Visiting Prof. Gemechu Wirtu From Tuskegee University Explores Academic Collaborations And Engagement With Chuka University

Visiting Tuskegee University’s Professor Gemechu Wirtu, a renowned expert in Theriogenology, toured Chuka University from December 15, 2023 to December 21, 2023 with three key objectives. Firstly, he checked on his mentee, Dr. Onesmus Munene Nderi, a faculty member in the Faculty of Agriculture at Chuka University, guided by a mentorship arrangement from January to May 2023 under the USDA Faculty Exchange Program. Additionally, Prof. Wirtu launched the USDA Scientific Research Cooperation Project (SCRP) on beekeeping, a successful outcome of Dr. Nderi’s competitive grant win. Lastly, he delivered a memorandum of understanding between Chuka University and Tuskegee University, praising the university’s efficiency in processing research funds. Prof. Wirtu expressed eagerness for collaboration in diverse research areas, particularly in assisted reproductive technologies like in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. Impressed by the warm reception, he promised to foster collaborations beyond veterinary disciplines. The professor also committed to sharing valuable information to encourage interdisciplinary partnerships. Further, Prof. Wirtu planned to tour Tharaka-Nithi, Meru, Kitui, and Makueni to engage with beekeepers, gaining insights into beekeeping practices for the SCRP project’s first objective.