The Kenya DAAD Scholars Association (KDSA) gathered at the Mombasa Beach Hotel on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, for a Networking Workshop.
KDSA is a thriving community of Kenyan professionals, researchers, and academics who have received scholarships from the renowned German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
At the Technical University of Mombasa (TUM), a total of nine faculty members are DAAD scholarship programme beneficiaries, and that includes the Vice chancellor Prof Laila Abubakar.
Given the uniqueness of programmes and location of the university, TUM looks forward to strengthening ties with DAAD for enhanced quality human resource development and capacity building to meet the global market demands.
The Workshop on “Experiences in Knowledge and skills exchange among researchers in academia and industry in the Kenya Labour landscape” is aimed at bringing a large network of DAAD alumni and alumnae in Kenya who are endowed with diverse skills and expertise in academia and industry.
Sharing ideas
The members can then discuss and share experiences about international knowledge and skills exchange and transfer practices in higher learning institutions and industry.
The overall goal is to put in place affirmative, sustainable and continuous capacity building opportunities in the learning institutions and in workplace to build a productive workforce.
During his opening remarks, the KDSA committee secretary Dr Eric Jobunga who doubles as a TUM don stated that the association unites Kenyan DAAD alumni from diverse fields, fostering collaboration, continuous learning and professional growth.
“We are dedicated to building a network that not only strengthens academic and professional connections, but also contributes to Kenya’s growth and global presence in research and innovation,” Dr Jobunga said.
DAAD boss
DAAD regional director for Africa Dr Dorothee Weyler commended the organization for marking 100 years of academic excellence and scholarship service, intellectual capital development and human resource capacity improvement globally.
“The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is the world’s largest funding organization for the international exchange of students and researchers. Since it was founded in 1925, around two million scholars in Germany and abroad have received DAAD funding,” Dr Dorothee said.
She reiterated that DAAD regional office for Africa was opened in Nairobi in 1973 to steer a new in-country scholarship programme for Sub-Saharan Africa. DAAD activities go beyond simply awarding grants and scholarships, it supports internationalization of German universities, promotes Germany studies and Germany language abroad, assists developing countries in establishing effective learning in universities and advise decision makers on matters of cultural, education and policy development.
“DAAD is also involved in the promotion of collaborative projects of German Universities with their partner institutions abroad. Such projects address issues of curriculum development, staff training, sustainable development goals in teaching and research, and useful links between universities and industry," Dr Dorothee Concluded.
Prof Laila
TUM Vice chancellor Prof Laila Abubakar lauded DAAD for providing scholarships to several Kenyans from humble background. “I am standing here today because of DAAD scholarship; they sponsored my PhD education. I come from a very humble background. If it were not for that scholarship, I could not have managed to pay for my PhD fees. Thank you DAAD, you have enabled thousands of Kenyans to access higher education," Prof Laila quipped.
Prof Laila assured the DAAD regional director Dr Dorothee Weyler that TUM will continue working with DAAD on matters of education, research and innovation. The VC requested Dr Dorothee to establish a Germany language centre at TUM to prepare more students to pursue the DAAD scholarships.
Prof Gichangi
Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic, Research and Extension Prof Peter Gichangi urged dons to be creative when teaching the youth in today's context. He stated that technology is changing at supersonic speed and lecturers should ensure that they keep up with it.
In attendance were GIZ representative Ms Cynthia Kamau, Dean of the School of Pure and Applied Sciences Prof Huxley Makonde, Director Kwale Site Dr Ali Shee, University Librarian Dr Wanyenda Chilimo and Head of Corporate Communications Department Mr Salim Chiro.
