Cooperation between Kauno kolegija and the University of Nairobi is being strengthened
From 21 to 25 September, Kauno kolegija welcomed Dr Nicholas Kinyua Bailasha, a lecturer from the University of Nairobi, Kenya. During his visit, Dr N. K. Bailasha delivered lectures and shared his experience with students of the Faculty of Business. He also met with representatives of Kauno kolegija: Director Dr Andrius Brusokas, Vice Director for Research and Development Dr Inga Stravinskienė, Head of the Strategic Planning and Quality Management Unit Asta Valaitytė-Brish, International Partnership Development Coordinator Jolanta Valiaugienė, Head of the Student Affairs and Career Unit Aurimas Galkontas, Head of the Wellness and Sports Centre Juozas Barkauskas, Centre Coordinator Laura Mekšriūnienė and basketball team coach Rolandas Radvila.
Until now, cooperation had been carried out with the Faculty of Business. However, following a visit by representatives of Kauno kolegija to Kenya in November, during which an agreement was reached with the University of Nairobi’s management to develop cooperation at institutional level, the meeting held at Kauno kolegija on 24 September provided an opportunity to continue the discussions initiated earlier and move towards planning specific joint activities.
During the meeting, the guest was introduced to Kauno kolegija, its strategy until 2030, priority research areas and opportunities for international cooperation. The activities of the Wellness and Sports Centre, sports teams, the Centre’s development priorities and opportunities to implement joint initiatives with the University of Nairobi were also presented.
‘During the meeting, we presented the activities of the Wellness and Sports Centre and two modules – Physical Activity and Healthy Lifestyle Education and Recreational Games and Sport. We discussed how these modules could contribute topromoting students’ physical activity and healthy lifestyles,’ says J. Barkauskas, Head of the Wellness and Sports Centre.
Particular attention during the discussion was given to developing joint activities in the field of sports management studies, with the aim of integrating not only sports management, but also physical activity, health sciences and the promotionof overall personal well-being.
‘Opportunities to initiate joint applied research, share academic and practical experience, and jointly develop teaching materials for both lecturers and students were discussed. Such materials would help strengthen the quality of training for sports and rehabilitation specialists, promote the application of innovative teaching and learning methods, and encourage the sharing of good practice between the two institutions,’ says A. Galkontas, Head of the Student Affairs and Career Unit.
The importance of interdisciplinary cooperation in training specialists capable of responding to contemporary public health, physical activity and well-being needs was also discussed.
The meeting marks a further stage in the institutional cooperation between Kauno kolegija and the University of Nairobi, with the aim of moving from established partnership links towards specific joint initiatives in sports management and applied research in the health sciences.