Lakes University Partners with Med Pharmaceuticals to Enhance Graduate Training in Advanced Manufacturing.
The Great Lakes University of Kisumu (GLUK) has forged a strategic alliance with Med Aditus Pharmaceuticals (MAP), a US-based pharmaceutical company, aimed at equipping students with critical skills for success in the pharmaceutical sector.
This collaboration focuses on practical, industry-aligned education, enhancing graduates’ employability within the sector.
As part of the partnership, MAP has secured a long-term, zero-cost lease on a 10-acre plot of land within GLUK’s campus, located in Miwani ward, Muhoroni Sub County.
Here, a cutting-edge pharmaceutical manufacturing plant will be constructed, serving both as an educational facility and a center for production.
This establishment will offer students hands-on training with the latest manufacturing technologies and contribute to workforce development in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
GLUK’s Vice Chancellor, Prof Hazel Miseda, described the partnership as transformative for the university and its students.
She noted that the collaboration would significantly enhance both training and research at GLUK, positioning it as a model institution for pharmaceutical education through the integration of technology into learning.
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The university, along with international partners, is also developing a specialized curriculum tailored to the demands of the modern pharmaceutical industry, ensuring students are well-prepared for the sector.
Expanding Practical Opportunities for Students
The partnership brings Med Aditus Pharmaceuticals’ commitment to advancing manufacturing technologies directly to GLUK students.
Prof Miseda emphasized that this hands-on experience with cutting-edge innovations would give students a competitive edge in the job market.
She expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity this provides students to gain practical experience in a field where such skills are highly valued.
Med Aditus Pharmaceuticals CEO, Professor Dhiren Thakker, highlighted the partnership’s role in building a robust workforce ecosystem in Kenya.
The initiative aims to fill the growing need for highly trained professionals within the pharmaceutical sector.
To address this demand, MAP will introduce an education and training program in collaboration with GLUK and other international universities, ensuring that students acquire the skills necessary for the expanding pharmaceutical manufacturing industry.
Professor Thakker noted that universities are instrumental in training a talent pool of scientists, healthcare professionals, and business experts, from which the company plans to select the best candidates for roles at the new facility.
“The universities train scientists, healthcare and business professionals making it easy to tap talent from this pool. However, we will look for the best candidates across the country to engage at our facility,” Prof Thakker assured.
New Pharmaceutical Facility and its Economic Impact
The pharmaceutical plant, slated to begin operations in 2025, will commence mass production and distribution of affordable, high-quality drugs by 2028.
The facility aims to serve not only Kenya but also the broader East African region, supporting public health and local economies by providing accessible medication.
Health expert Professor Khama Rogo acknowledged Kisumu County’s privilege in hosting this project, urging local communities to engage with the training opportunities provided by GLUK and MAP.
He pointed to the shortage of skilled industrial pharmacists in Kenya and noted that this initiative would help bridge that gap, training a new generation of pharmacists capable of meeting industry demands.
“The pharmacy industry in Kenya is facing a shortage of skilled industrial pharmacists, and this initiative will directly address that gap,” Prof Rogo explained.
Prof Rogo commented on the mismatch between university graduates’ skills and the pharmaceutical sector’s needs, suggesting that this collaboration represents a significant shift towards aligning academic training with real-world requirements.
The facility’s demand for a trained workforce, he noted, would provide students with roles aligned with industry needs, addressing both human resource challenges and graduate unemployment.
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This collaboration between GLUK and Med Aditus Pharmaceuticals marks a groundbreaking approach in Kenya, directly connecting academia with industry.
Prof Rogo characterized this initiative as a pioneering program that prepares students for the workforce by aligning academic training with market demands, positioning the partnership as a solution to the country’s high rates of graduate unemployment.
Lakes University Partners with Med Pharmaceuticals to Enhance Graduate Training in Advanced Manufacturing.
