University eyes top African spot through research

Mount Kenya University is seeking to deepen research and innovation, to propel it among the most recognised universities in Africa.

The university has enhanced its internal funding for research through such initiatives as the Vice Chancellor’s Research and Innovation Grant as well as collaborating with other institutions both local and international to research and solve challenges that the region is grappling with.

MKU Vice Chancellor Deogratius Jaganyi said the institution continues to prioritize research as a pillar for advancing knowledge.

“Internationally, universities are recognised by the research that they produce. Any university that has risen to be an institution of repute globally has been because of the research that they do. And that’s what we are doing at MKU, to make sure that at least our research takes us to the level of international recognition that we are all proud of,” said Prof Jaganyi.

He spoke during the launch of the 2024/2025 Vice-Chancellor Research and Innovation Grant and recognition of 2024 grant winners at the Mwai Kibaki Convention Centre.

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The event brought together top researchers, faculty and university leadership in celebration of MKU’s growing research footprint.

Prof Jaganyi emphasized that research is central to the university’s core mandates of teaching, innovation, and community engagement.

He underscored that a robust research ecosystem not only drives academic excellence but also strengthens MKU’s societal impact.

The Director of Grants and Development said the university had expanded the scope of the 2024/2025 grants, which target multidisciplinary projects, postdoctoral research, and capacity building for early-career researchers.

Dr Samuel Karenga, Director, Graduate Studies at MKU also said that following the Covid-19 pandemic, the University has fully gone digital in the management of its postgraduate processes.

Students are also able to meet online with their supervisors regularly. He also stated that the university has intensified efforts to fast-track the progression of postgraduate students.

During the function, MKU recognised students who have been selected for a two-and-a-half-month innovation exchange programme in Munich, Germany.

These students will in mid-May proceed to Germany for the “Africa Meets Bavaria programme, where they will be placed in different startup companies. Providing them with an opportunity to showcase their talent in design work, AI engineering and software engineering as well as get learning opportunities.