A delegation from Oxford University in the United Kingdom led by Stephen Peel has concluded a two-day working visit to the East African Community Headquarters, with the aim of exploring possible avenues of establishing mutually beneficial long-term collaboration between the University and the EAC.
Welcoming the officials to the EAC headquarters Secretary General Amb Liberat Mfumukeko hailed Oxford University for expressing interest to support the Community to achieve it integration agenda.
The Secretary General briefed his guests on the progress the EAC had made in implementing the Customs Union and the Common Market protocols and preparations towards a Monetary Union, adding that there were high expectations among the people of East Africa to ensure that the three protocols were fully implemented.
Amb. Mfumukeko said that EAC was focused on building a firm base for East Africans through increased competitiveness, value added production, trade and investments and industrial development, all of which would be achieved through implementation of the pillars of integration.
The Secretary General said that “the proposed collaboration between Oxford University and the EAC would provide an effective and practical way to foster advancement of knowledge and build the Community’s institutional and research capacity of the Community.”
On his part, Mr. Peel applauded the EAC for the impressive progress made so far in deepening the regional integration agenda and said that Oxford University was keen on strengthening its relations with the EAC.
Mr. Peel said the University was keen on making a contribution to sustainable economic growth and industrial development to ensure attainment of the EAC integration agenda.
“Promoting industrial development is a crucial element for driving systematic and progressive socio-economic development as well as promoting a country’s or region’s competitiveness in the international economic order,” said Mr. Peel.
Amb. Mfumukeko and the University team agreed to explore possible areas of collaboration in capacity building for EAC staff through on-the-job training and executive education programmes as well as joint research projects and studies.
These joint initiatives will inform decision making, facilitate implementation of the Protocols and increase the Community’s capacity to negotiate trade agreements.
During the meeting, the Secretary General was accompanied by Hon. Christophe Bavizamo, the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Productive and Social Sectors, Hon. Jesca Eriyo, the Deputy Secretary General in charge of Finance and Administration and other senior officials from the EAC Secretariat.
