Prof. Jackson Kioko Kwanza has been confirmed as the substantive Deputy Vice Chancellor Research, Production and Extension (RPE) at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT). This follows a competitive recruitment process for the five-year tenure that commences on January 1, 2025.
The professor from the Department of Pure and Applied Mathematics at JKUAT has held several management positions prior to his appointment as Acting DVC RPE in August 2022. Notably, he served as Principal of JKUAT Karen Campus for 9 years, a role that further honed his leadership expertise.
In her congratulatory message, JKUAT Vice Chancellor, Prof. Victoria Wambui Ngumi, commended Prof. Jackson Kioko Kwanza on his confirmation as DVC RPE. She praised his dedication, leadership, and contributions to the university’s academic and research excellence.
“On behalf of the entire JKUAT community, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Prof. Kwanza on his well-deserved appointment as DVC RPE. His exemplary service, particularly during his Acting capacity, has been instrumental in driving the university’s research and innovation agenda.
I am confident that under his leadership, JKUAT will continue to achieve new milestones in advancing academic excellence, impactful research, and community engagement. We look forward to his continued contributions as we work together to position JKUAT as a leader in research and innovation both locally and globally.”
Prof. Kwanza is elated at this appointment which aligns with his personal vision and philosophy of becoming a leading university scholar and administrator, dedicated to serving humanity with commitment and fairness.
“This appointment marks an important milestone in my career progression. It comes with a heavier responsibility of running a division of a university. Having acted in the position for more than two years, I have learned a lot about the mandate of the division and what has been its success stories and what needs to be done moving forward,” said Prof. Kwanza.
An alumnus of JKUAT and Kenyatta University, Prof. Kwanza believes that the division’s research arm should be strengthened through multidisciplinary and multi-institutional collaboration. He emphasizes the division’s pivotal role in the internationalization of the university by fostering partnerships with organizations worldwide.
“There is need for stronger linkages between innovators, researchers, and industry. Digitalizing activities and processes within the division will significantly enhance operational efficiency. Additionally, strengthening resource mobilization through grant proposal writing, bidding for consultancies, and commercializing research and innovation outputs is crucial for sustained growth and impact.”
He further notes that the university farms should produce enough food to sustain the university community and sell any surplus to the neighboring community. He believes this approach could be key to effective community outreach and technology transfer, as the university would set a positive example through its success.
Prof. Kwanza’s passion for academics and research is reflected in the remarkable results achieved during his 30 years of service at JKUAT. His leadership has consistently guided key processes to success, with many of the initiatives under his direction proving to be highly fruitful, whether in his capacity as a member or as a leader.