Kibabii University hosted an IMPACT-ED Open Day on Thursday, 23^rd April 2026, marking a significant milestone in advancing climate education, digital innovation, and environmental sustainability within the University community. The Open Day formed part of the dissemination and stakeholder engagement activities under the IMPACT-ED Project—an initiative focused on integrating mobility, digital tools, and climate education to address terrestrial plant diversity and conservation in a changing climate.

The project is funded by the European Union under the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) with a grant of €277,783 (approximately KES 42.6 million) and is implemented through a consortium of six partner universities: University of Namibia, Kibabii University, Kyambogo University, University of Eswatini, and University of Nigeria Nsukka, with support from University of Turku in Finland.

The event was strategically held within the University to maximize visibility and engagement among staff, students, and visitors. It provided a dynamic platform through which Kibabii University demonstrated its growing leadership in addressing global environmental challenges through research, education, and community outreach.

Throughout the day, the project team, led by Principal Investigator John Makokha, actively engaged participants by sharing insights into the project’s objectives, scope, and expected outcomes. A branded open tent served as a central information hub, enabling direct interaction with staff and students while facilitating the distribution of brochures highlighting key themes such as biodiversity conservation, climate change education, and the application of digital technologies in environmental monitoring.

The Open Day attracted notable participation from the University’s Management, including Vice Chancellor Isaac Ipara Odeo, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Planning, Partnerships and Research Innovation) Julius K. Maiyo, and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic and Student Affairs) Joshua Ogendo, alongside members of staff, students, and external stakeholders. Their presence underscored the institution’s commitment to sustainability, research, and innovation.

A key highlight of the Open Day was a tree planting exercise led by the University management in celebration of World Earth Day. This symbolic yet practical activity reinforced the University’s dedication to environmental conservation while translating awareness into tangible climate action aligned with global sustainability efforts.

The Open Day delivered significant impact across multiple levels;

• In the short term, it enhanced awareness and understanding of the IMPACT-ED Project while deepening appreciation of climate change and sustainability issues among participants.
• In the medium to long term, the initiative is expected to stimulate increased participation in project activities such as training programmes and mobility opportunities, as well as strengthen the integration of climate education into institutional practices.
• At an institutional level, the event reinforced Kibabii University’s position as a forward-looking institution committed to climate responsiveness, digital transformation, and global engagement. It also strengthened alignment with international sustainability frameworks and environmental advocacy initiatives.

Despite its success, the activity highlighted opportunities for further enhancement. The high turnout limited the depth of individual engagement, while the limited use of interactive digital tools pointed to areas for improvement. Future initiatives will benefit from incorporating more interactive demonstrations and extended engagement sessions to deepen stakeholder participation and learning.