Nairobi: Zetech University has expanded its postgraduate offerings by launching a Master of Arts and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in International Relations and Diplomacy. The introduction of these programmes comes in response to a growing demand for courses that address the evolving landscape of international relations and diplomacy.
According to Kenya News Agency, the university emphasized that the new programmes are being introduced at a time when the field is experiencing significant transformations. Factors such as technology, climate change, global health, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, digital governance, and economic diplomacy are increasingly influencing international relations. Vice Chancellor Prof. Njenga Munene highlighted that the courses are designed to produce a new generation of professionals and scholars capable of analyzing these emerging trends and providing evidence-based solutions to global challenges.
Prof. Munene further explained that modern diplomacy extends beyond traditional political and economic interests to include issues related to technology, data, climate change, security, and trade. He stressed the importance of evolving the practice of international relations to keep pace with rapid global changes, stating, “The world is changing rapidly, and the practice of international relations must evolve with it.”
The new programmes aim to equip students with the skills needed to critically understand global shifts, generate data-driven evidence, and contribute meaningfully to policy and international affairs. Additionally, the courses align with Kenya’s Foreign Policy 2024 and support national, regional, and continental development priorities, such as Kenya’s Vision 2030, the East African Community Vision 2050, and the African Union Agenda 2063, as well as global priorities under the United Nations Pact for the Future.
Prof. Munene noted the increasing role of technology in diplomacy, with issues like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data governance, digital sovereignty, misinformation, and emerging technologies posing new challenges for international cooperation, regulation, security, and power. He cited the 2025 UNESCO Tech Diplomacy Forum, which addressed topics such as digital sovereignty, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and the digital divide, as an example of the growing intersection between technology, policy, and diplomacy.
In conclusion, Prof. Munene stated that the new postgraduate programmes reinforce Zetech University’s commitment to developing professionals, researchers, and thought leaders equipped to navigate an increasingly complex global environment.
