JKUAT turns to market-driven research to boost innovation and employability

The Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) has turned to market-driven research and industry-focused training to tackle the effects of  the shrinking government funding, which has left many higher learning institutions struggling to maintain research, infrastructure, and teaching standards.

Speaking during the 20th Scientific, Technology and Industrialisation Conference and Exhibition at the University grounds, Dr. Micah Onsando, Chair of the university’s council, said that universities must focus on commercialising research and ensuring it meets market demands.

“We are shifting from research for shelves to research for markets—because the future of Kenyan universities lies in innovations that solve real problems, generate income, and reduce dependence on the exchequer,” he said.

Dr. Onsando added that researchers at JKUAT are now encouraged to start by understanding market needs and industry gaps before developing solutions.

“By starting with the market, our researchers can create technologies and products that people actually need. This approach not only makes our innovations more successful, but also helps the university generate income to fund more research and improve facilities,” he said.

Archer Arina, Director of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), also addressing the event, called for the collaboration between universities, government agencies, and industry players in order to turn research into impactful solutions.

“What is advocated for in our view is that institutions must work collaboratively. Universities should partner with industry, government agencies and even pharmaceutical companies to ensure research directly addresses national priorities,” he said.

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Arina added that that sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and manufacturing stand to benefit significantly if universities focus on research that aligns with industry needs and government policy frameworks.

“For instance, universities can work with medical experts from our healthcare systems and ministries to jointly develop solutions. When you bring in industry players, including pharmaceutical firms, you create a complete ecosystem that supports innovation from idea to implementation,” he said.

He added that lessons from conferences must be implemented systematically rather than ending as mere discussion points.

“After every conference, technical teams sit down to evaluate what emerged, identify impactful ideas and determine what can be carried forward. This is critical in ensuring that research becomes more relevant and solution-oriented,” he said.

Prof. Robert Kinyua, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs at JKUAT, said that the university has embedded industry engagement into its academic programmes to improve the employability of graduates.

“Our university has been very strong in industry linkages in recent years. This is where we identify real-world problems that our students and researchers work to solve,” he said.

Prof. Kinyua added that early certification and skills training help graduates remain competitive in the job market.

“As you may be aware, our students are highly ranked in IT and engineering. We endeavour to certify them even before they graduate so they remain relevant to industry needs,” he said.

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Despite these efforts, funding remains a significant challenge. Prof. Kinyua said that conducting high-level research often requires external support from organisations and competitive grants, including the National Research Fund.

“It is not easy to conduct research at this level because we have to rely on external organisations. The government also supports us through the National Research Fund, but we must competitively apply for these resources,” he said.

Dr. Onsando said that achieving world-class status for Kenyan universities will require substantial investment in research, infrastructure, and human capital.

“Our dream is to make this university a Harvard of some sort, but that will require us to generate our own resources and invest heavily in quality research and facilities,” he said.

Arina said that universities like JKUAT, supported by strong governance structures, are well positioned to refine research processes and deliver more impactful outcomes over time.

“I believe the university will take the challenges identified here and process them systematically to make research better. That is how we ensure that each conference builds on the previous one,” he said.

He added that bridging the gap between research and practical application is essential for Kenya’s transition into a knowledge-based economy.

“Market-driven innovations, industry-aligned training, and strong partnerships between universities, government, and the private sector can transform universities into engines of economic growth. This strategy benefits students, enhances the relevance of academic research, and ensures that scientific advancements translate into tangible solutions that improve citizens’ lives,” he said.

By Amos Kiarie