Welcome Note
Welcome to the The Directorate of Research Innovation and Outreach
The Directorate of Research was established in the year 2017 as a separate entity from the then Institute of Postgraduate Studies and Research. It was subsequently renamed to the Directorate of Research, Innovation and Outreach in the year 2019 in order to reflect the breadth of its mandate.
The directorate is headed by Dr Moses M Thiga, a lecturer in the school of Computer Science and Bioinformatics. Dr Thiga holds a Phd in Information Systems (Kabarak University), an M.Sc. Information Systems Management (Liverpool University), an M.Sc. Statistics (Egerton University) and a B.Sc. Computer Science (Egerton University)

Dr. Moses Thiga
Director, Research Innovation & Outreach
VISION
To be a center of excellence in research, innovation and outreach activities
MISSION
To create an enabling environment for students, members of staff, stakeholders and partners to engage in research, innovation and outreach activities that promote sustainable development
CORE VALUES
- Integrity: Uphold honesty and strong moral principles in all decisions and actions
- Excellence and professionalism: Ensure and maintain high standards in the discharge of responsibility and delivery of services
- Patriotism: Inculcate a sense of national identity
- Innovativeness and creativity: Adopt and utilize appropriate technology to achieve efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery
- Being mindful of others: Thinking about others
- Team work: Great things are best achieved by teams
Through this directorate the University seeks to achieve the following in the area of Research, Innovation and Outreach;
- Supporting, recognizing and rewarding research, innovation and outreach activities by faculty and students in the University.
- Attracting and managing research, innovation and outreach grants professionally and in line with the expectations of all stakeholders.
- Producing and disseminating research, innovation and outreach outputs on appropriate and quality platforms.
- Establishing and maintaining quality platforms for the dissemination of research, innovation and outreach outputs.
- Producing, safeguarding and exploiting all intellectual properties in an ethical, professional and legal manner.
- Undertaking all research, innovation and outreach activities in line with acceptable ethical standards.
- Establishing and managing hubs, laboratories, institutes and centers for research in a clear and sustainable manner.
- Ensuring the ethical and professional management of research data.
- Initiating and undertaking community outreach activities in a consistent and productive manner.
- Establishing and maintaining relevant and productive linkages for the purposes of academic, research, innovation and outreach activities.
The Research Committee
Mandate
The research committee performs the following functions:
- Developing policies, processes and guidelines on research at the University.
- Overseeing the management of the University research fund.
- Overseeing the establishment and operations of research centers and institutes in the University.
- Overseeing the organization and execution of research conferences, workshops and symposia at the University.
- Overseeing the processes for the application and management of research grants.
- Establishing and overseeing the structures and processes for the dissemination of research outputs at the University.
- Identifying and addressing needs related to research infrastructure, processes and other support required by researchers.
- Organizing for research capacity building for faculty and students.
Committee Membership
The committee comprises of the following members;
- Prof Jackson Kitetu – Senate Representative – Chairperson
- Dr Moses M Thiga – Director, Research, Innovation and Outreach – Secretary
- Prof Gladys Kiptionny – Director, Excellence in Learning and Teaching
- Mr Edwin Akumu – Director, Quality Assurance and Institutional Planning
- Ms Patricia Chebet – University Librarian
- Dr Wilson Shitandi – Director, Institute of Postgraduate Studies
- Dr Michael Walekhwa – Coordinator, Grants and Ethics
- Dr Christopher Maghanga – Coordinator, Editorial and Publications
- Mr Wilson Balongo – Coordinator, Innovation and Business Incubation
- Dr Philip Otieno – Research Chair, School of Science Engineering and Technology
- Ms Eunice Waruguru – Research Chair, School of Business and Economics
- Mr Fred Wekesa – Research Chair, School of Music and Performing Arts
- Ms Rahab Wakuraya – Research Chair, School of Law
- Ms Sarah Kiptala – Research Chair, School of Education
- Mr Josephat Tonui – Research Chair, School of Medicine and Health Sciences & School of Pharmacy
Each School in the University has a research Committee
School research committee mandate;
The school research committees work with Directorate of Research, Innovation and Outreach in;
- Promoting research among faculty and students in the respective schools
- Organizing school conferences, seminars and workshops.
- Organizing outreach activities at the school.
- Identifying partners and establishing research linkages at the school
- Overseeing publication of the school journal or journal issues in the University journal.
- Identifying and nurturing innovations at the school.
- Identifying and managing ethical issues in research.
The membership of the school research committee comprises of
- The Dean of School
- The school research chair
- The school editorial and publications coordinator
- The school innovations and business incubation coordinator
- The school outreach and linkages coordinator
- The school ethics committee representative
- Any other member/s appointed by the dean of school
Annual International Research Conferences
The university is actively engaged in promoting research activities through the organization of an annual international research conference, the publication of a peer reviewed journal, conducting training activities for researchers and through a university research grant program.
Research, Innovation and Outreach Grants
The University acknowledges the critical need for prudent management of research grants received from external sources as well as those set aside by the University itself. This prudent management ensures that the objectives for the funding are met as well as ensure that the University continues to be a recipient of such funding from various funding sources.
Research and Innovation Hubs, Laboratories, Institutes and Centres
1. Research and Innovation Hubs, Laboratories, Institutes and Centres Policy
2. Innovation Policy
3. University Intellectual Property (IP) policy
UPCOMING EVENTS & TRAININGS
The Innovation and Business Incubation Committee
Mandate of the committee
The Innovation and Business Incubation committee performs the following functions:
- Developing policies, processes and guidelines on innovation management at the University.
- Developing and running training programs for innovators on areas such as innovation, entrepreneurship, commercialization, IP Protection and in other technical areas required.
- Establishing innovation activities in all schools / disciplines
- Identifying commercially viable ideas and support their business incubation.
- Providing support for innovation in areas such as commercialization and IP protection.
- Organizing events to identify expose and reward innovators.
Members
The committee comprises of the following members;
- Coordinator, Innovation and Business Incubation.
- School Representatives
- General Manager, Kabarak University Enterprises
Outreach & Linkages
Outreach and Linkages Policies
The Outreach and Linkages Committee
Committee Mandate
The Outreach and Linkages committee performs the following functions:
- Developing policies, processes and guidelines on outreach and linkages at the University.
- Establishing and overseeing outreach activities in all schools.
- Establishing and overseeing linkages with the community and industry in all schools.
- Organizing and attending community and industry outreach programs and events to identify needs and to share University research outputs.
Members
The committee comprises of the following members;
- Coordinator, Outreach and Linkages
- School Representatives
- Marketing Manager
Institutional Research Ethics
Kabarak University Research Ethics Committee (KUREC)
Committee Mandate
The Institutional Research Ethics Review committee performs the following functions
- To developing policies, processes and guidelines on ethical review at the University.
- Reviewing, evaluating and deciding on the ethical merits of research proposals in order to ensure and guarantee the rights, dignity, safety and protection of actual or potential individuals, animals and communities who participate in research.
- Ensuring compliance with ethical standards.
- Providing advice and assistance with regard to ethical standards to anyone undertaking such research or teaching.
- Handling complaints or queries made by any interested person with regards to ethics in a research activity.
- Granting ethical approval for research activities by University staff, students and other parties seeking review and approval from KUREC.
Members
The committee comprises of the following members;
- Coordinator, Ethics
- School Representatives
- Director, Quality Assurance
- An External Member
- Two lay persons
Editorial and Publications
Editorial and Publications Policy
The Editorial and Publications Committee
Committee Mandate
The editorial and publications committee performs the following functions
- Developing editorial and publication policies, processes and guidelines for the University.
- Establishing and maintaining vibrant University journals and other publications.
- Identifying reviewers and editors for the University publications.
- Organizing training programs for faculty and students in the area of academic publications
- Providing support for University conference submissions review and publications.
Members
The committee comprises of the following members;
- Coordinator, Editorial and Publications
- School Representatives
- University Librarian