By Miraj Guo| 14th May 2026
President William Ruto has formalized a major academic and technological partnership with South Korea following the awarding of a university charter to the Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (Kenya-AIST) at State House, Nairobi.
The high-profile ceremony was attended by South Korea’s National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, who is on a five-day diplomatic visit aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries in trade, manufacturing, agriculture, science and education.
The granting of the charter marks a significant milestone in Kenya’s efforts to position itself as a regional innovation hub, particularly through the development of the Silicon Savannah ecosystem anchored at Konza Technopolis.
Kenya-AIST, which is modelled after the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), will operate as a specialized graduate-only institution focusing on advanced training in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The institution is expected to play a key role in developing high-level expertise in biotechnology, ICT and applied sciences.
In addition, the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) Graduate School also received charter status, allowing it to offer advanced postgraduate degrees in biomedical sciences, epidemiology and specialised healthcare research.
Speaking during the ceremony, President Ruto said the partnership reflects Kenya’s long-term strategy of building a knowledge-based economy driven by innovation, research and technological advancement. He emphasized that the collaboration with South Korea would also support industrial growth and skills development.
The discussions between the two governments also focused on expanding trade relations, with Kenya pushing for reduced non-tariff barriers that have previously limited access of Kenyan agricultural products to South Korean markets.
Both sides further committed to strengthening cooperation in manufacturing, ICT development and agricultural value chains, as well as enhancing parliamentary and institutional exchanges.
Speaker Woo Won-shik’s visit was also centered on fostering legislative cooperation and improving supply-chain resilience between Africa and Asia, reinforcing the growing diplomatic ties between Nairobi and Seoul.
The newly chartered Kenya-AIST is expected to offer fully funded scholarships for its inaugural cohort of master’s and PhD students to accelerate research output and attract top talent. The student intake framework allocates 75 per cent of slots to Kenyan students, 15 per cent to other African countries, and 10 per cent to international applicants.
The government says the initiative is part of a broader push to transform Kenya into a regional centre of excellence in science, innovation and advanced research.
