A delegation from the University of Minnesota (UM), led by Prof. John Vreyens, Director of Global Initiatives, and Ms. Marissa Schuh, a specialist in agricultural extension and Integrated Pest Management (IPM), is currently undertaking a two-day official visit at Chuka University. The purpose of the visit is to strengthen ongoing academic collaborations and explore new opportunities in research, extension, and community engagement.
As part of the visit, the delegation paid a courtesy call to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Henry Mutembei. During the meeting, Prof. Vreyens provided an update on the progress of joint academic and research initiatives, reaffirming the University of Minnesota’s commitment to long-term institutional collaboration.
The delegation later participated in an interactive session with faculty members from the Department of Plant Sciences, under the Faculty of Agriculture. Several researchers presented their work on crop pests and insect control methods. Ms. Schuh, who has over a decade of experience in agricultural extension with farming communities in Minnesota, shared her expertise on sustainable insect control using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies.
Following the academic engagements, the delegation embarked on a campus tour, which concluded with a visit to the Kairini University Farm. In the coming days, the team plans to interact with IPM-practicing farmers in Embu and Tharaka Nithi counties to promote knowledge exchange and strengthen practical collaboration.
Ms. Marissa Schuh is internationally recognized for her contributions to IPM research and its application in farmer-centered agricultural extension.
Chuka University is …… Inspiring Environmental Sustainability for Better Life
