Directorate of Research Innovation and Technology Transfer

Directorate Leadership

Message from the Director

Welcome to the Directorate of Research, Innovation and Technology Transfer at Tom Mboya University.

The Directorate is committed to promoting a vibrant culture of research, innovation, knowledge creation and technology transfer that contributes to sustainable development and addresses the needs of society. We facilitate and support researchers, innovators and students in transforming ideas and research findings into practical solutions with meaningful social and economic impact.

Our focus is on strengthening research capacity, promoting interdisciplinary and collaborative research, supporting innovation and entrepreneurship, protecting and commercialising intellectual property, and fostering partnerships with industry, government, development agencies and other stakeholders.

We believe that research and innovation are essential drivers of institutional excellence and national transformation. The Directorate therefore provides an enabling environment for researchers and innovators to generate knowledge, develop new technologies, and translate research outputs into products, services and policies that respond to emerging challenges and opportunities.

I invite members of the University community, research partners, industry and other stakeholders to engage with the Directorate as we work together to advance research excellence, nurture innovation and accelerate technology transfer.

**Together, let us turn knowledge into solutions and ideas into impact.**

**Director**
**Directorate of Research, Innovation and Technology Transfer**
**Tom Mboya University**

Dr. Alphonce Juma Odondo

Dr.

About

Who We Are

About

The Directorate of Research, Innovation and Technology Transfer (RIIT) is responsible for coordinating, promoting and supporting research, innovation and technology transfer activities at Tom Mboya University.

The Directorate provides an enabling environment for researchers, innovators and students to generate new knowledge, develop innovative solutions and translate research outputs into products, services, policies and technologies that address societal and industry needs.

RIIT promotes research excellence through capacity building, development of strategic research partnerships, resource mobilisation, support for research projects and dissemination of research findings. The Directorate also supports innovation and entrepreneurship by nurturing ideas and innovations with potential for social and economic impact.

In addition, the Directorate facilitates the identification, protection, management and commercialisation of intellectual property arising from University research and innovation. It works closely with industry, government, research institutions, development partners and other stakeholders to strengthen collaboration and accelerate the uptake and transfer of knowledge and technology.

Through these functions, RIIT contributes to Tom Mboya University's mandate of advancing knowledge, fostering innovation and contributing to sustainable socio-economic development.

Our commitment is to transform research and ideas into knowledge, innovations and solutions that create meaningful impact.

Mandate

The Directorate of Research, Innovation and Technology Transfer (RIIT) is mandated to coordinate, promote, facilitate and monitor research, innovation and technology transfer activities at Tom Mboya University. The Directorate provides strategic leadership and an enabling environment for the generation, application, dissemination and commercialisation of knowledge and innovations for sustainable socio-economic development.

### KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Directorate is responsible for:

Research Coordination and Promotion
Coordinate and promote research activities across the University and facilitate the development of a strong research culture.

Research Capacity Building
Build the capacity of staff and students in research methodologies, grant writing, research management, publication and other emerging areas of research.

Research Funding and Resource Mobilisation
Facilitate access to research grants, funding opportunities and strategic partnerships to support research and innovation activities.

Research Partnerships and Collaboration
Establish and strengthen partnerships with government agencies, industry, research institutions, development partners and other stakeholders to promote collaborative research.

Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Promote innovation and entrepreneurship by identifying, nurturing and supporting innovative ideas, products, services and solutions with potential for social and economic impact.

Technology Transfer and Commercialisation
Facilitate the translation of research findings and innovations into practical applications, products and services, and support their transfer and commercialisation.

Intellectual Property Management
Facilitate the identification, protection, management and commercialisation of intellectual property arising from University research and innovation.

Research Dissemination and Knowledge Management
Promote the dissemination and utilisation of research findings through publications, conferences, seminars, exhibitions and other appropriate platforms.

Research Ethics and Compliance
Coordinate research ethics and compliance processes and promote adherence to applicable laws, regulations, policies and institutional research standards.

Monitoring and Evaluation of Research and Innovation
Monitor and evaluate research and innovation activities, outputs and impact to inform institutional planning and continuous improvement.

Research Visibility and Impact
Enhance the visibility of the University's research and innovation outputs and promote their uptake by industry, government and communities.

Policy Development and Advisory Services
Contribute to the development and review of institutional policies, guidelines and strategies relating to research, innovation, intellectual property and technology transfer.

Support for Researchers and Innovators
Provide technical and administrative support to researchers, innovators and students throughout the research and innovation lifecycle.

Knowledge and Technology Linkages
Facilitate linkages between the University, industry, government and communities to ensure that knowledge and innovations generated within the University respond to real-world challenges and opportunities.

Responsibilities

The Directorate of Research, Innovation and Technology Transfer (RIIT) is responsible for the following specific functions:

#### 1. Research Management and Coordination

Coordinate and oversee research activities across the University.
Facilitate the development and implementation of the University's research agenda and priorities.
Coordinate the preparation, review and implementation of research programmes and projects.
Maintain a database of research projects, researchers, publications, grants and research outputs.
Monitor the progress, quality and impact of research activities.
Facilitate the dissemination and utilisation of research findings.

#### 2. Research Funding and Grants

Identify and disseminate information on local and international research funding opportunities.
Support researchers in developing competitive research proposals and grant applications.
Facilitate the administration and management of externally funded research projects.
Promote resource mobilisation for research and innovation.
Maintain records of research grants and funding received by the University.

#### 3. Research Capacity Development

Organise training, workshops, seminars and mentorship programmes on research.
Strengthen the capacity of academic staff, researchers and students in research methodologies, scientific writing, grant writing and research management.
Promote postgraduate and multidisciplinary research.
Facilitate research networking and knowledge-sharing among researchers.

#### 4. Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Identify, support and nurture innovative ideas generated by staff and students.
Facilitate innovation competitions, exhibitions, hackathons, incubation and entrepreneurship programmes.
Support the development of prototypes and proof-of-concept projects.
Promote the transformation of research findings and innovative ideas into viable products and services.
Facilitate linkages between innovators and potential investors, industry and other partners.

#### 5. Intellectual Property Management

Identify intellectual property arising from University research and innovation.
Facilitate the protection and registration of intellectual property, including patents, utility models, trademarks, copyrights and other applicable forms of protection.
Maintain records of the University's intellectual property portfolio.
Provide guidance to researchers and innovators on intellectual property rights and ownership.
Facilitate intellectual property valuation, licensing and commercialisation.

#### 6. Technology Transfer and Commercialisation

Identify research outputs and innovations with potential for technology transfer and commercialisation.
Facilitate the transfer of University technologies, innovations and knowledge to industry and other users.
Develop and maintain linkages with industry, government, private sector and other technology users.
Support licensing, technology adoption and commercialisation of viable University innovations.
Monitor the uptake and impact of transferred technologies.

#### 7. Research Collaboration and Partnerships

Develop and coordinate strategic research partnerships and collaborations.
Facilitate linkages with universities, research institutions, government agencies, industry and development partners.
Support joint research projects, collaborative publications and knowledge exchange programmes.
Coordinate research-related agreements and partnerships in collaboration with relevant University offices.

#### 8. Research Ethics and Compliance

Facilitate compliance with applicable research laws, regulations, policies and ethical standards.
Coordinate research ethics review and approval processes through the appropriate institutional structures.
Promote responsible conduct of research and good research practices.
Monitor compliance with research-related requirements, including intellectual property, data protection, biosafety and other applicable standards.

#### 9. Research Dissemination and Visibility

Coordinate research conferences, exhibitions, seminars, public lectures and other dissemination activities.
Promote publication and dissemination of research findings through appropriate scholarly and professional platforms.
Enhance the visibility of the University's research, innovations and intellectual property.
Support the preparation of research reports, newsletters, briefs and other research communication materials.

#### 10. Research Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

Monitor research and innovation performance against institutional targets.
Collect, analyse and report research, innovation and technology transfer data.
Prepare periodic reports on research activities, outputs, funding, innovations and impact.
Maintain appropriate records and documentation for research and innovation activities.
Support institutional research performance reviews and continuous improvement.

#### 11. Policy and Strategic Planning

Develop, review and implement policies, guidelines, procedures and strategies relating to research, innovation, intellectual property and technology transfer.
Provide technical advice to University management on research and innovation matters.
Support the integration of research and innovation priorities into the University's strategic plans.
Ensure alignment of University research and innovation activities with national and international priorities.

#### 12. Stakeholder Engagement and Knowledge Exchange

Facilitate engagement between researchers, innovators, industry, government, communities and other stakeholders.
Promote the application of University-generated knowledge to address societal challenges.
Establish platforms for sharing research findings, innovations and expertise with external stakeholders.
Facilitate community and industry uptake of relevant research outputs and innovations.

#### 13. Research Administration and Support

Provide administrative and technical support to researchers and innovators.
Coordinate research-related correspondence, approvals, documentation and reporting.
Maintain an up-to-date repository of research and innovation information and outputs.
Provide information and guidance on research procedures, funding opportunities, partnerships and innovation support services.

#### 14. Promotion of a Research and Innovation Culture

Promote a culture of research excellence, creativity, innovation and knowledge sharing across the University.
Encourage staff and students to participate in research and innovation activities.
Recognise and showcase outstanding research and innovation achievements.
Promote interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approaches to research and innovation.

Partnerships

Collaborations & Projects

Collaborations

coming soon

Research Projects

coming soon

Capacity Building

Seminars, Conferences & Training

Seminars

555

Conference Themes

555

Training

555

Support

Research Support & Commitments

Research Support

555

Institutional Commitments

555