Egerton University Research Kenya Challenges

PS State department of Cabinet Affairs Dr Idris Salim Dakota(Left) , PS State department of Science Technology and Research Prof Abdulrazak Shaukat (Centre) , Director General NACOSTI (Right) take a look at black soldier fly innovation during the Egerton University International Conference

Egerton University Vice Chancellor Prof Isaac Kibwage, has called for increased investment in research programmes to address some of country’s most pressing challenges.

Kibwage said major issues facing Kenya and the world, including climate change, food and nutrition insecurity, technological disruption and socio-economic inequality, are interconnected and require integrated, research-driven solutions.

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He spoke during the university’s 16^th Biennial International Conference.

He highlighted how the university, in partnership with various institutions, has strengthened biotechnology and plant breeding capacity.

It had also expanded research in agro-processing and value addition and deepened community-engaged approaches to ensure innovations respond directly to societal needs.

“The institution’s environmental conservation initiatives, such as restoration efforts within critical ecosystems, including the Mau Forest Complex, show how university research can translate into measurable ecological and community impact,” Kibwage said.

The conference, themed ‘Empowering Change: Advancing Sustainable, Inclusive and Resilient Global Societies through Agriculture, Education, Science, Technology and Innovation’, brought together researchers from across Africa and beyond.

Close to 150 papers were presented across sub-themes, including mathematics, engineering, climate-smart agriculture, education under the Competency-Based Curriculum, and science, technology and innovation transformation.

Senior government officials, including principal secretaries and directors from various state departments, attended the three-day event at the Egerton main campus in Njoro, Nakuru county.

“Gathered here are great minds from diverse institutions, disciplines and countries, united by a shared commitment to scholarship, innovation and societal transformation,” Kibwage said.

He added that research lies at the heart of Egerton University’s identity as a leading institution in agriculture, education, health sciences, engineering and social sciences.

He said the university aligns its research agenda with national development priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals.

“Scholars are advancing climate-smart agriculture, improving crop varieties and seed systems, enhancing livestock productivity, strengthening food safety and nutrition research and developing evidence-based policy recommendations for sustainable land and water management,” he said.

This year’s conference chairperson Mirriam Karuitha of the Department of Crops and Horticulture, noted that private and public sector exhibitors showcased products resulting from research, including improved seed varieties.

“The private sector partnership provides the easiest route for marketing and commercialising these products once research is complete,” she said.