The Research and External Affairs Division is at the forefront of Kenya-AIST’s vision to be a lead in pioneer research. Led by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and External Affairs), the Division provides the leadership and support necessary to foster a vibrant research ecosystem while strengthening collaborations with industry, government, academia, and international partners.
The Division comprises two key directorates:
Directorate of Research
Directorate of Industrial Academic Collaborations and International Relations
Together, these directorates drive the Institute’s efforts to generate impactful research, promote innovation, and translate research into solutions that address national and global challenges.
The Office of Research Affairs (ORA) is at the heart of Kenya-AIST’s mission to advance world-class research, innovation, and academic excellence. The ORA provides the institutional support necessary to ensure that all research activities are conducted efficiently and in line with international best practices.
Research facilities at Kenya-AIST are housed across departmental laboratories and faculty-managed workshops. In addition, specialized shared equipment is available in centrally managed facilities.
The ORA oversees research and innovation management across the Institute, providing support for intellectual property protection in collaboration with the Industry–Academic Collaboration (IAC) Office.
The Industry–Academic Collaboration (IAC) Office is a strategic unit at Kenya-AIST designed to strengthen partnerships between the Institute and industry. Its mission is to foster collaborative research that drives innovation, generates knowledge, and leads to commercially viable solutions.
The IAC Office coordinates research exchanges, facilitates strategic linkages, and manages partnerships that maximize impact of Kenya-AIST’s research outputs. Working closely with the ORA, the Office ensures that all innovations are protected and that intellectual property rights are appropriately secured.
