Milestones & Achievements
Establishment of a mycotoxins laboratory
The laboratory was started with the help from Prof.Sheila Okoth a Mycologist at the University of Nairobi. The idea of building the lab came after Prof. Okoth after winning African Women in Agricultural research & Development (AWARD) fellow in 2009. The lab has carried out various tests for organization such as the World Food Programme, Kenya Bureau of Standards, among others. In addition the lab team also worked with Meru County government in drafting a model bill for aflatoxin risk management for the County. The laboratory was awarded the ISO/IEC 17025:2005 accreditation by the Kenya Accreditation Service (KENAS) on May 21st 2019.
The Sign-IO gloves
Roy Alela, a 25-year-old Microprocessor Technology and Instrumentation engineering graduate from the department of Physics invented smart gloves that auto-translate sign language into speech. The innovative student created the pair of gloves equipped with flex sensors in order to communicate with his niece who is deaf. The gloves are connected to an app via Bluetooth, which then vocalizes the letters. The gloves have an accuracy of 93 percent. During the recent Mashujaa day celebrations, President Uhuru Kenyatta lauded Roy for his efforts of inventing this smart glove.
Establishment of the Department of Biochemistry
Formerly known as The Centre for Biotechnology& Bioinformatics (CEBIB) the Department of Biochemistry was established in 2005 as a virtual research centre to train postgraduate students at MSc and PhD level in biosciences (biotechnology & Bioinformatics). The goal of the program is to develop capacity and manpower for the development of Biotechnology. The postgraduate program admitted its first 15 students on 3rd July 2005.the dept of Biochemistry was the first institution of its kind currently offering post graduate training in biotechnology and bioinformatics in the eastern and Central African Region.
Establishment of Dept of earth Climate Sciences
the Dept of earth Climate Sciences formerlyThe Institute for Climate Change and Adaptation (ICCA) was established in 2011 to address the unique climate change and adaptation needs of vulnerable communities through teaching, action-oriented research, development of innovative technologies and community participation. The Institute also provides expert advice for national and regional policy formulation and implementation. Currently, the Institute hosts a student population of 271 postgraduate (MCCA & PhD) students
Establishment of ICIPE by Prof. Thomas Risley Odhiambo
International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) was founded in 1970 by the late Prof. Risley Odhiambo who was a lecturer in the Department of Zoology at the University of Nairobi. The Centre had its first headquarters at Chiromo Campus, University of Nairobi.Prof. Odhiambo proposed the establishment of an Africa insect research centre that would train young researchers from Africa and across the globe. This led to the formation of ICIPE which is now a centre for scientific research and training in Africa and collaborates with over 200 national systems, research institutes and universities around the world. This year the centre is celebrating 50 years since it was founded.
Establishment of c4d lab
The lab was set up in 2013 at the dept of computer science formelySchool of Computing and informatics as an innovation hub for startups that have a computing element. The lab supports the startups by providing resources and services that the startup companies do not have. Some if the projects undertaken by the lab include uonbike share which provided bikes for students and ready to work program which is a program that aims to equip learners with the right skills to help them transition form education into the world of work among others.