Rsif Assesses Progress at Kenyatta University During Monitoring Visit
The Regional Scholarship Innovation Fund (Rsif) Regional Coordination Unit International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) conducted a physical monitoring and evaluation field visit to Kenyatta University (KU), located in Kenya’s capital Nairobi. KU is one of the 15 Rsif African Host Universities (AHU).
The visit’s purpose was to discuss the implementation status and the progress of the PASET-Rsif funded PhD students of Material Science and Engineering at the Physics department of the university. The AHUs host Rsif sponsored PhD scholars in five priority thematic areas, including ICT including big data and artificial intelligence, Food security and agri-business, Minerals, mining and materials engineering, Energy including renewables and Climate change within the universities. They also undertake projects with support from the research and innovation grants.
There were also updates from the faculty on the performance of the research and Innovation projects funded by Rsif. Scholars were also given the opportunity to discuss any challenges experienced and remedial actions were put in place.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof Caroline Thoruwa hailed the model of sandwich placement which she said works well since it gives the students an opportunity to visit other labs across the world.
“The collaboration with icipe goes for many years and is something we are happy about since this programme makes our students very visible,” Prof Thoruwa stated.
“It is an amazing programme since the students get exposed to the best mentoring opportunity. We are looking forward to strengthening this collaboration,” she added.
Speaking during the meeting, the Executive Dean in the School of Pure and Applied Sciences Dr Mathew P. Ngugi stated that “The research the students do make impact in the community level and it can be translated to improve lives.”
Dr Walter Njoroge who is Rsif AHU coordinator Physics Department, stated that their dream is to make physics department a centre of excellence and they are on course as far as Rsif scholars progress is concerned.
“About five of our Rsif scholars will be graduating next year and members of staff in the physics department are doing their best. The material science students will graduate on time.
Prof Raphael Nyenge, Chairperson, the Chairperson Physics Department said, “We channelled the innovation grant in the direction of cancer and diabetes research, and it will be a game changer in people’s lives.”
On his part Dr Julius Ecuru, Manager for Rsif Regional Coordination Units at icipe thanked Kenyatta University for the partnership, adding that their efforts to ensure quality PhD graduates is commendable.
“So far, Rsif has 282 scholars registered in the 15 AHUs. He added that Rsif has 32 international partner institutes across the world. “What we look forward to is closing the skills gap in applied sciences and engineering and PhD is one of the gateways to achieving that,” Dr Ecuru stated.
“Three things we look out for are quality of our scholars to be well rounded and competitive in the labour market; Timely completion of their studies within the stipulated time; and connecting their research with industry,” he highlighted.
He also mentioned that Government of Kenya gave additional funds towards the programme.
Dr Evelyn Nguku who is the capacity-building specialist, stated that Rsif is looking forward to taking the collaboration further into research led networks.
“We already have existing partnerships with KU and they have partnerships in the US, Europe and South Korea through the sandwich placement programme. So, this needs to be taken further to strengthen the research capacity. ”
More visits are expected to continue to other Rsif AHUs.