Nairobi: The Commission for University Education (CUE) has advocated for a significant portion of funds set aside for research and development to be specifically allocated to universities. The Commission's CEO, Prof. Mike Kuria, emphasized that out of the 2% of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) committed to research and development, a substantial percentage should be directed to universities to enable them to effectively fulfill their core mandates in these areas.
According to Kenya News Agency, Prof. Kuria, speaking during a tree planting exercise at Zetech University, highlighted that several areas of research and innovation within universities have stagnated. Researchers face frustration as their ideas and innovations often remain unexploited due to insufficient funding. The commission has submitted reports recommending this reallocation of funds and hopes for its implementation.
The commitment of 2% of the country's GDP is part of the Science, Technology and Innovation Act of 2013, aiming to bolster the Science, Technology, and Innovation sector. However, the National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI) reports that Kenya currently spends about 0.8% of its GDP on research and development, posing challenges for researchers in carrying out their responsibilities.
Prof. Kuria pointed out that universities need these funds to develop new ideas and innovations, which are crucial for growth and for enabling the country to compete in the global economy. He remarked, "A lot of Kenya's research is carried out in higher education learning institutions, making them important assets in improving the country's economy. There is also a lot of competition for government funding where you find hundreds of students sending in their proposals, but only a handful managing to get it. This is due to inadequate funding. If more money is set aside as per the proposal, then this challenge will be addressed."
On the topic of environmental conservation, Prof. Kuria urged universities to plant tree species that align with their institutions' technical and research missions, which can be utilized for research initiatives.
Zetech University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Njenga Munene, supported Prof. Kuria's stance, noting that most of the trees grown at the institution are intended for research as well as environmental greening. The Vice Chancellor also reaffirmed the university's commitment to integrating sustainability into its operations and curriculum, positioning Zetech as a model for green practices in higher education. Prof. Munene added, "Zetech has already established a tree nursery with trees of various species that we use for research. We have also come up with a greening exercise which seeks to contribute to climate resilience."