On July 15, 2025, Prof. Laila Abubakar, Vice Chancellor of the Technical University of Mombasa, hosted a meeting to mark the beginning of a new collaboration between TUM and the Civil Peace Service (CPS) of AGIAMONDO. Funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) of Germany, the CPS program supports local peace and development efforts by deploying international professionals for capacity building.

As part of this initiative, Ms. Annica Baum has joined the Department of Social Sciences to support the establishment of a Center for Religion, Conflict, and Peacebuilding. She will work closely with Dr. Fathima Azmiya, the Center’s coordinator, and Mr. Wilson Ndenyele, coordinator of the B.A. in Conflict and Security Studies (BACS). Her work will focus on strengthening academic research, creating institutional networks, and mentoring in areas of peace and conflict.

Ms. Baum’s involvement signals a fresh chapter for the department, enriching it with global experience and collaborative possibilities. The planned Center aims to drive impactful research, dialogue, and student engagement in peacebuilding.

Prof. Abubakar welcomed the move, emphasizing its value in advancing scholarship and social cohesion through meaningful academic partnerships.

The meeting was attended by Prof. Rahma Udu (Registrar, PRI), Dr. Madiha (Dean, School of Humanities), Mr. Martin Odhiambo (Chair, Department of Social Sciences), along with Dr. Azmiya, Mr. Ndenyele, and Ms. Baum.