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KEFRI and Kabarak University have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU). KEFRI Deputy Director of Research and Development Dr Bernard Kigomo and the Vice Chancellor of Kabarak University Prof Dankit Nassiuma signed the MoU at KEFRI head office in Muguga on 27th February, 2012. Present at the ceremony were KEFRI staff Dr. Daniel Nyamai, Dr. Joshua Cheboiwo, Sheila Mbiru and Emily Kitheka while Prof Jackson Kitetu, Prof Jacob Kibor and Mr Eliud Michura represented the university. In his welcome speech Dr. Kigomo stated that the agreement will foster an already existing cooperation and forge closer scientific collaboration between the two institutions. Stakeholders in the Rift Valley and other regions will also benefit from this cooperation. Stressing on the need to create similar collaboration with other stakeholders, Dr Kigomo described the partnership as a step forward in an effort to conserve water catchments like the Mau forests complex. |
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Prof Nassiuma revealed that Kabarak University is strategically located in an area that is ideal
for forestry related issues. The KEFRI Londiani Centre Director Dr. Cheboiwo said that KEFRI will establish trial plots at the ground of the university to determine water uptake by various tree species. Grevillea, Eucalyptus and croton are some of the eight tree species that have been identified for this trial. Domestication of herbal plants, which is ongoing in KEFRI regional centres, will also be established at the university. “We feel honored by this historic partnership which has started at the beginning of the year. The research collaboration is an important part of Kabarak University's effort in helping students and staff to understand pharmacy and conventional medicine,” stated Prof Kitetu, adding that the initiative will also contribute significantly to the understanding and preservation of herbal medicine. Dr. Nyamai described the signing of the MoU as the “peak of the past years of informal co- operation between the two institutions. In August 2009, KEFRI and Kabarak University hosted the 11th Biometric – Sub-Saharan Africa Network (SUSAN) of the the International Biometry Society ( IBS) Conference. SUSAN-IBS is a network of national biometric groups from sub- Saharan countries who are members of the International Biometric Society. |
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