Research key to Kenya’s socioeconomic transformation

(From Right) Prof. Ngumi, Ms. Ndeti, Prof Kanyari and Prof Micheka sample food science products.

Government has been advised to re-examine its public policy priority on education with the aim of shifting more resources to aid the enterprise of research in Kenya’s universities. Wavinya Ndeti, holds the view that it is through increased research funding to our researchers in our countries universities that would lead to create new services and products, useful in enhancing the quality of Kenyans lives.

The former M.P and 2017 gubernatorial contender for Machakos County was speaking at the JKUAT Open Day exhibition, Friday September 7, 2018. She argued, there was no any other route to development except through intense research.     

Landscape Archtecture student explains how his projects on land preservation work.

Ms. Ndeti paid tribute to JKUAT saying the Juja based University had since its inception over 20 years ago been at the forefront in promoting research and innovation, some useful in aiding the country’s youth in valuable wealth creation endeavors.   

Ms Ndeti also called on higher education institutions to collaborate with both public and private sector to address critical issues of sustainable manufacturing and food security which continue to cause considerable challenge to developing countries such as Kenya.

On her part, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Victoria Ngumi said JKUAT continues to play a key role in national development mainly by disseminating its research outputs through frequent training workshops largely targeted to the county’s women and youth.

 “It is the mandate of the University to participate in the discovery, transmission, preservation and enhancement of knowledge and to stimulate the intellectual participation of both staff and students in the socio-economic development of Kenya,” explained Prof. Ngumi.

Prof. Ngumi however sought for adequate support from both public and private sector to overcome the challenges that come with industrialization and commercialization of suitable research outputs.

“As you have witnessed today, JKUAT has a diverse and vibrant technological skills and knowledge base that if properly harnessed can transform subsistence technological, agricultural and cottage industries into competitive sectors both locally and globally,” opined Prof. Ngumi.

Yummy! The guests test fish value added products.

Going forward, the Vice Chancellor said the University desires to increase the use of its research outputs and innovations by industry and other stakeholders in order to create socio-economic benefits, while generating income to support research and education.

The exhibition with theme ‘Training, Research and Innovations to Drive Food Security, Manufacturing, Affordable Housing and Universal Healthcare towards Attainment of Kenya Vision 2030’was also addressed by JKUAT Chair of Council, Prof. Paul Kanyari, JKUAT former Vice Chancellors Prof. Ratemo Michieka and Prof. Nick Wanjohi and Deputy Vice Chancellor, (Research, Production and Extension), Prof. Mary Abukutsa among others.