A new chapter has been made in Kenya’s higher education landscape following the award of a charter to the Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (Kenya-AIST), the first institution in the country dedicated to offering postgraduate studies and advanced research programmes in science and technology.
The institution’s Council Chairman, Prof. Emmanuel Mutisya, on Thursday confirmed that the first cohort of about 110 students will be admitted in the coming months to pursue master’s programmes in various science and technology fields, fully sponsored by the Government.
Addressing the press at the university’s headquarters in Konza Technopolis during celebrations following the award of the charter by President William Ruto, Prof. Mutisya said Kenya-AIST will initially target a small number of top-performing students from universities both locally and abroad, who will undertake fully sponsored courses.
“We will be offering master’s and PhD programmes. This university is going to target the best students from across Kenya, Africa and the world. The Government plans to offer full scholarships, and the aim is to ensure students dedicate their time to studies and research to develop innovations that can be commercialized through industries to drive Kenya’s industrial development,” he said.
He said the award of the charter marked a significant milestone that will pave the way for the recruitment of outstanding professors and top students to kick-start operations at the pioneer campus.
Prof. Mutisya said Kenya-AIST will work closely with partners both in Kenya and abroad, including industries and universities in countries such as South Korea, China, and Sweden, as well as other industry players across the globe.
“Our plan is to work towards fueling Kenya’s journey to becoming a First World country. We have engaged President Ruto and received assurance that the institution will train young men and women in skills that Kenya needs to grow and compete with the best in the world.”
Among the courses to be offered are mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, civil and environmental engineering, and nuclear engineering. Others include chemical engineering, agricultural biotechnology engineering, cybersecurity, robotics, and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
READ ALSO: President Ruto awards charters to Kenya-AIST and KEMRI, elevating them to degree-awarding institutions
Prof. Mutisya said the country will be able to harness technology developed through the institution to drive Kenya’s industrial growth and propel the country to the next level.
Kenya-AIST: New frontier in science, technology and advanced research
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| University Name | Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (Kenya-AIST) |
| Location | Konza Technopolis |
| History | Kenya-AIST was established in 2022 under Legal Notice No. 130 as a constituent college of Dedan Kimathi University of Science and Technology. |
| Charter Award | The institution officially received its charter from President William Ruto in 2026. |
| Model University | Kenya-AIST is modelled after South Korea’s Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), one of Asia’s leading science and technology universities. |
| Current Status | The university is preparing to admit its first cohort of about 110 fully sponsored postgraduate students. |
| Courses Offered | Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Agricultural Biotechnology Engineering, Cybersecurity, Robotics, and Artificial Intelligence (AI). |
| Scholarship Plan | The Government plans to fully sponsor students undertaking master’s and PhD programmes. |
| Vision | To position Kenya as a leader in science, technology, innovation, and industrial development through advanced research and world-class training. |
| Future Plans | Kenya-AIST aims to recruit top professors and students from Kenya, Africa, and across the world while partnering with industries and universities globally. |
| Expected Impact | The institution is expected to drive industrialization, innovation, research commercialization, job creation, and Kenya’s transition towards a knowledge-based economy. |
Established in 2022 under Legal Notice No. 130 as a constituent college of Dedan Kimathi University of Science and Technology, Kenya-AIST is modelled after South Korea’s Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), one of Asia’s leading science and technology universities.
By Gastone Valusi
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