KIU STRENGTHENS GLOBAL ACADEMIC FOOTPRINT THROUGH ERASMUS+ PARTNERSHIP WITH TÜRKİYE’S ONDOKUZ MAYIS UNIVERSITY

By Adolf Nganda
Thursday, July 23, 2026

KAMPALA, Uganda — Kampala International University (KIU) has taken another significant step in advancing its internationalisation agenda after a delegation led by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Muhammed Ngoma participated in the Erasmus+ KA171 Staff Mobility Programme at Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMÜ) in Samsun, Türkiye.

The high-level academic exchange brought together university leaders to strengthen cooperation in higher education, research, innovation and institutional development, while opening new opportunities for staff and student mobility under one of the European Union’s most prestigious higher education programmes.

The visit forms part of KIU’s broader strategy to expand global academic partnerships, enhance research collaboration and position the University as a globally connected centre of excellence.

Hosted by OMÜ Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. Alper Kesten, the engagement focused on strengthening existing cooperation between the two institutions while exploring new avenues for joint research, curriculum development, faculty exchanges, digital transformation and international academic programmes.

Officials from both universities also discussed future collaborative projects under the Erasmus+ framework aimed at improving teaching quality, promoting innovation and creating greater opportunities for students and academic staff to benefit from international exposure.

Speaking after the engagements, Prof. Muhammed Ngoma described the exchange as a transformative experience that reaffirmed the importance of global partnerships in shaping the future of higher education.

“It is a very fulfilling experience, full of networking, benchmarking, experience sharing and lots of lessons as far as higher education is concerned,” Prof. Ngoma said.

He noted that universities must increasingly embrace international cooperation to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving global education landscape.

“Internationalisation has become a strategic imperative for universities seeking to deliver world-class education and impactful research. Through Erasmus+, KIU is strengthening partnerships, sharing knowledge, expanding research networks and exposing our staff and students to global best practices. These collaborations not only enrich the academic experience but also enhance the University’s international visibility and reputation,” he added.

The KIU delegation was also introduced to Ondokuz Mayıs University’s achievements in education, scientific research, innovation and international engagement. Discussions centred on building sustainable institutional partnerships capable of generating long-term academic, research and development outcomes for both universities.

The Erasmus+ Programme is the European Union’s flagship initiative supporting education, training, youth and sport. Through initiatives such as KA171 International Credit Mobility, universities collaborate on academic exchanges, staff development, research partnerships, curriculum innovation and institutional capacity building.

For universities across Africa, Erasmus+ has become a critical platform for strengthening teaching quality, improving governance, promoting digital transformation and expanding international research collaboration.

Beyond academic exchanges, the programme enables institutions to establish enduring partnerships that foster innovation, entrepreneurship and knowledge sharing while exposing students and faculty to diverse educational systems and international best practices.

The collaboration between KIU and OMÜ is also expected to strengthen both institutions’ digital presence through reciprocal publication of joint activities on their official platforms. Such international backlinks and collaborative visibility contribute to stronger institutional profiles, an increasingly important consideration in global university rankings.

The development comes as KIU continues to consolidate its reputation as one of Africa’s leading private universities. In the July 2026 Webometrics Ranking of World Universities, KIU retained its position as Uganda’s leading private university, remained second overall nationally, and ranked among Africa’s Top 50 universities, reflecting sustained progress in research productivity, digital visibility, international engagement and academic excellence. The latest rankings are available on the official Webometrics Uganda portal: https://www.webometrics.org/uganda.

The Erasmus+ engagement underscores KIU’s long-term commitment to building meaningful international partnerships that strengthen research, improve teaching and learning, expand global opportunities for students and staff, and reinforce Uganda’s contribution to the international higher education community.

As universities increasingly compete on the strength of their global networks, collaborative research and international impact, KIU continues to demonstrate that strategic partnerships remain central to its vision of producing future-ready graduates, advancing knowledge and delivering transformative education with global relevance.