JOOUST Hands Over State of the Art Miandhe Research Campus
Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) today marked a significant milestone in strengthening its research and innovation agenda with the formal handover of the Miandhe Research Campus Project.
The newly completed facility features state-of-the-art research laboratories and a fully-fledged conference facility, providing the University with enhanced capacity to undertake high-level research, innovation and knowledge-sharing activities.
The handing-over ceremony brought together members of the University Council, University Management Board, University Senate and the Project Implementation Committee, alongside representatives of the project contractor, Dannaf Contractors.
Speaking during the formal declaration of the project's completion, JOOUST Vice Chancellor Prof. Emily A. Akuno said the facility represents a major investment in the University's research capacity and will significantly enhance its ability to undertake impactful scientific research.
Prof. Akuno highlighted the high-end research equipment donated by the Government of Belgium, noting that the equipment will support the establishment of a world-class Soil Laboratory capable of undertaking advanced soil analysis and supporting research in agriculture, environmental science and related fields.
“The facility has significantly increased the University's research capacity and provides our scholars with an enabling environment to undertake cutting-edge research and innovation,” Prof. Akuno noted.
The Vice Chancellor expressed appreciation to the National Government for funding the Research and Conference Facility, as well as the Project Implementation Committee for overseeing and supervising the construction process.
She further called for collaboration between the National and County Governments to ensure that the newly established infrastructure and assets are properly managed, maintained and protected to guarantee their long-term use and sustainability.
Prof. Akuno also appealed to the Government to consider improving the access roads to the facility, noting that reliable road infrastructure would enhance accessibility and support the effective utilization of the research campus.
Also speaking during the ceremony, the Chairperson of the University Council Finance Committee, Dr. Willis Omwoyo, challenged the University to capitalize on the new facility by investing more strategically in research, innovation and knowledge-based enterprises as it pursues its ambition of becoming a world-class university.
Dr. Omwoyo urged University scholars to embrace innovation and explore opportunities to generate income from research, intellectual property and innovative solutions.
“This facility should enable our scholars to innovate, with the University providing the necessary support and environment to transform ideas into solutions,” he said.
The Miandhe Research Campus is expected to provide a platform for researchers, scholars, students and partners to undertake collaborative research, host conferences and disseminate knowledge while contributing to solutions to local, national and global challenges.
The successful completion and handover of the facility marks another important step in JOOUST's commitment to advancing research, innovation and sustainable development through world-class infrastructure and strategic partnerships.
