Local researchers have been challenged to delve in to projects that solve day to day challenges that Kenyans face, with the aim of developing local solutions to the problems as well as influencing policy decisions.
The Mount Kenya University Vice Chancellor Prof Deogratius Jaganyi said universities have the mandate of coming up with solutions that resonate with the needs of the people.
“Our society today faces challenges that need critical interventions through research. These include, just to mention a few, issues on poverty, unemployment, diseases, drought, rising incidents of depression and non-communicable disease, child labour, corruption, and the list is unending,” he said.
“As a University, we have a mandate to join hands with partners and conduct needs – driven research, disseminate the findings and overall contribute towards knowledge-based positive changes in our communities for socio-economic development. I wish to challenge the researchers to ensure that they commercialize their findings and try as much as possible to patent what is patentable.”
Prof Jaganyi spoke when MKU signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research. The event held Monday was attended by officials from both institutions both virtually and physically. He advised researchers to that in addition to undertaking research on problems afflicting the society, they should also make sure their research findings are known and in turn this can inform policy decisions.
“Disseminate the output to influence policies and conduct research capacity building workshops, with an aim of mentoring the upcoming scholars,” he said.
The MOU will enable the organisations to work together in different areas including research, curriculum development, institutional capacity building and community outreach. Other areas of collaboration will include marketing and expansion in to other Commonwealth countries in the EAC, increased access to attachments, internships and scholarships for students and customised training for county government leaders.
Prof Peter Wanderi Principal, MKU Corporate Services said the University would be working together with other universities in the region to bring to fruition the objectives of the MOU with UNITAR.
“As a first step towards achieving the overarching objectives of the partnership, the Parties have identified thematic areas to explore for collaboration, which can reasonably be expected to be realized in the framework of this MoU. They will be considered and complemented at any time when opportunities arise,” he said.
The two organizations shall identify other like-minded partners in carrying out their joint mandate in training, research and community engagement.
These partners are from both the industry and Universities.
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