campuses across France with almost 700 African nationals across 46 nationalities.
They opened their first office in Africa here in Kenya in 2018 and more than 60 Kenyan students have studied at Sciences Po in France.