Open University of Kenya, Kenya Red Cross Forge Strategic Partnership to Advance Humanitarian Training and Digital Learning
Partnership to Transform Humanitarian Education
The Open University of Kenya (OUK) and the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) are set to forge a strategic partnership aimed at transforming humanitarian education, expanding access to quality learning and equipping young people with practical skills in humanitarian and community engagement; disaster risk reduction and emergency response skills; health and psychosocial support skills and safeguarding, protection and inclusion skills among others.
During a consultative meeting held on 2nd July, 2026, leaders from the two institutions explored opportunities to combine Kenya Red Cross' humanitarian expertise with OUK's innovative digital learning ecosystem to strengthen education, research and capacity building.
Three Priority Areas of Collaboration
Speaking during the meeting, Kenya Red Cross Secretary General, Dr. Ahmed Idris, outlined three priority areas of collaboration: developing practical, skills-based academic programmes in humanitarian action and disaster management; providing flexible higher education opportunities for Kenya Red Cross staff, volunteers and young people through OUK's online learning platform and establishing a broader partnership that leverages the strengths of both institutions.
Seated (L–R): Dr. Ahmed Idris, Secretary General, Kenya Red Cross Society; Prof. Carolyne Omulando, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic Affairs, Open University of Kenya and Prof. Violet Opata, Chair, Department of Educational Management and Curriculum Studies, Open University of Kenya.
Dr. Idris expressed optimism that a Memorandum of Understanding will be signed, to pave way for student enrolments by September, 2026.
"Impossible is not an option," he said, adding that the Government's unique mandates assigned to the two institutions provide a strong foundation for this partnership, creating a complementary framework that positions the collaboration for success.
Leveraging Institutional Strengths
The Director and Principal of the Kenya Red Cross Training Institute, Ms. Monica Orero, said the institutions have enormous potential to collaborate in both short-term professional courses and long-term academic programmes.
She noted that Kenya Red Cross brings extensive technical expertise and practical experience, while OUK offers a robust digital platform capable of developing and delivering quality academic programmes.
"The collaboration will have both short-term and long-term activities. The Kenya Red Cross has the technical capacity, while OUK has the platform for developing quality courses. Together, we can produce rich and impactful learning content," she said.
OUK's Commitment to Innovation
Since receiving its Charter in August 2023, OUK has developed 33 academic programme spanning from undergraduate, postgraduate diploma, masters and PhD levels, 24 of which are fully accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE), alongside more than 60 professional development and short courses serving approximately 28,000 learners from 79 countries across six global regions.
A handshake that signifies partnership: Kenya Red Cross Society Director Ms. Monica Orero (left) and Open University of Kenya Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic Affairs, Prof. Carolyne Omulando, during discussions on a strategic collaboration to strengthen humanitarian training, innovation and digital education.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Prof. Carolyne Omulando, welcomed the collaboration, saying it presents an opportunity to jointly develop quality programmes that respond to emerging humanitarian and societal needs.
The OUK Registrar (Academic Affairs), Dr. Catherine Kagucia, described the University as a specialised University, modelled as an open and e-learning institution committed to promoting inclusive prosperity through accessible, affordable and flexible higher education. Professor Violet Opata, Chair of Department, Educational Management and Curriculum Studies, highlighted OUK's extensive digital library, which provides learners with diverse reading resources that are both audio and text-based nature.
Addressing Emerging Humanitarian Needs
The discussions also focused on specialised training with a desire to form a humanitarian supply chain human resource. The Kenya Red Cross officials noted that although the organisation has internationally recognised curricula and regularly trains professionals from across Africa, there remains a gap in accredited academic programmes addressing emerging humanitarian challenges.
Way Forward
The two institutions agreed on a roadmap to translate the partnership into practical activities and long-term collaboration.
Ms. Monica Orero noted that the Kenya Red Cross Training Institute is a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Centre, creating opportunities to recognise workplace-acquired competencies. She proposed the joint development of professional and co-curricular courses, expansion of existing Kenya Red Cross programmes through OUK's digital platform, greater use of simulation laboratories and continuous professional development for humanitarian practitioners.
Prof. Omulando outlined additional areas of collaboration, including staff capacity building; faculty exchange through research, supervision, part-time teaching and content development; internships and industrial attachments for OUK students and collaboration in research and innovation.
Both institutions expressed confidence that the partnership will strengthen humanitarian education, enhance workforce capacity and position Kenya as a regional leader in digital learning and humanitarian training.
The Open University of Kenya (OUK) team poses for a group photograph with staff of the Kenya Red Cross Society at the Kenya Red Cross Headquarters.
OUK Delegation
The OUK delegation was led by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs) Prof. Carolyne Omulando and included Dr. Stanley Kavale, Coordinator of Professional Development Courses; Dr. Catherine Kagucia, Ag. Registrar (Academic Affairs); Prof. Violet Opata, Prof. Violet Opata, Chair, Department of Educational Management and Curriculum Studies, Ms. Elizabeth Kalekye, Programmes Manager and Mr. Shisia Wasilwa, Corporate Communications and Marketing Officer.
The Kenya Red Cross Society delegation comprised Dr. Ahmed Idris, Secretary General; Ms. Monica Orero, Director of Training and Capacity Building; Mr. Tariq Twaha, Head of Digital Transformation and Information Technology; Mr. Kelvin Njenga, Digital Transformation Officer; Mr. Anthony Muchiri, Manager for Emergency Response; Mr. Valentine Tindi, Manager for Logistics and Warehousing; Mr. Geoffrey Mwai, Head of Academic Affairs; Mr. Muhsin Dahir, Coordinator for Partnerships and Student Affairs and Ms. Fiona Guantai, Partnerships and Resource Mobilization Officer.
Looking Ahead
The collaboration comes as the University prepares to celebrate its third anniversary on 3rd August, marking another milestone in its mission to provide accessible, flexible, technology-driven and globally competitive higher education.
The collaboration is expected to be formalized within the next two weeks. Once finalized, the partnership is poised to become a model for university-humanitarian collaboration by combining academic excellence with practical field experience to develop a highly skilled workforce capable of addressing local, regional and global humanitarian challenges.