The University of Embu on Friday, 5th December 2025, hosted a high-level courtesy visit by Dr. Bishesh Khanal, the Principal Investigator of the multi-country Caption Health ultrasound data collection project funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The meeting took place at the University Council Boardroom.

The Vice-Chancellor was represented by the Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic, Research & Extension), Prof. Paul Nthakanio, who officially welcomed Dr. Bishesh to the University.

Dr. Bishesh, who also serves as Co-Principal Investigator on the Synergy Grant, a collaborative initiative that has supported capacity-building in Machine Learning (ML) and Federated Learning across several countries, was in Kenya to review ongoing activities under the Caption Health project. The University of Embu is a key implementing site for this international research effort.

During the meeting, discussions centred on the progress of the Caption Health project at the University, alignment of the collaboration with broader institutional research goals, and future opportunities for strengthening joint initiatives. Dr. Bishesh also engaged university representatives on other emerging research partnerships and the potential for deeper institutional collaboration with NAAMI and other global research networks.

Prof. Nthakanio reaffirmed the University’s commitment to supporting impactful research collaborations and expressed appreciation for the strong partnership fostered under the Caption Health and Synergy Grant projects.

The visit marked an important milestone in enhancing the University's international research footprint and strengthening its role in innovative health technology research.