KENYA – The Chairperson of the Board of Trustee of the National Research Fund (NRF) Prof. Ratemo Michieka has inaugurated an analytical and imaging laboratory at Murang’a University of Technology in Murang’a County, Kenya.
During the launching ceremony, the NRF boss announced that the brand-new facility aims to help in research and learning at the institution, the successor of Murang’a University College, a former constituent college of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT).
Prof. Michieka disclosed that the lab, worth over US$411,353 (KES 50 million), was constructed majorly using a grant of about US$380,000 (KES 46 million) got from the NRF in 2017.
“The laboratory is a modern facility that can be used in identifying and solving problems such as detecting various poisons and pollutants in water and soils to enable appropriate action,” the NRF Chairman stated.
In addition, the facility is well-equipped with the latest equipment that will enable researchers to identify and solve various problems facing different sectors including agriculture, pharmaceuticals and construction by analysing various products and ensuring quality is upheld.
It also expected to improve the status of the institution particularly in training students, carrying out research for post graduate students as well as researchers from outside the university.
The analytical and imaging laboratory will also be useful to the community in terms of soil and water quality analysis.
“Demand for quality services from government bodies by consumers continues to escalate, considering changing technology and increased access to information and knowledge by customers that enables them to create a certain level of expectation on the quality of service they require and aspire,” he said.
He further maintained that the modern facility would raise the status of the university as a research institution and termed it as the first big project of its kind funded by the government.
The former JKUAT Vice Chancellor further said that the laboratory, having been funded by the Kenyan Government, is open to all local universities and welcomed collaborations from the East African Community and beyond.
“This laboratory is open to other institutions of research especially universities that are training young people to analyze materials that were previously being taken out to other countries,” Prof. Michieka added.
The newly launched facility also has the potential of being an income generating lab where interested persons who have materials they need analysed can use the lab for a fee.
Furthermore, he advised the university’s Vice Chancellor Prof Dickson Nyariki to ensure that the equipment is kept in working condition and is well maintained at all times while emphasizing on the importance of delivering results from big investments.
The NRF lauded the steps that Murang’a University of Technology has taken towards the advancement of science and technology in the country while noting that it is important for the government to invest in similar infrastructure to improve university’s quality of education.
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