The National Defence University-Kenya (NDU-K) and the Mashariki Research and Policy Centre (MRPC) have formalized a strategic partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening research, policy engagement, and capacity development in the fields of security, defence, and strategic studies.

The agreement underscores the commitment of both institutions to deepening collaboration in addressing contemporary security and development challenges facing Kenya, the region, and the international community. Through the partnership, NDU-K and MRPC will collaborate on joint research initiatives, academic exchanges, collaborative training programmes, and institutional capacity-building efforts aimed at generating impactful and policy-relevant solutions.

The partnership comes as NDU-K marks its 5th Anniversary and continues to strengthen its position as a centre of excellence in defence, security, and strategic studies. The collaboration reflects the University’s continued focus on expanding research networks, fostering innovation, and enhancing evidence-based policy engagement in support of national, regional, and global security and development priorities.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, the Vice Chancellor, Lieutenant General David Tarus, welcomed the partnership, describing it as a reflection of the two institutions shared commitment to advancing knowledge, strengthening research capacity, and generating practical, evidence-based policy solutions.

The Vice Chancellor reaffirmed NDU-K’s mandate of providing world-class education, research, and training in defence, security, and strategic studies, while emphasizing that modern security challenges are increasingly interconnected with broader socio-economic dynamics.

Officials from both institutions expressed confidence that the relationship formalized through the MoU would continue to grow stronger over time and contribute significantly to research excellence, policy innovation, and regional development.

It was emphasized that institutional collaboration and research partnerships lie at the heart of scientific progress and societal impact, and that no single institution can independently generate all the knowledge, resources, or capacity required to address today’s complex and rapidly evolving challenges.

Notably, as highlighted by the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of the Centre for Security and Strategic Studies, Major General Joyce Sitienei, NDU-K and MRPC had already demonstrated strong collaboration prior to the formal signing of the agreement through the submission of joint research grant applications to international partners. She observed that this early engagement reflects the trust, confidence, and shared vision that underpin the partnership.