Kibabii University hosted Professor Wills Kalisha from NLA University Norway on 27th and 28th February 2025 for a series of transformative academic engagements. Coordinated by Dr. Robert Kati, Dr. Patrick Owoche, and Mr. Onex Opati, the visit was a landmark event that brought together undergraduate students, postgraduate students, and faculty members for a rich exchange of ideas, research insights, and strategic collaborations.
Upon his arrival, Prof. Kalisha paid a courtesy call to the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic and Student Affairs), Prof. Joshua Ogendo, where they discussed opportunities for strengthening academic partnerships between Kibabii University and NLA University. This meeting set the tone for the two-day visit, which underscored Kibabii University’s commitment to fostering global academic partnerships and enhancing its learning and research culture.
On the first day of his visit, Prof. Kalisha delivered two thought-provoking lectures aimed at enriching the academic experience of undergraduate students. The first lecture, “Continental Pedagogy: Contrasting European and African Educational Philosophies,” explored the foundational differences between Europe’s child centred, relational and intergenerational pedagogical model, with minor comparison to Africa’s community-driven, experiential approaches. He emphasized the role of critical thinking in European curricula and oral traditions in African systems Students actively engaged, questioning the impact of globalization, technology, and policy reforms on education in both regions.
The second lecture, “Migration and Education: The Norwegian Reception of Unaccompanied Minors,” examined how Norway integrates migrant students into its education system. Prof. Kalisha highlighted Norway’s approach to welcoming asylum seekers and refugees addressing the psychosocial, legal and pedagogical perspectives employed in their reception. He emphasized the specific challenges of unaccompanied minors face. He shared best practices for inclusive education, sparking meaningful conversations about migration, education, and adaptive policies for vulnerable populations.
Later, Prof. Kalisha conducted a virtual research seminar for postgraduate students, focusing on the purpose of the theory of social science in qualitative research touching on key areas of interest including the understanding of the philosophy of social science and how can we generate research questions from day to day activities among other insightful topics.
On the second day of his visit, Prof. Kalisha focused on faculty development and strategic collaborations, ensuring the benefits of his expertise extended to academic staff and University leadership. The seminar was officially opened by Vice Chancellor Prof. Isaac Ipara Odeo, who stressed the importance of international collaborations in enhancing research quality and mentorship. Prof. Kalisha led the seminar, covering best practices in supervision, strategies for improving academic writing and publications, and the value of inter-institutional collaborations to boost research impact. Faculty members praised the session for its practical insights and actionable strategies to strengthen postgraduate supervision.
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