KIU, Main Campus - Kampala International University (KIU) on Thursday, 26th March, 2026, hosted delegates from the Taylor and Francis Group, one of the world’s leading academic publishers, in a courtesy visit aimed at exploring avenues for collaboration in research and publishing.

The visiting team included Dr. Gagandeep Singh, Senior Publisher Engineering for South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, and Dr. Madhurima Kahali, Head of Academic Relations and Partnerships. They met with KIU senior administrators including Dr. Mundu Mustafa, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration (DVC-F&A); Christine Ainebyoona, Deputy University Secretary; Willy Turyahikayo, Deputy Director Higher Degrees & Research; Prof. Regina Ejemot-Nwadiaro, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research, Innovations, Consultancy, and Extensions (RICE)-Main Campus; Prof. Patrick Aja Maduabuchi, Director of RICE-Western Campus; and Prof. Joshua Olusegun OKENIYI, Director of RICE-Main Campus.

During the discussions, both parties emphasized the importance of building sustainable partnerships to enhance research quality and visibility.

“Engagements such as this one at KIU have been really eye-opening for us. There’s so much to learn about the research landscape here, and we are very excited to collaborate with you,” said Dr. Madhurima Kahali. “If institutions like KIU can commit to hosting four to five conferences a year, it creates a win-win partnership. For us, it ensures a steady flow of quality publications, and for you, it reduces the burden of seeking publishing outlets.”

She stressed that the heart of publishing must remain quality, cautioning against the risks of quantity-driven approaches that compromise standards.

Dr. Gagandeep Singh expressed appreciation for KIU’s hospitality and underscored the purpose of their East Africa tour.

“This is my first time in Uganda, and the warm hospitality by the KIU team has been remarkable. We are here on a fact-finding mission, keen to understand how the Ugandan higher education system works and how motivated researchers are to publish. We want KIU to be part of our global publishing program, and your guidance will help us calibrate our approach.”

KIU administrators welcomed the opportunity, highlighting the university’s strong emphasis on research and publication.

“At KIU, promotion of academic staff is based on publications. Our PhD students must publish at least five research papers, while Master’s students are required to publish at least two in recognized journals,” explained Dr. Mundu Mustafa. “Research and publication are central to our academic mission.”

Willy Turyahikayo added that the university is currently focused on improving the quality of its research outputs to meet international standards.

Meanwhile, Prof. Regina Ejemot-Nwadiaro emphasized KIU’s interest in capacity building:

“We are keen on training-of-trainers workshops to equip PhD and Master’s research supervisors with skills in data acquisition, writing, and publication, leveraging current global trends.”

The meeting concluded on a forward‑looking note, with Prof. Olusegun OKENIYI proposing the exploration of what would be required for the Taylor & Francis Group to co‑host the publication of up to eight journals across different disciplines currently published by KIU. This idea, inspired by similar collaborations Taylor & Francis has established with other institutions, was warmly received. Both parties expressed a shared commitment to pursue structured partnerships in conferences, training, and joint publishing initiatives—positioning KIU as a key partner in advancing research excellence and visibility in East Africa.