Kenyan Dairy Science Expert Triumphs in Prestigious COIL Faculty Fellows Program-Africa

Egerton University, Kenya – In a momentous achievement for Egerton University, Dr. Benard Odhiambo Oloo from the Faculty of Agriculture (Dept. of Dairy and Food Science and Technology) has been named among the prestigious winners of the COIL Faculty Fellows Program-Africa. The program, sponsored by the Alliance for African Partnership (AAP), Global Youth Advancement Network (GYAN), and Michigan State University's (MSU) Office for Education Abroad, aims to delve into the theory and practice of Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL).

Out of the 30 distinguished teaching faculty members who expressed interest in participating in this fellowship program, Dr. Oloo, in collaboration with Teresa Bergholz from Michigan State University's College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, successfully secured a spot among the seven selected teams. This success is a testament to the high caliber and dedication of Egerton University's educators.

The COIL Faculty Fellows Program-Africa, part of the AAP consortium spanning six countries—Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Uganda, and the USA—has exceeded expectations. Initially planning to accept six teams, the selection committee was so impressed with the quality of applications that they expanded the cohort to seven teams.

In an official announcement, the committee congratulated the selected teams, emphasizing that these 14 fellows exemplify the diverse range of interdisciplinary collaborations integral to COILed projects. The teams will form the first cohort of fellows, set to commence collaboration in 2024.

Expressing enthusiasm for the collaboration ahead, the announcement stated, "We welcome these seven teams who will be joining us as our first cohort of fellows, and we look forward to collaborating with them in 2024." The teams will play a crucial role in advancing internationalization through COIL, promoting global learning experiences for students.

The COIL Faculty Fellows Program-Africa not only celebrates the achievements of the selected teams but also extends gratitude to all applicants and those who facilitated the dissemination of this opportunity. The willingness and efforts of the applicants in engaging students in global learning are acknowledged and appreciated.

As the program looks ahead to future initiatives, it encourages interested parties to stay tuned to GYAN's COIL webpage for upcoming information. Plans are underway to open a second call for fellows in the near future, providing additional opportunities for educators to contribute to the advancement of internationalization through collaborative online learning.

“Egerton University continues to demonstrate its commitment to academic excellence and global engagement through achievements like Dr. Oloo's recognition in the COIL Faculty Fellows Program-Africa. As the university's educators contribute to collaborative international learning, the impact on students and the academic community is expected to be profound,” said Prof. Paul Kimurto, Director Marketing and Resource Mobilization.

The entire Egerton University community, including the University Management, staff, students, and the broader fraternity, extends heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Benard Odhiambo Oloo on his outstanding achievement in being selected for the COIL Faculty Fellows Program-Africa. Dr. Oloo's dedication and expertise in the Faculty of Agriculture (Dept. of Dairy and Food Science and Technology) have brought pride to our institution. This recognition not only reflects Dr. Oloo's excellence but also highlights Egerton University's commitment to fostering global collaborations and advancing academic excellence. We are confident that Dr. Oloo will continue to be a beacon of inspiration for our academic community, and we eagerly anticipate the positive impact of his contributions to the COIL program. Congratulations once again, Dr. Oloo, for this well-deserved honor!

See link: https://globalyouth.isp.msu.edu/partnerships/collaborative-online-international-learning-coil/coil-faculty-fellows/  to see the 14 fellows in total who are an example of the wide range of interdisciplinary collaborations at the core of COILed projects!

Edited by: Prof. Paul Kimurto

Director Marketing and Resource Mobilization

For further information, please contact:

Kurian Musa

Communications Officer

Directorate of Marketing and Resource Mobilization

Egerton University

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