- The National Biosafety Authority (NBA) and Chuka University signed an MoU to strengthen biosafety education, research and innovation.
- The collaboration will support curriculum development, training modules, internships and mentorship programmes for students and staff.
- The initiative aims to build skilled professionals, promote safe biotechnology practices and reinforce Kenya’s biosafety regulatory framework.
The National Biosafety Authority (NBA) has entered into a landmark partnership with Chuka University to strengthen collaboration in biosafety education, research, innovation and capacity building. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed at Chuka University by NBA Acting Chief Executive Officer Dr. Ann Karimi and Vice‑Chancellor Prof. Henry Mutembei, sets the stage for long‑term cooperation aimed at advancing biosafety knowledge and promoting safe biotechnology practices.
The agreement provides a framework for joint research projects, curriculum development, professional training and public awareness initiatives. It will also open opportunities for students and staff through internships, industrial attachments, mentorship programmes, biosafety summer schools and collaborative research engagements that link academia with industry.
Dr. Karimi commended Chuka University for its commitment to advancing biosafety and biotechnology through strategic partnerships. She emphasised that NBA remains dedicated to working with institutions of higher learning to strengthen Kenya’s biosafety regulatory framework, promote scientific innovation and build national capacity. “The Authority’s expertise and resources are available for the benefit of all Kenyans, and we are working with stakeholders to address misinformation and disinformation that could hinder adoption of GMOs and other modern biotechnology innovations,” she said.
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Prof. Mutembei described the partnership as a milestone for Chuka University, noting that it will enhance research and innovation, strengthen practical training for students and foster closer collaboration between academia, industry and regulatory institutions. He expressed confidence that the MoU would help develop skilled professionals capable of addressing emerging biosafety challenges.
Under the agreement, NBA and Chuka University will collaborate in training and capacity building, supervision of students, industrial and field attachments, short‑term professional courses, exchange of examiners and lecturers, and development of training modules on biosafety and regulatory compliance. The partnership will also support curriculum review in biosafety, biotechnology and emerging technologies.
In research and publication, the collaboration will focus on technology generation, demonstration and transfer, joint publications, information sharing through libraries and electronic databases, and sharing of research and training facilities. Students pursuing Bachelor of Science programmes in Biosafety and Biosecurity are expected to benefit significantly, as the initiative responds to the growing demand for qualified professionals to support national and global health preparedness.
NBA is already working with several institutions including Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST), the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO), the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Kenyatta University and the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe). Other universities offering biosafety and biotechnology programmes include JKUAT, University of Eldoret, Moi University, Kisii University, Technical University of Kenya, University of Nairobi and Maseno University.
Established under the Biosafety Act, Cap. 320, NBA is mandated to supervise and regulate the transfer, handling and use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to safeguard human and animal health while protecting the environment. The new partnership with Chuka University underscores the shared commitment of both institutions to advancing biosafety education, promoting innovation and supporting sustainable national development.
By Correspondent
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