The University through the Division of Planning Research and Innovation conducted a one-day workshop on access to research funding by Research Beeline on 11th July, 2024 at the School of Business Complex conference.

The conference was officially open by the  University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Thomas Cheruiyot. In his remarks, Prof. Cheruiyot identified that in an era when the university is slowly transforming to be visible and impactful, research, innovation and commercialization plays a crucial role for our success. He identified that the university has put measures in place to meet the research output. However, he decried of the fact that there is a missing link between faculty members and research division to meet the needed funding models necessary to ensure that the university meets its objectives. He pointed on the university’s intention to support staff who bring onboard impactful research grants in the coming future. This he emphasized is anchored on the need of improving the university ranking and research and innovation output is critical towards achieving this. Prof. Cheruiyot urged university faculty members to ensure that they use their collaboration with external parties to make winning proposal. He further called upon them to enhance a collaborative workspace to meet the various calls advertised. Finally, Prof. Cheruiyot implored on the need of faculty members to invest and build more capacity on our post-graduate students to access research grants.

Echoing the Vice-Chancellor’s remarks, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Planning Research and Extension Prof. Phillip Raburu acknowledged the members present and noted the importance of education, training, research and consultancy as a core university mandate. Prof. Raburu decried of the small number of academic staff who are actively engaged in research, and noted the fact that some schools lack active projects. He finalize by noting that this access to research funding workshop by Research Beeline platform is ideal in giving potential researcher research updates on a regular basis.

His sentiments were also echoed by the Acting. Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic and Student Affairs Prof. Beatrice Were and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Administration and Finance Prof. Wilson Ng’etich who decried of the status of research and innovation among faculty members, urging them to more proactive in seeking research grants.

The workshop saw presentation from Research Beeline CEO Dr. Joseph Maina Njogu who called upon the university to be the bridge between faculty members and their quest for research grand sourcing. Also, the workshop saw presentations from Prof. Odipo Osano on ‘Developing Quality Fundable Proposal’, Dr, Frank Masese on ‘Evaluation of Research Proposal’ and Prof. Julius Ochuodho on ‘Guidelines on responding to research/project grant calls’.

Also present during the workshop were Dr. James Waithaka- Chief Operating officer Research Beeline, Registrar Planning Dr. Benjamin Mwasi,  Acting Registrar Administration CPA. Dr. Francis Ikapel, Chair Board of Management Research and Innovation Prof. Gelas Simiyu, Director Research and Innovation Prof. Lizzy A. Mwamburi, Deans, Directors and School Research and Extension Committee members