Commission for University Education CEO Prof Mike Kuria, Zetech University Vice Chancellor Prof Njenga Munene and the University Dean School of Business and Economics Prof Peter Kibas at the institution in Juja, Kiambu County.
The Commission for University Education (CUE) and stakeholders in the higher education sector are advocating for extension and increase of funding for research in universities.
CUE and players in the sector argued that universities are the main research centers in the country but grapple with funding and infrastructure challenges.
They said competition for limited funding has seen a lot of valuable research proposals shelved.
CUE chief executive officer Prof Mike Kuria advocated for the extension of part of two per cent of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to research and development at higher learning institutions.
“This will limit over-reliance on outside sources and unnecessary project delays,” he stated.
Research GDP represents a country's total expenditure on research and development (R&D) activities by companies, government laboratories, research institutions,, and universities.
In March, the National Research Fund unveiled a proposal to revamp the governing law in science, technology,, and innovation to provide up to two per cent of the GDP.
According to the Central Bank of Kenya, the country's GDP stood at Sh13. 5 trillion in 2022; thus, two per cent of the amount would be Sh260 billion.
Africa lags behind in funding research,, as most countries spend less than one per cent of their GDP on research compared to developed nations,, which dedicate more than 3 per cent.
According to the National Commission for Science, Technology,, and Innovation (NACOSTI), Kenya spends about 0.8 percent of its GDP on research and development, a fact that has made it a challenge for researchers, most of whom work at universities.
"It is a good idea to have part of the funds allocated for research earmarked specifically for universities because they have the responsibility to carry out research; it's their core business," Kuria said.
He spoke during a visit to Zetech University's Mang'u campus in Juja, Kiambu County,, where he joined the university management and students in a tree-planting exercise.
Kuria added that adequate research funding will go a long way in enhancing dissemination of findings and introduction of new products into the market as researchers will work with ease.
Similar sentiments were echoed by Zetech University Vice Chancellor Prof Njenga Munene, who reiterated that research plays an integral part in growth of the country's economy and therefore should be properly funded.
He noted that it's through research that solutions to a myriad of challenges that bedevil the society and the country are found hence the need to invest in proper infrastructure to facilitate research.
He, however, noted that the government, through the relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Education and the National Research Fund (NRF) should expedite release of the current allocation to universities to ease financial limitations and burden on researchers.
