The establishment of Kenya-AIST was aimed at meeting the shortage of highly skilled engineers needed in Kenya and in the region; to drive the country into an industrialized nation. Kenya Vision 2030 states the establishment of Kenya-AIST as one of the major projects in the area of science, engineering, technology, and innovation.
A feasibility study for the establishment of Kenya-AIST was conducted by KAIST-SAMOO Consortium in 2014/2015 with support of the Economic Development and Cooperation Fund (EDCF) of the Korea Eximbank. The study recommended a science, engineering, and technology specialized university to be referred to as the Kenya-AIST, an all-postgraduate research public university located at Konza Technopolis.
Kenya-AIST operates under a strategic governance framework designed to support excellence in teaching, research, and innovation. The Institute is governed through a structured system comprising the Council, Institute Management Board, Senate, School Board, and Departmental Boards, each with clearly defined roles and responsibilities as stipulated in the Institute’s Statutes.
The Institute is led by the Vice-Chancellor, who provides overall strategic leadership and oversight. To effectively deliver its mandate, Kenya-AIST is organized into two key divisions in addition to the Vice Chancellors Office.
Academic and Administrative Affairs (AAA) Division
Research and External Affairs (REA) Division
Each division is headed by a Deputy Vice-Chancellor who is responsible for driving the division’s core mandate. Supporting the two divisions are four directorates, one (1) school, seven (7) academic departments, and seventeen (17) administrative departments, all working collaboratively to advance the Institute’s mission and vision.
Key institutional functions under the Vice Chancellor’s Office are: Legal Services, Quality Assurance, Procurement, and Corporate Communications Unit.
