By James Wakahiu
Mount Kenya University (MKU) has unveiled its Nakuru campus as a Centre of Excellence for Animal Health, Agriculture and Education Science. This will contribute to the national pursuit of food security, an agenda in line with United Nations Sustainable Goals.
“Recently, the campus received the best training and research equipment to support training in agriculture, animal health and production, and education science programme,” Prof. Deo Jaganyi said.
MKU Vice Chancellor Prof. Deo Jaganyi said the initiative has resulted to an increase in student enrollment, programmes, and academic and research resources.
The VC spoke while addressing 4,500 graduands and thousands of parents and invited guests during the 22nd Graduation Ceremony on Friday December 9, 2022 at the institution’s main campus in Thika town adding that with its new status, the campus is now better equipped to train professionals who will lead the country’s agriculture sector in the future.
The Nakuru campus is the latest to acquire a Centre of Excellence status. The varsity had designated Thika as a global hub of excellence in Medical and Human Health. Its Nairobi campus is a Centre of Excellence in Business and Graduate Studies while Parklands Law campus, also in Nairobi, is a centre of excellence in Legal Training. The MKU Mombasa campus targets excellency in Maritime Studies and the Blue Economy.
Meanwhile, the university Senate has approved two new programmes, the Master of Science in Crop Protection and Photo-Sanitary Science; and the Diploma in Animal Health and Production (upgrading).
“In the same period, the University Senate also approved a revised curriculum for the Bachelor of Science in Animal Health,” Prof. Jaganyi added.
He said that the university has opened its doors to all members of the research community in Kenya to access and utilize its modern research facilities.
“To facilitate research activities, MKU has acquired multi-million worth of state-of-the-art research equipment that has positioned the institution as one of the best and most well-equipped academic and research institutions in East Africa,” he said.
The College of Graduate Studies and Research is also running a multi-disciplinary Concept Research Call among faculty members through the Vice-Chancellor’s Seed Grant which provides seed money to support research. Currently, 18 projects have been approved for financial support.
“MKU has the highest number of internationally and externally funded research projects, of which we are currently running 36 research projects funded to the tune of Ksh 137 million,” he said.
The Professor added: “To facilitate access to the university research facilities and enhance our community engagement, the University has embarked on the revision of its research policy in an effort to include newly developed guidelines for access to research equipment by members of the public and those from other institutions. This will foster the University’s community engagement activities as it seeks to impact positively on the communities in which we operate.”
To provide innovative solutions to the society, 20 incubates are hosted in the MKU Innovation and Incubation Hub for a six-month training up to February 2023. As part of showcasing the innovation projects, the University secured sponsorship from the British Council to support three of the top innovators at the hub and one staff member during the Kenya Innovation Week 2022 (KIW) in November 2022.
