Directorate of Research, Innovation and Extension (RIE) – Karatina University

History of the Directorate

The Directorate of Research, Innovation and Extension, was initially named the Directorate of International Programmes, Linkages and Research (DIPLR) and was established in 2013. DIPLR was later on split into two, the Directorate of University-Industry linkage (U-IL) and Directorate of Research and International Programmes (R&IP). In 2019, the Directorate of (R&IP) was renamed; Directorate of Research, Innovation and Extension (RIE) with the function of International Programmes being transferred to (U-IL), which thus became the Directorate of University-Industry Linkage and International Programmes (U-IL &IP)

Vision

To be a Directorate of excellence committed to creation and advancement of Research knowledge, skills and Innovations.

Mission

To coordinate, support and encourage research and innovation.

Leadership of the Directorate The Directorate is headed by the Director.

Prof. Michael N.I Lokuruka

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The overall Mandate of Directorate

To Coordinate the provision of resources for research training, mentorship, proposal writing, and dissemination of research findings as well as coordination of registration of Innovations, patenting and commercialization of innovations and other intellectual assets.

Objectives

To coordinate the provision of resources for university level training mentorship and the conduct of research.
To promote ethical research practices by the University community and collaborators.
To enhance research capacity and capability through training and identification of grant calls and opportunities for university staff to get involved in.
To hold seminars and workshops for both staff and students on registration and commercialization of Industrial Property assets.

Recent Activities

The director is a recent recipient of a research grant of 10 million KES (March 2024 -2027) by Eureka Globalstars Organization (Belgium) for ‘’Banana – based Foods and feeds in Central Kenya.”
Regular hosting of Mentorship programmes and dissemination of calls for proposals (CFP) to members of staff.
A workshop on commercialization of innovations R2C Accelerator programme sponsored by Karatina University and Viktoria Ventures of Nairobi (15-16 February 2024).
Hosted 4 researchers from Humbold university in Berlin for research on global food value chains in Central Kenya (May 2023).

Our Projects

EUREKA GLOBALSTARS PROJECT

Title of Project: ‘’Banana-based foods and feeds: Enhancing food security, nutrition, health and livelihoods in Central Kenya.’’

Domicile: Karatina University

Value: KSh. 10 Million

Project Period: 2024-2026

Researchers

Michael N.I. Lokuruka (Co-PI, Kenya), SAB, Karatina University
Songisepp (Co-PI), BIOCC ÖU, Estonia, EU
Sheila M. Kilonzi, SAB, Karatina University
Grace Kamotho, SAB, Karatina University
Dennis Maina, SAB, Karatina University
Kellen Kiambati, SoB, Karatina University
Pauline Thuku, SESS, Karatina University

EUREKA ORGANIZATION

EUREKA is an intergovernmental organisation for research and development funding and coordination. It is an open platform for international cooperation in innovation. Organisations and companies applying through EUREKA programmes can access funding and support from national and regional ministries or agencies for their international R & D projects.

EUREKA is not a European Union research programme, but rather an intergovernmental organisation of national ministries or agencies, of which the EU is a member. Cooperation and synergy are sought between EUREKA and the research activities of the EU proper, such as with European Union’s Horizon 2020 and the European Research Area Programme.

The organization was founded in 1985 by prominent European political figures, it has grown to one of the longest running European organizations dedicated to the financing of joint European R & D projects.

Our team appreciates EUREKA Organization and the National Research Fund (NRF), Kenya, for the financial support of this project and BIOCC ÖU of Estonia for the International partnership with our team at Karatina University. Our local manufacturing/Industrial partner is Ziara Dairies of Nairobi, Kenya.

Prof. Michael N.I. Lokuruka, Ph.D., EBS (Co-PI, Kenya)

R2C training held on 15 and 16 February

For enquiries, please contact the Directorate through the email address:drie@karu.ac.ke