President William Ruto presents the Best University Stand Trophy at the NITF 2023 to Vice Chancellor, Prof. Victoria Wambui Ngumi
Embodying its reputation as Kenya’s Premier University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) has bagged the highly coveted Best University Stand at the Nairobi International Trade Fair (NITF) among other glittering trophies.
With stiff competition from multinationals, public and private institutions, among them, higher learning and research organizations, the honour of clinching the Best University Stand was complemented by Best Agro-processing Stand and Best Stand Exhibiting Agriculture and/or Earth Moving Equipments awards.
JKUAT also secured second positions in Best Stand in Research and Development and The Stand that Best Interprets Current Show Theme: Education and/or Research.
Ben Momanyi of JKUAT’s Institute of Biotechnology Research explains to the University Management how vermiculture propels organic farming. Listening on (from left) are the Chair of Council, Mr. Hassan Abdi Mohammed, Vice Chancellor Prof. Victoria Wambui Ngumi and Deputy Vice Chancellors, Prof. Jackson Kwanza, Prof. Robert Kinyua and Prof. Bernard Ikua.
These accolades have once again affirmed JKUAT’s prowess in research, innovation and entrepreneurship in the country. Among the eye-catching innovations and research during this year’s exhibitions were; Rehau Biogas, a simple-to-install biogas solution, specifically developed for farms housing two or more cows; Value Added Products; Snail Farming; Propagation of Seedlings, Duo Smart Measuring Meter and Automatic Irrigation Management System among others.
JKUAT continued its meteoric rise in cutting-edge research and innovations having recently bagged loads of 1st position trophies at the 2023 Central Kenya National Show in Nyeri.
At the official opening ceremony of the NITF, where JKUAT was honored with the Best University Stand trophy, President William Ruto underscored the pivotal role of agriculture as the bedrock of our economy. He emphasized the critical importance of empowering farmers, enabling them to unlock the vast potential within the agricultural sector, benefiting not only their personal prosperity but also serving as a catalyst for driving economic growth.
Vice Chancellor, Prof. Victoria Wambui Ngumi interacts with the Cacti products developed by Ruth Nyamgero, a Food Science Masters student
He underscored the need for comprehensive strategies and policies that enable farmers to thrive such as improving access to modern farming technologies, market access, and financial support.
“Let us recognize that agriculture is not merely the backbone of our economy; it is the lifeblood that sustains our nation’s growth and prosperity. By empowering our farmers with access to modern technologies, better market opportunities, and crucial financial support, we are not only nurturing their success but also cultivating the fields of economic advancement,” said President Ruto.
Vice Chancellor, Prof. Victoria Wambui Ngumi, expressed her immense pride in the outstanding performance of the University at the Nairobi International Trade Fair.
“I take immense pride in the achievements of our innovators, including both faculty and students, who represented the University at the Fair. Their unwavering dedication and hard work have resulted in remarkable success. I want to assure them of the full support of the University Management as we continue our journey towards becoming a leading research institution,” said Prof. Ngumi.
Dr. Cecilia Mweu of JKUAT’s Institute of Biotechnology Research describes the benefits of tissue culture especially in bananas and passion fruits
The Vice Chancellor emphasized that JKUAT has earned global recognition for its excellence in academia, and being recognized as the Best University underscores JKUAT’s unwavering commitment to excellence in education, research, innovation, and entrepreneurship. She added that the achievements further reflect the University’s determination to make a meaningful impact on our society.
“This presents us with an opportunity to demonstrate to the world that we possess the capability to generate solutions through our research outputs and innovations that address not only regional but also global challenges,” remarked Prof. Ngumi.
Additionally, Prof. Ngumi called upon both the government and the private sector to forge partnerships and collaborate closely with institutions of higher learning, particularly in the commercialization of research findings, to maximize the benefits for society.
3-wheel wheelchair customized by JKUAT and Motivation Charitable Trust for users and is fit for the rural and peri-urban terrain
Acknowledging the achievements as a testament to the dedication and hard work of the university’s faculty and students, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research Production and Extension, Prof. Jackson Kwanza conveyed a strong determination to surpass these accomplishments in the future.
With a focus on continuous improvement, he emphasized the institution’s willingness to explore new avenues, foster innovation, and collaborate effectively to achieve even greater success in upcoming endeavors.
Awards Galore for JKUAT at Nairobi International Trade Fair