FRANCE ALUMNI MONTH RECAP
The European Union (EU) delegation in Kenya organized Europe Day celebration event on the 5th of May at The University of Nairobi - Great Square Main Campus. Europe Day is an annual celebration of peace and unity in Europe marking the Schuman Declaration since May 1950. The event aimed to celebrate EU-Kenya partnership and boost cultural exchange between EU and Kenya.
In Kenya, Europe Day was marked with exhibitions from various partners including the following:
- ACP-EU grantees - Organizations that received ACP-EU Funding via HEVA fund focusing on culture and creative economy
- European Union Member states - The EU member states showcased opportunities for young Kenyans looking to study abroad through the study in Europe Programmes.
- Erasmus Mundus Programme - The programme provides EU funded scholarships to international students applying for Various Master courses.
The corporate partners included:
- Hennesy
- NCBA
- Safaricom
- Securex
- Sankara
- The University of Nairobi
The concert featured Kenyan hiphop sensation Octopizzo and Gig Dynamics, Santuri & Bomas of Kenya and MacKinlay.
|
|
PECHAKUCHA ALUMNI EDITION - ELDORET
|
|
The first Pechakucha Alumni Edition was hosted in Moi University Eldoret-College of Health Sciences (PDN Hall) to celebrate France Alumni Month on the 18th of May. Key presenters and Alumni Members that presented included:
- Sir Professor Ambrose Kiprop
- Dr. Ruth Oriama
- Dr. Denis Magero
- Dr. Sarah Chepkwony
- Dr. Teresa Atieno Otieno
- Bernard Owino
- Dr. Nuru Koki Kyalo- Ochieng
- Prof. Eng Kirimi H Kiriamiti- D.V.C A,P&S
|
|
Sir Professor Ambrose KIPROP is a Professor of Organic Chemistry who was knighted (with Les Palmes Academiques) by the French Government. Sir, Prof. Kiprop is the Director of Resource Mobilization, Enterprise Development and Institutional Advancement (RMEDIA).
He is the Center Leader - World Bank Funded Africa Center of Excellence in Phytochemicals, Textile and Renewable Energy (ACEII-PTRE) and also Coordinator of ASALI (A Sustainable Approach to Livelihood Improvement) project, Moi University.
He has been Dean, School of Sciences and Aerospace Studies for many years. Sir, Prof. Kiprop obtained his PhD degree in Geosciences at Université Henri Poincaré (currently University of Lorraine), France. He was key in the establishing the Association of France Alumni in Kenya (AFRAKEN).
|
|
|
Dr. Viola Jepchumba KOSGEI is a Biochemistry lecturer and a Chair of Chemistry and Biochemistry department at Moi University Eldoret. She is a passionate academician, research and manager.
Dr. Kosgei did Master of science in RNA and Enzyme sciences and a doctor of Philosophy in Health science in University of Lorraine in Nancy France . She is an Alumni of Moi University Eldoret Kenya with a bachelor of sciences in Biochemistry.
Her research interests are in nutritional Biochemistry and its link to metabolic syndromes, non-communicable diseases, maternal and child health and green chemistry.
She is the current CHAIRPERSON of the Association of France Alumni in Kenya- AFRAKEN.
|
|
|
Dr Ruth ORIAMA is an Innovation Economics and Governance Specialist with experience in public sector governance and private sector development, currently working with the World Bank Group.
She is a Ph.D graduate in Economics from the University of Strasbourg (France) and Strathmore University Institute for Public Policy and Governance (Kenya).
She holds a Master’s in Economics, Law and Management specialising in Innovation and Research Development at Université Paris Sud/Paris Saclay (France).
|
|
|
Dr. Sarah CHEPKWONY is an Organic Chemistry lecturer at Moi University who is passionate on teaching and training students. She obtained her doctorate degree at the University of Lorraine, France.
Her research interest is in the study of phytochemicals from medicinal plants for bioactive substances and hemi-synthesis of various classes of natural products towards improving their biological activities.
|
|
|
Nuru Koki Kyalo-OCHIENG is a Kenyan linguist and semiotician. She obtained a Bachelor of Education (French and Secretarial Studies) from Kenyatta University, a Master of Arts (French) from Kenyatta University and a PhD in Language Sciences (Semiotics) from the University of Limoges and Maseno University.
She is currently Professor of French as a Foreign Language and Semiotics in the Department of French at Maseno University. She is continuing her research into political cartoons. She has published Le langage du dessin d'actualité - approche sémiotique with L'Harmattan (2020).
|
|
|
Ben OWINO is a Lecturer who teaches and carries out research in the area of Criminology, Criminal Justice and Security. He has pursued PhD in Criminology and Private Law at the University of Reims, France .
Ben’s passion is in public safety, a goal he strives to achieve through criminal justice research. He believes offenders are sick people who need proper diagnosis and treatment through evidence-based research models.
When not teaching, Ben enjoys singing, training and directing choir in his church
|
|
|
Dr Teresa Atieno OTIENO obtained a master's degree in linguistics from the Université Michel de Montaigne Bordeaux-3, a DEA in language science from the Université de Toulouse Le Mirail 2 and a doctorate in linguistics from the Université de Bordeaux Montaigne.
She is currently a lecturer in the Department of Modern and Classical Languages at the Technical University of Kenya. She teaches applied linguistics at master's and doctoral level, as well as general and specialised French at undergraduate level.
Dr. Otieno's extensive experience in language teaching has led her to teach French in Kenyan secondary schools and in public and private establishments in France, where she has also taught English. She was also a French language expert at the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda in Arusha, Tanzania.
|
|
|
ALUMNI CULINARY DEMONSTRATION - MOMBASA
Mombasa,one of Kenya's famous tourist destination due to its cultural heritage brought the French Cuisine culture to its door. The Alumni Month celebrations in Mombasa was held in Tamarind Mombasa- Dhow and Restaurant on the 20th of May 2023. Guests at the Tamarind Mombasa- Dhow and Restaurant were treated to a live preparation of Pasteries by the Soul sisters (Alumni members from Le Cordon Bleu) with the art and skills used to prepare and decorate pasteries being explained at every step of the way.
|
|
ALUMNI JOB FAIR &COCKTAIL EVENT - THE EMBASSY OF FRANCE IN KENYA
The Alumni Month celebrations culminated in Nairobi at the Embassy of France in Kenya on the 25th of May with the Alumni Job fair Event and cocktail event hosted by the Ambassador of France to Kenya and Somalia Mr. Arnaud Suquet. The Alumni Job Fair Event created a networking platform between the potential employers and recruiters and the French Alumni.
The culmination of the event also celebrated the 12 year anniversary of AFRAKEN and the 4 year anniversary of France Alumni.
The Ambassador of France to Kenya noted that while France was attractive to French students, more awareness of programs being taught in English in the French Higher Education Institutions was needed.
|
|
|
|
The French Ambassador to Kenya Arnaud Suquet (Fourth Left) together with AFRAKEN Chair Dr Viola Kosgei (fifth Left) with France Alumni Members.
|
|
PECHAKUCHA - Social Affairs Sub Committee (SASC)
The third French Pechakucha edition through the Social Affairs Sub Committee was held at Alliance Francaise on the 4th of April 2023. 8 participants took to the stage to present their stories in French. Pechakucha is a fun event that allows the presenters to showcase their hobbies, works or even achievements to the world in 20 slides. The contents on each slide must be presented within 20 seconds. This is an opportunity for the speakers to hone their public speaking skills as well as improve their French language. For more information visit here or email pechakucha@gmail.com.
|
|
|
|
The 3rd French Pechakucha edition held at Alliance Francaise Nairobi
|
|
MEMBERSHIP SPOTLIGHT (SASC)
Are you interested in showcasing your projects, work experience and interests to the AFRAKEN community and the public at large? Email afraken@gmail.com and socials@afraken.org for more information.
|
|
|
Connect with us on social media for news and discussions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
