Mount Kenya University College of Graduate Studies and Research has hosted the Research and innovation week 2023 at Mwai Kibaki Convention Centre, Thika where over 20 innovations and 10 poster presentation where showcased by different exhibitors and researchers.
The event aimed to disseminate the academic research finding which are beneficial to the society and to show the different innovations by the University and partners. This years’ event was organized under the theme “confronting modern day challenges towards vision 2030”.
The Research and Innovation week 2023 was graced by Mr. Geoffrey Monari, Chief Executive Officer, Universities Fund who was the guest speaker and Dr.-Ing. Calvin Onyango, Director General, Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI) who was the Chief Guest.
MKU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Deogratius JAGANYI delivered a key address on “The Place for Innovation, Research & University – Industry Partnerships within the Global Economy” during the opening ceremony where he emphasized on the role of research “Research and Innovation as the Drivers of Economic Development”
“The academia and industry is vital in enhancing innovations, commercialization of scientific or research
outcomes for socio-economic growth, knowledge transfer and a mutual value-addition.” said MKU Vice-Chancellor Prof Deogratius Jaganyi on the first day of the two-day event. He said MKU has taken the initiative to grow medicinal plants in its botanical garden at the Happy valley estate Campus in Thika and an initial research has yielded the production of bathing soap using aloe vera and bamboo extracts.
At the same time, Prof Jaganyi made an appeal for more funding towards research and innovation from the government, noting that currently the kitty stands at 2 per cent. “We know the government has many
things to do including financing research and innovation, but when more funds become available it will
go a long way towards realizing our goals,” said the scholar.
Dr Onyango said KIRDI has embarked on a program of partnering with universities to share information
and create linkages between young innovators and the industrial market. “We are offering incubation services where students come and use our facilities and gain the confidence to go out into the market for them to grow and create jobs,” said Onyango.
Monari said the Funding Board has partnered with donors to support innovators on issues of climate change, food security and health. “Over the years the innovators have not been supported financially and
that is what we are now focusing on. We also want universities to become more entrepreneurial,” the official added.
