University's new initiative to fund research and innovation
Education
By
Okumu Modachi
| Jul 13, 2023
National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation director Walter Oyawa, Mr John Agutu and Prof Vincent Onywera during the launch of the Vice Chancellor and CEO's Research and Innovation Fund at the KCA University. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]
KCA University has launched a research and innovation fund with a seed capital of Sh10 million.
The university stated that the initiative dubbed the Vice Chancellor and Chief Executives Fund, will help catalyze research and innovation at the institution with a view of transforming and empowering society.
Prof Walter Oyawa, the Director General of the National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI), said the initiative would help provide solutions to the problems faced by various sectors of the economy.
The boss of NACOSTI, a government agency responsible for regulating Science, Technology, and Innovation, called for a multi-sectoral nature to the initiative, noting the issues affecting Kenyans are complex and therefore require collaboration.
Oyawa who spoke on Thursday during the launch of the fund at the university, said: "Since innovation is crucial for economic development, it is essential to establish a sustainable funding system to support the implementation of ideas."
Prof Vincent Onywera, the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research, Innovation, and Outreach at KCA, urged the public to seize the opportunity to seek funding for their projects.
He noted the impact of the initiative on achieving UN's development goals adding that the fund will be vital in addressing Vision 2030 and solving present-day problems.
During the event, a surgical referral mobile application developed by Marryanne Mwangi, a postgraduate student at KCA University, was also unveiled.
The application aims at streamlining the referral process for patients, particularly those with chronic diseases, by replacing traditional paperwork with an electronic system.
Nick Nyaga of Jumuia Group of Hospitals praised the mobile application, stating that it would significantly simplify the referral process and reduce paperwork.