Moi University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Kiplagat Kotut, has praised the Moi University African Cluster Centre of Excellence in African Studies for its exceptional achievements and global impact. Speaking at a project evaluation workshop in Kisumu, Prof. Kotut praised the Centre for its contribution to the successful renewal of funding by the German Research Council (DFG) for African Studies programs under the University of Bayreuth's Africa Multiple Research Centres initiative.
The Vice Chancellor singled out the leadership of Prof. Peter Simatei, the Centre’s Director, and Prof. Tom Mboya, the Academic Coordinator, for their tireless efforts in driving the Centre’s growth and international recognition. Prof. Kotut noted that the Centre’s collaborations with leading African and European universities—including the University of Bayreuth, University of Lagos, Rhodes University, and Université Joseph Ki-Zerbo—have significantly boosted Moi University’s standing in the field of African Studies.
“These partnerships have not only expanded the frontiers of knowledge but have also strengthened Moi University’s position as a leading institution in African Studies,” Prof. Kotut.
He also highlighted the Centre’s role in nurturing early-career researchers and fostering academic exchange programs, which have provided Moi University researchers with invaluable opportunities for academic collaboration.
Looking ahead, Prof. Kotut reaffirmed Moi University’s commitment to supporting the Centre’s mission, including a proposal to establish an Institute of African and African Diaspora Studies—a move he said would deepen the University’s engagement with global African communities.
“Moi University is proud to be part of this transformative journey that ensures our voices, histories, and knowledge systems are central to global discourse,” Prof. Kotut concluded.
The Centre is now set to embark on another seven years of research and scholarly contributions, further cementing its role as a hub for Africa-centered academic excellence in the region.