From May 20 to 23, 2025, the 3is project undertook a field visit to Turkana, Kenya, bringing together partners to share best practices, forge new collaborations, and build momentum for integrated higher education. The sessions, hosted by Turkana University College focused on how universities in remote and marginalized areas can effectively integrate community needs and industry partnerships into their academic missions.

Key discussions centered on designing actionable policies that address both local priorities and global standards, supporting universities as hubs of innovation, resilience, and socio-economic development. Visits to regional initiatives, such as Learning Lions, demonstrated how grassroots innovation can create opportunities for digital upskilling and entrepreneurship among young people without requiring them to leave their communities. Similarly, interactions with the Turkana Basin Institute highlighted the rich heritage and dynamic potential of locally embedded research initiatives.

This trip reaffirmed the project’s commitment to elevating the voices and capacities of remote Higher Education Institutions in East Africa. By bridging local knowledge with international expertise, the 3is project aims to co-create models of education that are inclusive, future-oriented, and deeply connected to the realities of the communities they serve.