The event took place as a hybrid meeting, bringing together project partners as well as the general public both in person and online via Zoom. The kick‑off was hosted by the University of Nairobi and marked the beginning of a new international collaboration focused on research, education, and capacity building across Africa and Europe.

The event opened with a welcome by the Dean of Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Professor Jack A. Odhiambo followed by opening remarks by PI from University of Nairobi, Professor Onyango-Ouma who also provided a brief overview of the day’s program. This was followed by an introduction of all project partners, including beneficiaries and associated partners, offering an overview of the HEALENAE consortium. The launch also welcomed REA Project Officer Lea Thiel, who participated in the meeting online.

A highlight of the program was the keynote lecture by Professor Salome Bukachi, University of Nairobi who is also a supervisor in the project. 

The HEALENAE project was presented by Professor Lotte Meinert, PI and Project Coordinator from Aarhus University, who outlined the project’s vision, goals, expected impact, timeline, and key milestones. Her presentation highlighted the project’s dual degree structure between African and European institutions, its development history, and its strong alignment with EU priorities.

The program also featured presentations of the individual PhD projects, with each Principal Investigator presenting their respective research areas. An overview of the calls, requirements, and application procedures for prospective PhD candidates was also presented.

The event concluded with a Q&A session, allowing participants to engage in discussion and ask questions about the project and its opportunities. The kick‑off ended with a reception with drinks and snacks for participants attending in person.