University of Nairobi automates grants proposals

Nairobi University Vice Chancellor Prof. Peter Mbithi(right) shakes hands with Prof. James Machoki M'Imunya (left) party hiden is Ibrahim Otieno director ICTC Nairobi university during a launch of research grants management information system taken on 24th February 2016. PHOTO:WILBERFORCE OKWIRI

The University of Nairobi (UoN) has automated tracking and monitoring of ongoing and pending academic grants proposals.

The institution yesterday launched a Sh10 million Research Grants Management Information System (RGMIS), which will facilitate grant seeking, management and output, becoming the first university in the country to do so.

Unveiling the system yesterday, Vice Chancellor Peter Mbithi said the high number of successful grants applications in the last ten years and need for accountability necessitated the development of the automated system.

"With RGMIS in place, our institution is now in the same ranks as other world-class universities, which have elaborate research supporting structures," he said.

Prof Mbithi said the system is expected to have a huge impact on the  management of research grants and increase them by over 30 per cent.

"We have invested heavily in research and network with over 1,300 institutions across the globe. We attract extra research funds from the collaborations. With the automation, we are positive we shall attract more collaborations and improve on our research kitty," he said.

Henry Mutoro, the acting deputy vice chancellor (Research, Production and Extension) said research processes were being managed manually, posing a lot of challenges.