00:00We already have a positive record of progressive and highly impactful collaborative efforts
00:25between universities in Kenya and the U.S.
00:29One shining example is the transformative academic model providing access to health
00:35care, commonly known as AMPATH, which brings together Moi University, Moi Teaching and
00:43Referral Hospital, and the AMPATH Consortium of global universities led by Indiana University
00:51and the Government of Kenya.
00:53This collaboration has made our health care landscape more responsive, effective and inclusive.
01:02And as you heard, 24 million people in Kenya are beneficiaries of this collaboration because
01:10of improved health care outcomes.
01:19For us, therefore, is an undeniable opportunity to enhance our partnership and to build on
01:27the achievements and promise of AMPATH and deliver transformative insights and solutions
01:33beyond health care.
01:35Other critical challenges, both local and global, include financial inclusion, agricultural
01:42productivity, water management, clean energy and, of course, climate action.
01:48In an increasingly technology-driven world, STEM is the bedrock of innovation and progress,
01:55and a workforce skilled in STEM is essential for economies which aspire to become progressive
02:03and also to become sustainable.
02:06I am delighted that today, inspired by the initial Mboya Kennedy Airlift and determined
02:15to foster future skills, Kenyan universities and their counterparts will sign a framework
02:21agreement to enhance student and faculty exchange, joint research and innovation, aiming to bolster
02:29capabilities for a digital future.
02:36Practitioners are ahead of the policy makers.
02:39In my proposal, I am concerned about the persistent under-representation of women in
02:45STEM, posing a grave challenge to inclusive development in other sectors.
02:51Despite evident progress, Kenya faces a significant gender gap in STEM at all levels, from education
03:00to the workforce.
03:02Our partnership must, therefore, be intentional about promoting women's participation in STEM.
03:15The STEM Mentorship Program, implemented by UNESCO in collaboration with the Government
03:21of Kenya and benefiting 2,000 young women, serves as a model that underscores the power
03:28of partnership.
03:30And I hope the partnership we will be signing today will borrow from what we are doing with
03:36UNESCO.
03:37We are determined to leverage the Kenya-US partnership to empower and inspire greater
03:43female participation and leadership in STEM.
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