MMU Chairman of Council Dr. Albert Kochei has said that research is not just an academic pursuit but a critical tool for achieving national transformation, global competitiveness, and human development.
Speaking during the closing ceremony of a three-day workshop on capacity building in resource mobilization and grant proposal writing, Dr. Kochei said that research goes beyond academic inquiry and is a vital instrument for driving national transformation.
Dr. Kochei said that it is on this recognition that the university Council has approved the establishment of the Directorate of Research, Innovation, and Enterprise Development, which will centralize coordination of all scholarly and grant-related activities.
“We are also launching a seed grant initiative to incubate promising research by young and emerging scholars while also implementing a research recognition and incentive framework to reward productivity, quality, and impact,” revealed Dr. Kochei
He also said that the university is strengthening its orientation toward Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles with the believe that universities should not only teach and research about sustainability, but must also model it.
“Therefore, our research and partnerships will prioritize environmental resilience, including climate adaptation, clean energy, and sustainable urban solutions, social impact, especially in public health, community development, creative economies, and digital inclusion, governance excellence, where ethics, accountability, and data-driven decision-making guide our institutional frameworks,” he said.
On partnerships, Dr. Kochei said that MMU is determined to build mutually beneficial linkages with local and international institutions, adding that the partnerships will unlock collaborative opportunities in joint research, staff and student exchange, and shared innovation platforms.
“Let me reaffirm my personal commitment as Chairman of the Council to position MMU on both the national and global map. Our ambition is not simply visibility—it is leadership. We want MMU to be known for academic rigor, innovation, social relevance, and sustainability,” said Dr. Kochei.
The event was also graced by CEO National Research Fund Prof. Dickson Andala who encouraged the university’s top leadership to prioritize activities and policies that will build the institution’s research portfolio.
Also present was Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs Research and Innovation Prof. Livingstone Ngoo, and Director of Research, Innovation and Enterprise Development Dr. David Wekesa.
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