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Advancing Physiotherapy Education in Kenya: Lessons from Sustainable International Academic Collaboration

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Title: Advancing Physiotherapy Education in Kenya: Lessons from Sustainable International Academic Collaboration
Language: English
Authors: Shala Cunningham (ORCID 0000-0003-2326-778X), Kate Kim, Sophia Erfe, Cole Kees
Source: Higher Education Quarterly. 2026 80(1).
Availability: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 8
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Physical Therapy, Allied Health Personnel, Allied Health Occupations Education, International Programs, College Faculty, Program Effectiveness, Cultural Awareness, Sustainability, Barriers, Interpersonal Communication, Partnerships in Education, Curriculum Development, College Role, Administrator Role
Geographic Terms: Kenya
DOI: 10.1111/hequ.70087
ISSN: 0951-5224
1468-2273
Abstract: Access to rehabilitation in low- and middle-income countries is limited by workforce shortages, inadequate training and instability. In 2018, AMREF International University (AMIU) partnered with the Jackson Clinics Foundation, based in the United States, to create a programme advancing physiotherapy training in Kenya from a diploma to a bachelor's degree. The first cohort graduated in 2022, with over 100 graduates to date. This qualitative study explored the characteristics of a successful international partnership in advancing physiotherapy education. Interviews were conducted with six faculty members and four administrators, analysed using thematic analysis. Key factors for success included understanding local culture, long-term commitment and transitioning activities to AMIU for sustainability. Challenges included communication issues and tuition costs. The study highlights the importance of cultural sensitivity, effective communication and sustained collaboration for successful international academic partnerships.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1494125
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Advancing Physiotherapy Education in Kenya: Lessons from Sustainable International Academic Collaboration
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Shala+Cunningham%22">Shala Cunningham</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2326-778X">0000-0003-2326-778X</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Kate+Kim%22">Kate Kim</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Sophia+Erfe%22">Sophia Erfe</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Cole+Kees%22">Cole Kees</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Higher+Education+Quarterly%22"><i>Higher Education Quarterly</i></searchLink>. 2026 80(1).
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  Data: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
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  Data: Y
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  Data: 8
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Postsecondary+Education%22">Postsecondary Education</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Physical+Therapy%22">Physical Therapy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Allied+Health+Personnel%22">Allied Health Personnel</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Allied+Health+Occupations+Education%22">Allied Health Occupations Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22International+Programs%22">International Programs</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Faculty%22">College Faculty</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Program+Effectiveness%22">Program Effectiveness</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cultural+Awareness%22">Cultural Awareness</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sustainability%22">Sustainability</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Barriers%22">Barriers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Interpersonal+Communication%22">Interpersonal Communication</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Partnerships+in+Education%22">Partnerships in Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Curriculum+Development%22">Curriculum Development</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Role%22">College Role</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Administrator+Role%22">Administrator Role</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Geographic Terms
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Kenya%22">Kenya</searchLink>
– Name: DOI
  Label: DOI
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  Data: 10.1111/hequ.70087
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  Data: 0951-5224<br />1468-2273
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
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  Data: Access to rehabilitation in low- and middle-income countries is limited by workforce shortages, inadequate training and instability. In 2018, AMREF International University (AMIU) partnered with the Jackson Clinics Foundation, based in the United States, to create a programme advancing physiotherapy training in Kenya from a diploma to a bachelor's degree. The first cohort graduated in 2022, with over 100 graduates to date. This qualitative study explored the characteristics of a successful international partnership in advancing physiotherapy education. Interviews were conducted with six faculty members and four administrators, analysed using thematic analysis. Key factors for success included understanding local culture, long-term commitment and transitioning activities to AMIU for sustainability. Challenges included communication issues and tuition costs. The study highlights the importance of cultural sensitivity, effective communication and sustained collaboration for successful international academic partnerships.
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: EJ1494125
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      – Text: English
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        PageCount: 8
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      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
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      – SubjectFull: Physical Therapy
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      – SubjectFull: Allied Health Personnel
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      – SubjectFull: Barriers
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      – SubjectFull: Kenya
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