Egerton University's partnership with Arava International Center for Agriculture Training (AICAT) in Israel

A delegation from the Arava International Center for Agriculture Training (AICAT) and the Israel Embassy in Kenya paid a courtesy call to the Vice-Chancellor on Tuesday, 24 May 2022 and participated in a workshop to sensitise students on the AICAT programme in Israel.

The workshop facilitated by the Board of Undergraduate Studies and Field Attachment Programmes (BUGS/FAP) took place at Main Campus in Njoro, with students from various faculties in attendance.

The delegation from the Israel Embassy in Kenya and the Arava International Center for Agriculture Training (AICAT) pose for a group photo with Egerton University staff after a courtesy call in Main Campus Njoro.

From left: Laban Mwai (MASHAV Officer), Prof. Nancy Mungia (acting Director Research & Extension), Sari Giladi (Administrative Manager, AICAT), Dr Sharon Wyngaard (Academic Director AICAT), Prof. Richard Mulwa (acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor Administration, Planning & Development), Israel Embassy in Kenya Deputy Ambassador Drora Dorsman Yarkoni, Hanni Arnon (Director, AICAT), and Dr Geoffrey Ong'ondo (acting Director BUGS).

Representing the Vice-Chancellor was the acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Richard Mulwa who thanked the Israel Embassy and AICAT for supporting students during the 11-months programme in the Arava region of Israel. He also noted the importance of expanding the programme from agricultural-related courses to include programmes such as veterinary medicine & surgery and biological sciences.  

Present during the courtesy call from the Israel Embassy in Kenya were Deputy Ambassador Drora Dorsman Yarkoni and Laban Mwai, MASHAV Officer (Israel Embassy). From AICAT were the Founder and Director Hanni Arnon, Academic Director Dr Sharon Wyngaard, and Administrative Manager Sari Giladi.

In her remarks, Deputy Ambassador Yarkoni said that the Covid-19 pandemic, the crisis in Europe, and climate change have been negatively affecting food security and that collaborations in agriculture and research will help mitigate the effects of food insecurity in the region.

Also present were the acting Director (Research and Extension), Prof. Nancy Mungai, and acting Director BUGS/FAP Dr Geoffrey Ong'ondo. Through BUGS/FAP, Egerton University has partnered with AICAT in Israel to provide hands-on skills for students in agricultural training. The selected students are attached to farms and farmer organisations in Arava for five days a week and spend one day in classes at AICAT.