Research and innovation remain central in solving current challenges and a critical proposition for youth empowerment in Kenya. The Principal Secretary, State Department for Higher Education and Research, Dr. Beatrice Inyangala said this in a speech read by TU-K VC, Prof. Benedict Mutua during the Kenya National Research Festival 2024 stakeholders’ briefing.  “It is recognised globally that research, science, technology, and innovation are essential for social and economic development. Most European and North America countries owe their development to intensive application of research findings.

The Technical University of Kenya (TU-K), the University of Pretoria in South Africa and Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts in Germany are collaborating on a joint summer school dubbed “NICE Lab 50/50 Workshop” which was opened today by TU-K Vice-Chancellor Prof. Benedict Mutua at the university’s main campus. In a speech delivered on his behalf by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Institutional Advancement and Enterprises (IAE), Prof. Paul Wambua, the VC stated that the event marked a significant step forward in fostering innovation and creativity within the academic community. “Design is not merely about creating beautiful objects for spaces; it is a fundamental process that drives innovation, solves problems, and enhances our everyday lives,” he said.

The Technical University of Kenya has received a grant of EUR 34000 (Sh4.7 million) from OeAD-GmbH-Austria’s Agency for Education and Internationalisation. The grant will support their project titled “Sustainability of Flood Plains Supported Livelihood in the Face of Climate Change in East Africa (Kenya and Rwanda)-PRO-SFP-EA”  

The project, spearheaded by Dr Evance Mbao and Dr Jane Oteki of the Department of Geosciences and the Environment, represents a collaborative effort between several institutions. Alongside TU-K, partners include Kisii University, Chuka University, University of Rwanda, and University of Innsbruck, Austria.