Kenyan Delegation from Strathmore Law School on Study Visit to our Faculty

From 17 to 21 November 2025 the Faculty of Law and Administration of the University of Gdańsk hosted a delegation of 35 students and academic staff members from Strathmore University (Strathmore Law School) in Nairobi, Kenya. The study visit took place at the invitation of the Vice Dean for Education, Prof. Małgorzata Balwicka-Szczyrba.

The programme opened on Monday with a welcome ceremony in the Aula, attended by the Dean of the Faculty of Law and Administration, Prof. Wojciech Zalewski, the Vice Dean for Education, Prof. Małgorzata Balwicka-Szczyrba, and the Dean of Strathmore Law School, Prof. Jane Wathuta. This was followed by a workshop on “Third-party funding in arbitration: ethical and legal implications” led by Dr Kaja Zaleska-Korziuk, and a session introducing the European framework on personal data protection conducted by Dr Michał Miłosz. During this workshop, participants discussed various scenarios involving the processing of biometric data, including those using artificial intelligence systems. The discussion was dynamic and highly interactive, and the guests showed great interest in both the European data protection framework (GDPR/RODO) and its practical application. In the afternoon, the delegation met with the University of Gdańsk Student Legal Clinic team, coordinated by Atty. Dr Maciej Mikliński, and took part in the Student Research Club Fair, learning about the scientific associations operating at the Faculty. The first day concluded with an integration evening with Polish students at Klub Żak, organised by Mr Wojciech Jankowski. 

The second day of the visit was linked to the Faculty’s “Legal Education Days” organised with ELSA Gdańsk. The Kenyan students participated in a workshop entitled “And justice for none? Introduction to the issue of videoconferencing in the criminal process in the context of remote pre-trial detention hearings” conducted by Atty. Dawid Marko, which prompted discussion on fair trial guarantees in the digital age. They then joined Polish students for joint workshops with Prof. Anna Rytel-Warzocha on mechanisms of social participation and citizen engagement, including participatory budgeting, citizens’ initiatives and deliberative panels. After lunch, the group visited the Doctoral Activities Centre of the University of Gdańsk and took part in a sightseeing tour of the city led by Dr Piotr Kitowski. 

Wednesday focused on technology, constitutionalism and global challenges. In the morning, Prof. Tomasz Widłak and Mr Wojciech Jankowski delivered an interactive session on “AI & The Law: Navigating Ethical & Regulatory Challenges”, addressing issues such as algorithmic decision-making, liability and fundamental rights.  This was followed by a workshop on food security led by Dr Olga Śniadach. At midday, a certification ceremony was held, during which Dean Wojciech Zalewski, Dean Jane Wathuta and Vice Dean Małgorzata Balwicka-Szczyrba presented participants with certificates marking their completion of the programme’s academic components. Afterwards, the delegation visited the Olivia Centre business complex, including its observation deck overlooking the city, accompanied by Prof. Balwicka-Szczyrba. 

An important highlight of Wednesday’s programme was a guest lecture by Dr Francis Kariuki for first-year students in the Constitutional Law course taught by Prof. Marcin M. Wiszowaty. Dr Kariuki spoke on African customary law and tribal justice in the context of constitutional law and as part of a mixed political and legal system. Polish students, who had prepared by reading his earlier publications on the subject, engaged in an intensive discussion and asked numerous questions. The meeting offered them a practical illustration of how a comparative constitutional law perspective can broaden legal thinking, allowing students both to learn from other countries’ experiences and to critically assess their own constitutional solutions.

On Thursday the programme turned to corporate responsibility, public health and labour law. In the morning, Dr Beata Kowalczyk gave a workshop on “ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) & Corporate Compliance: Legal Risks & Opportunities”, followed by a session with Dr Marcin Michalak on global health crises and public health law, focusing on legal tools for preparedness and response at both national and international levels.  After lunch, Dr Michał Szypniewski led a class on labour law, comparing Polish and European solutions with selected African approaches. The day ended with a practical cultural component: a Polish pierogi-making workshop and tasting conducted by Dr Olga Śniadach, which proved very popular with the guests. 

The visit concluded on Friday with a guided tour of Gdańsk’s historic Old Town and selected museums, again with the participation of Polish students. Led by Dr Piotr Kitowski, the group explored the city’s legal and political history, including sites connected with the tradition of municipal self-government and the origins of the Solidarity movement. 

Throughout the week the meetings took place in a very friendly atmosphere, with great curiosity and engagement from the Kenyan delegation and active involvement of students and staff from the University of Gdańsk. The guests not only took part in a dense programme of workshops and lectures on current legal issues – from arbitration ethics, data protection and AI, through constitutionalism and social participation, to ESG, public health law and labour law – but also had many opportunities for informal conversation and networking with their Polish counterparts. Both faculties expressed the hope that the visit will lead to further academic cooperation, including joint teaching projects, research initiatives and future student exchanges between Strathmore Law School and the Faculty of Law and Administration of the University of Gdańsk.