On 12 October 2011, the Vice Chancellor (Prof. Magoha) and the Chairman of Department (Dr. Owuor) were invited to Yokohama National University as a way of strengthening and expanding collaboration between the two institutions. They were hosted by the President of Yokohama National University (Prof. Kunio Suzuki) and staff from International Graduate School of Social Sciences. During this visit, Dr. Owuor delivered a public lecture on “Urban Poverty and Governance in sub-Saharan Africa”. Prof. Magoha was particularly impressed by the university’s creativity, partnership with the local community and environmental conservation efforts. The university has transformed its physical environment through well coordinated tree planting initiatives, including a Wangari Maathai Memorial Tree Planting Forest.