Report by Our Member Csaba from Strathmore University, Kenya

On Tuesday morning at 10:20, I arrived at the iLabAfrica Research and Development Center at Strathmore University in Nairobi with my local guide, Nasir Abdul Dahim.

Below is a report by Csaba Szeremley, our member and a PhD student at the Doctoral School of Security Sciences, on his visit to Strathmore University in Nairobi, Kenya:

"On Tuesday morning at 10:20, I arrived at the iLabAfrica Research and Development Center at Strathmore University in Nairobi, accompanied by my local guide, Nasir Abdul Dahim. Originally, I was supposed to travel with my thesis advisor, Dr. Péter Gergő Juhász, President of Planetrise Association, but he was unable to join due to a Covid infection.

Upon my arrival, Richard Farkas, a new staff member at the Hungarian Embassy, was visiting Dr. Joseph Sevilla and his team. I exchanged a few words with Mr. Farkas before he left the premises. After that, I participated in a roundtable discussion, where the participants introduced themselves and explained their areas of work. Later, Dr. Sevilla spoke about the Institute, which operates as a separate unit within the university, focusing on IT and security studies.

In addition to training students, the Institute offers business consulting, software development, and coordinates several government projects (such as the development and operation of Covid data collection software and systems, as well as rural data collection and healthcare projects). One of their local, successful programs is a "Pitch Your Business Idea Friday," a development program funded by a local bank, where experts and investors give anyone, after an initial online screening, the chance to pitch their business idea. Women and female teams are given preference. The Institute collaborates with several foreign universities (e.g., Norwegian, German, and British institutions).

Recently, the Institute reached out to Óbuda University, which shows great potential for further cooperation. I also introduced myself, highlighted the Doctoral School of Security Sciences and the Africa Research Institute. I explained that we are seeking university partners open to conducting joint research and implementing projects. Furthermore, the University offers scholarship opportunities for foreign students for both PhD and Master's programs. I also introduced the University's humanitarian operations management training program."

Csaba's Kenyan program is supported by the Planetrise Cultural and Environmental Association and the Africa Research Institute of the Doctoral School of Security Sciences at Óbuda University.