Congratulations to DAAD for 100 Years of Service to the World
As the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) the German international exchange programme marks an incredible centenary of service to the global community, a landmark symposium took place in Cape Town, South Africa, from 13th to 16th October 2025.
The event, themed “Global Responsibility Local Impact: Higher Education Partnerships for the SDGs,” brought together participants from across Africa and Germany, reaffirming the pivotal role of higher education institutions in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Organised by DAAD and funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) under the SDG Partnerships Programme, the symposium served as an influential platform to promote collaboration, innovation, and sustainable development through education.
Driving the SDG Agenda Through University Partnerships
The SDG University Partnerships Symposium aimed to promote the implementation of the SDGs through university-based cooperation. It provided an interactive environment for knowledge exchange among universities, researchers, practitioners, and stakeholders dedicated to integrating sustainability into higher education systems. These included Knowledge transfer and exchange of experiences on University-based partnerships’ contribution to the SDGs; Sharing of experiences on successful models and best practices from various projects with a view to strengthening internationalization; promoting of global cooperation between universities and development of sustainable and long-term partnerships; and, identifying of strategies and solutions to concrete implementation of the SDGs in the university context; as well as networking among key stakeholders in research, politics, civil society among others.
Mount Kenya University’s Representation
Mount Kenya University (MKU) proudly participated in the symposium through its DAAD-sponsored Students Training for Entrepreneurial Promotion for Sustainability (STEP-S) project. The university was represented by Prof. Peter Wanderi, Principal Corporate Services and Overseer of MKU’s United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) SDG 9 Hub Chair on Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure a prestigious position MKU will hold from 2025 to 2027.
During the symposium, Prof. Wanderi shared insights on UNAI’s global engagements in advancing the SDGs and also chaired the World Café Session on Research, Innovation, and Knowledge Transfer.
MKU, as both a DAAD-supported institution and a UNAI SDG 9 Hub Chair, takes this opportunity to extend warm congratulations to DAAD on its 100 years of dedicated service to global education, research, and partnership.
Strengthening Global Partnerships
The UNAI SDG 9 Hub Chair at MKU continues to expand its collaborations to support the vision of “leaving no one behind.” The Cape Town symposium provided an invaluable opportunity to establish new institutional linkages.
Among the key new partnerships formed was with Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), represented by Prof. Suresh Ramsuroop, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment. This connection will foster collaboration between the Maritime Academy at MKU and its counterpart at CPUT, marking a significant milestone in MKU’s growing international network.
The symposium also featured STEP-S partner universities: Leuphana University (Germany), Godfrey Okoye University (Nigeria), and the University of Venda (South Africa) further strengthening the consortium’s commitment to entrepreneurial and sustainable education.
Other SDG-Related Milestones at MKU’s UNAI SDG 9 Hub Chair in 2025
a) MKU’s Appointment as UNAI SDG 9 Hub Chair (2025–2027)
In January 2025, MKU was competitively selected to serve as the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) SDG 9 Hub Chair for Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure for a three-year term (2025–2027).
The Hub is supported by three Vice-Chairs from other continents:
• La Salle University (Spain)
• Nagaoka University of Technology (Japan)
• Hermilio Valdizán National University (Peru) – Vice-Chair for Outreach and Partnership.
This prestigious appointment positions MKU as a continental leader in fostering innovation, infrastructure, and sustainable industrial growth within higher education frameworks.
b) Global Recognition at NAFSA 2025 Conference, San Diego, USA
In May 2025, Prof. Peter Wanderi represented MKU at the NAFSA Association of International Educators Conference in San Diego, USA. He presented a paper on African Universities’ Support for the SDGs, earning recognition for MKU’s leadership in international collaboration.
Prof. Wanderi was also awarded a two-year NAFSA–WES Fellowship, sponsored by the World Education Services (WES) and NAFSA, further solidifying MKU’s presence on the global higher education stage.
c) Participation in the Global Higher Education Symposium at the United Nations Headquarters, New York (July 2025)
In July 2025, MKU’s UNAI SDG 9 Hub Chair was among the selected participants in an exclusive, invitation-only Global Higher Education Symposium held at the United Nations Headquarters, New York, on 18 July 2025.
The event convened UNAI SDG Hub Chairs, scholars, policymakers, and innovators from around the world to reimagine the role of higher education in addressing global sustainability challenges and enhancing partnerships across societies, governments, and industries.
