In 2022, Dr. Ian Kaniu a Senior Lecturer at University of Nairobi was awarded the Research and Innovation Grant by KENET in the Special Interest Group (SIG) for Computational Modelling and Materials Science (CMMS). The purpose of the grant was to lead the efforts in developing an on-site detection method for chlorothalonil in fresh vegetable /farm produce.
In 2022, Dr. Ian Kaniu a Senior Lecturer at University of Nairobi was awarded the Research and Innovation Grant by KENET in the Special Interest Group (SIG) for Computational Modelling and Materials Science (CMMS). The purpose of the grant was to lead the efforts in developing an on-site detection method for chlorothalonil in fresh vegetable /farm produce.
The increasing use of pesticides in modern agriculture has raised serious concerns about food safety, environmental sustainability, and public health. Chlorothalonil, a widely used pesticide to control fungal diseases in crops, has been linked to health risks, including cancer. Dr. Kaniu's research aims to provide an innovative, cost-effective, and non-destructive solution for detecting pesticide residues using unique spectral fingerprints and machine learning models for rapid pesticide screening.
Pesticide residues in food pose significant health risks, particularly in developing countries where regulatory enforcement may be weak. In Kenya, for example, recent studies have linked prolonged exposure to chlorothalonil with increased risks of cancer, endocrine disruption, and organ toxicity. Despite these concerns, conventional detection methods remain largely laboratory-based, time-consuming, and expensive. The lack of accessible screening tools has resulted in poor regulatory compliance and undetected exposure to harmful pesticide levels.
In Kenya, the digital divide remains significant, with approximately 25% of the population lacking access to the internet as of 2022. According to the UNESCO Report on Digital Connectivity in Education only 38% of schools in Kenya are connected to the internet. This highlights the disparities in educational resources and opportunities.
In the face of escalating global warming driven by rising Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions, a team of researchers led by Dr. Anthony Pembere at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) is pioneering innovative solutions to tackle this pressing environmental challenge.
In the face of escalating global warming driven by rising Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions, a team of researchers led by Dr. Anthony Pembere at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) is pioneering innovative solutions to tackle this pressing environmental challenge. Their groundbreaking project, Theory-Guided Engineering of Zeolite-Templated Carbons for Enhanced Selective CO2 Capture for Fuel Applications, leverages molecular dynamics, machine learning, and experimental synthesis to develop advanced materials capable of capturing CO2 and converting it into usable fuels.
In 2023, KENET awarded a total of KES 4,500,000 in Computational Modelling and Materials Science (CMMS) innovation grants to three (3) research projects. These grants were allocated to three (3) lead researchers and extended to twelve (12) additional team members from six (6) universities and one (1) research institute. Among the recipients was Dr. Anthony Pembere, a lecturer at Jaramogi Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST), who was one (1) of the three (3) lead researchers awarded the innovation grants.
He is the project’s primary investigator (PI). He holds a PhD in Chemistry from the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
The growing demand for modern teaching, learning, and research in educational institutions has necessitated significant infrastructural upgrades. In response, Africa Nazarene University (ANU) has embarked on a transformative initiative to enhance its digital campus infrastructure through a partnership with KENET's Digital Campus Infrastructure (DCI) initiative. This collaboration aims to address persistent challenges related to internet accessibility and reliability across the campus, thereby transforming Learning, Research and Working environments using technology
Before the implementation of DCI, ANU faced significant challenges in its digital infrastructure. One of the most pressing issues was the lack of comprehensive Wi-Fi coverage, particularly in student hostels, which restricted the use of modern tools of education like E-learning, online classes and access to online libraries for resident students.
The growing demand for modern teaching, learning, and research in educational institutions has necessitated significant infrastructural upgrades. In response, Africa Nazarene University (ANU) has embarked on a transformative initiative to enhance its digital campus infrastructure through a partnership with KENET's Digital Campus Infrastructure (DCI) initiative. This collaboration aims to address persistent challenges related to internet accessibility and reliability across the campus, thereby transforming Learning, Research and Working environments using technology
Before the implementation of DCI, ANU faced significant challenges in its digital infrastructure. One of the most pressing issues was the lack of comprehensive Wi-Fi coverage, particularly in student hostels, which restricted the use of modern tools of education like E-learning, online classes and access to online libraries for resident students.
The growing demand for modern teaching, learning, and research in educational institutions has necessitated significant infrastructural upgrades. In response, Africa Nazarene University (ANU) has embarked on a transformative initiative to enhance its digital campus infrastructure through a partnership with KENET's Digital Campus Infrastructure (DCI) initiative. This collaboration aims to address persistent challenges related to internet accessibility and reliability across the campus, thereby transforming Learning, Research and Working environments using technology
KENET has as one of its mandates, the role of catalyzing collaboration in research and education among member universities and research institutions. KENET promotes collaboration through facilitation of Special Interest Groups (SIGs) in priority academic areas, discovery of active researchers/faculty, provision of research and innovation grants to researchers and member institutions, as well as travel grants for faculty and/or graduate students in SIG areas.
Kenya Education Network (KENET) plays a pivotal role in catalyzing collaboration in research and education among member universities and research institutions. Through the facilitation of Special Interest Groups (SIGs), KENET fosters collaboration in priority academic areas, discovers active researchers and faculty, and provides essential funding opportunities, including research and innovation grants for researchers and member institutions, as well as travel grants for faculty and graduate students.
