“You hear from us, we hear from you in a manner that is respectful, that is mutual, and that is, at the end of the day, both parties will get, what we call, a win-win,” ambassador David Kerich said when discussing the importance of diplomacy to a group on campus.
Serving as the Kenyan ambassador to the United States, Kerich visited the university on Feb. 16 to discuss the expanding academic relationship between Kenya and the U.S., as well as growing opportunities for students, such as dual degree programs.
“We’re here to discuss with Millersville University how best we can be able to work together, because in every collaboration, there has to be a benefit,” Kerich said.
The proposal would allow students to earn a degree from Millersville and a partner institution in Kenya, such as Kabarak University and Tharaka University. MU recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Tharaka University, with aims “to foster mutual collaboration in academic and research exchange programmes for students and staff, alongside other areas of cooperation that will strengthen institutional growth and global engagement.”
Millersville has been forming ideas on how to go about this plan logistically and has been figuring out how to provide these experiences not just for Kenyans, but for Millersville and international students too.
The plan has been a success by having students use a J-1 visa, rather than a F-1 visa. Those who travel under J-1 visas may be subjected to the two-year home-country physical presence requirement, where visitors must return to their country for two years before they can change their visa status. This has resulted in a nearly 100% visa approval rate in relation to this initiative.
“I think it works very well, because the students must return to their home country to complete their degree,” said Dr. Dan Kumala, the assistant vice president for international programs and global engagement at Millersville. “We’re also working on some other strategies by which to strengthen this pathway, which would be internships or professional opportunities that exist for students in their home country when they return.”
Millersville University has always focused on encouraging students to be global citizens. The EPPIIC values for the school, one of which is public mission, emphasizes students to be responsive citizens and interested in improving local, regional, and global communities.
“Being able to have students get a global experience while also returning to their home nation and leveraging that with business, entrepreneurial, and other kinds of professional opportunities, it really helps to leverage your whole nation,” Kumala said.
Kerich opened the floor during his speech to answer questions from the crowd not just in relation to education, but for questions ranging from national concerns between the U.S. and Kenya and initiatives as an ambassador in relation to growing education in Kenya.
Kerich says he plans to visit other universities throughout the country this year to also talk about education collaborations.
