Institutional Linkages and International Networking

Ms. Olayo Rose

Director, Information, Community and Networking

Ms Olayo holds a Masters degree in Community Health and Development from the Great Lakes University and currently pursuing her doctoral degree. Her areas of research interest are in communication for behavior change, adolescent health, qualitative and participatory methodologies in community health research and theoretical contributions in a social change based approach to health promotion.
Her current academic research consist of the role of indigenous knowledge in the development of culturally relevant and appropriate approaches for improvement of adolescent health. She has published 4 papers in peer reviewed journals and has presented 3 papers in International and national conferences.

The ICN Department provides publicity and marketing of University programs.  GLUK’s networking activities include a quarterly newsletter, TICH Annual Scientific Conference (TASC). These are important and useful network-promoting activities.   The University has developed a system of sharing information and experiences by organizing the scientific conferences bringing together stakeholders in private sector, public sector, academic institutions and communities. The TICH Annual Scientific Conference (TASC) held in April every year is one such forum.

One of the main strategies for achieving institutional objectives is creating institutional linkages and international networks among similar academic institutions, practitioners, managers, leaders and researchers committed to community based approach to health and development.

Collaboration with other Institutions

The University is the collaborative regional centre for Social Aspects of AIDS Research Alliance (SAHARA) in Eastern and Central Africa.  SAHARA is a vehicle for facilitating the sharing of research expertise, sharing knowledge, conducting multi-site and multi-country research projects. The Main collaborators include Human Sciences Research Council of South Africa, the UK Department for International Development (DFID), the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the National AIDS Control Council of Kenya (NACC), the Commonwealth Secretariat, UNICEF and USAID. Other key technical partners of the University include WHO/AFRO, MOH, UNICEF, UNFPA, UNESCO, UNDP, Danish Red Cross and AMREF. The Institute/University is also the centre for Universities in Solidarity for the Health of the Disadvantaged (UNISOL).