Kabarak University School of Music and Media proudly hosted the 4th International Research Conference on Mass Communication on Monday, June 16, 2025. Held under the theme Artificial Intelligence and the Evolution of Mass Communication: Balancing Innovation with Media and Public Relations Ethics,   the two-day conference attracted scholars, media professionals, researchers, and students from across Kenya and beyond. It offered a robust discourse on the intersection of AI, media innovation, and ethical communication.

The National Research Fund (NRF) has officially launched its Grants Capacity Building Initiative (GCBI), a strategic programme aimed at enhancing the capacity of Kenya s public and private institutions to attract funding through collaborative and high-impact research proposals. To mark the launch, NRF hosted a week-long GCBI Workshop from 9 to 13 June 2025 at Burch s Resort, Naivasha, bringing together 65 participants from 30 institutions across the country.

 Kabarak University, through its Directorate of Research, Innovation, and Outreach (RIO), continues to promote a culture of creativity and problem-solving among students. As part of its commitment to nurturing innovation, RIO organized an Internal Innovation Pitch Showcase on June 12, 2025, at the Kabarak University main campus. This initiative serves as a crucial step in preparing students for the China International College Students Innovation Competition (CICSIC) 2025, a prestigious global platform for young innovators.

Kabarak University is excited to partner with the University of Nairobi and the University of California, San Francisco, to offer a groundbreaking opportunity for final-year female STEM students. The ENGAGE Program, which aims to empower women through data science, is back with an incredible chance for young women to immerse themselves in the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning.

Kabarak University had the distinct privilege of participating in the Data Science Africa (DSA) 2025 workshop and conference, held at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, from June 2 to 6, 2025. This prestigious event brought together researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and students from across Africa and beyond, united by a shared goal of advancing data science and artificial intelligence (AI) for sustainable development on the continent. The conference was supported by globally recognized institutions and industry leaders, including Google, DeepMind, ARM, Edge Impulse, AI4D Africa, IDRC/CRDI, and IEEE, among others.

Today, Kabarak University proudly participated in the virtual Opening Ceremony of the China International College Students Innovation Competition (CICSIC) 2025 Africa Division, marking the official launch of this prestigious global innovation platform. This initiative, deeply rooted in strengthening Sino-African educational ties, aims to ignite the innovative spirit of African youth to shape a shared future.

Tuesday, 27th May 2025, marked the highly anticipated launch of the inaugural Innovation Challenge at Kabarak University ODeL Centre (KABUODeL). The Directorate of Research, Innovation, and Outreach initiated a rigorous review and evaluation process, highlighting the vibrant spirit of innovation that thrives within the university community.

Kabarak University participated in the Connected Africa Summit 2025, held in Diani, Kwale County, Kenya, under the theme The Digital Journey: Vision to Reality.  The summit brought together policymakers, industry leaders, academia, and innovators from across the continent to deliberate on actionable strategies for accelerating Africa s digital transformation. The university s presence at this high-level event reflected its strong commitment to contributing to national and regional development through technology, research, and community engagement.

The National Commission for Science, Technology, and Innovation (NACOSTI) continues to play a pivotal role in safeguarding the integrity of research across Kenya. As the body responsible for promoting ethical standards in science and research, NACOSTI remains committed to strengthening the capacity of Institutional Scientific and Ethics Review Committees (ISERCs) and individual researchers through targeted training programs.

At Kabarak University, we recognize that transformative innovation flourishes through collaboration, knowledge exchange, and strategic partnerships. In pursuit of excellence and impactful entrepreneurship, our delegation, led by Dr. Phillip W. Nyawere, Ag. Director, Research, Innovation and Outreach, and Andrew K. Kipkebut, PhD, Coordinator, Innovation and Business Incubation, recently embarked on a benchmarking tour at JHUB Africa, the renowned innovation hub at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT).