Principal Investigator: Margaret Khaitsa
Led by Dr. Margaret Khaitsa, this project aimed to enhance veterinary education in East Africa by developing context-specific Day-One Competencies for graduating veterinarians and implementing a structured clinical externship model. Originally focused on Uganda through a partnership with Makerere University, the project was adapted to include Kenya as a case study, aligning with regional efforts to harmonize veterinary education across the East African Community.
Despite early disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the project advanced through virtual collaboration, curriculum development, and stakeholder engagement. A key milestone was the establishment of a partnership with the University of Nairobi (UoN), where Dr. Khaitsa was based during her Fulbright Fellowship. Together with Prof. George Gitau, the team developed a stakeholder survey, secured IRB approval, and initiated data collection to identify gaps in clinical competencies.
The project also supported the drafting of a collaborative agreement between MSU and UoN, and facilitated Prof. Gitau’s visit to MSU in November 2022. During his visit, the team refined research instruments, held grant development meetings, and explored future collaborations. A white paper and multiple grant proposals were developed, including submissions to the USDA Higher Education Challenge program and the OIE Twinning Program. This initiative not only strengthened veterinary education frameworks in East Africa but also laid the foundation for long-term institutional partnerships and joint resource mobilization.