Spears school Helps build By Matt Elliott
An OSU exchange program has helped triple the number of faculty members with doctoral degrees in the business school at Kenya’s largest university. Since 2009, Moi University faculty members have participated in a program with the Spears School of Business that lets them learn from OSU faculty members, learn modern research methods and advance their careers in a part of the world where sustainable business development is sorely needed. In fall 2010, OSU helped six doctoral students graduate. One more is expected during 2011, and another group is on track to earn doctorates in 2012. “Everybody is excited about the program,” says Julius Bitok, a Moi University accounting professor. “Everyone wants to go. Everyone wants to be associated with this success. This is a success story, not just in Kenya, but outside its borders.”
Making an impact The exchange program is the biggest project OSU has undertaken in Africa since its work in Ethiopia through the Point Four program from 1952 to 1968. More than half a century later, OSU’s project in Kenya is expected to have an energizing effect on Kenyan students. At a moment when central Africa is seen as the next development frontier, it’s important for OSU to help Kenyan universities access the latest in everything from research tools
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to free market ideas to modern corporate governance, says OSU management professor Federico Aime. Helping students get such an education in their own country is important for Kenya, which, like many African nations, suffers from a huge brain drain, Aime says. He says this makes it difficult to solve problems such as the AIDS epidemic and a lack of economic development. Aime believes the OSU and Moi partnership is a model for other regional universities working with American institutions to help their faculty members further their education. “Together, OSU and Moi University will lead Kenya into a new age and help the entire continent by helping our world-class faculty prepare the next generation of African leaders and entrepreneurs who will reshape our nation and the region,” says Moi University Deputy Vice Chancellor Bob Wishitemi. “The impact of this exchange program has been great for Moi University. It has already changed our view of research, theory and management practice,” says Charles Lagat, a lecturer in Moi’s business school and a candidate in the doctoral program.
How it started In 2008, Richard Mibey, Moi University’s vice chancellor and an OSU alumnus, wanted to spark connections between his alma mater and his current employer. He invited thenassociate dean Robert Dooley and Aime to campus.