Collaborations and Partnership

  1. Consortium for National Research for Health (CNHR). Collaboration with the CNHR started in 2010 following the signing of a collaboration agreement. The agreement provides for collaboration in the promotion of research for health, jointly organizing activities that enhance public awareness in research, science, technology and innovation. Two workshops have been organized under the theme “Research to policy” in 2011 and 2012. Through the collaboration, Draft Guidelines have been developed for the use and care of animals in research.
  2. African Resource and Environment Management Satellite constellation (ARMS) initiative. In recognition of the importance of space science and technology in the socio- economic development, Kenya was invited by the countries of South Africa, Nigeria and Algeria to form a consortium-the ARMS Initiative. The main objective of the Initiative is to establish African Satellite Management Constellation for monitoring management of African resources and environment. The Initiative will design, construct and launch a set of satellites for Africa because most of the current satellites in space do not collect earth observation data on Africa on a continuous basis. The Initiative will also ensure that Africa collects earth observation data on a continuous basis for various applications including food security, early warning and disaster management. The Governments of Algeria, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa have agreed in principal to work together in “The ARMS Initiative” towards the launch and operation of a Low Earth Orbiting Satellite.
  3. The Africa  Regional  Cooperative  Agreement  for  Research  Development  and Training  related to  Nuclear  Science  and  Technology  (AFRA). AFRA is an intergovernmental Agreement established by African Member States to strengthen and enlarge the contribution of nuclear science and technology for socio-economic development. The main objective of AFRA is to enable all AFRA member statesto derive maximum benefit from their participation in this cooperative arrangement by directing the AFRA assistance to address national development objectives in nuclear science and technology.
  4. Comprehensive Nuclear-Test Ban Treaty Organization (CBTO). The Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear –Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) was set up in 1996. Its mandate is to build a verification regime of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) in preparation for the Treaty entry into force as well as promoting the Treaty’s universality. The verification regime involves building of 321 monitoring stations and 16 radionuclide laboratories throughout the world. Kenya signed the CTBT in November 1996 and ratified the same in November, 2000.  Kenya hosts two International Monitoring Stations at Kilimambogo for seismic and at Karura for infrasound. The ratification of the CTBT commits the country from testing any nuclear weapons on its land. NACOSTI which is the focal point of CTBTO activities has signed an MOU with the University of Nairobi to host the National Data Centre for CTBTO. The Centre is situated in the Geology Department. Some MSC students use national data Centre data for their research.
  5. Kenya –DAAD Postgraduate Programme. Kenya is collaborating withGerman Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) to train at least 20 students annually in Germany. The programme which is for capacity building for universities started in 2010/2011 and is expected to take five years. So far the 44 students are enrolled in different universities in Germany
  6. Collaboration with Climate Innovation Centre (CIC). The Commission has initiated a process to develop collaboration with the Climate Innovation Centre (CIC) regarding promotion of technology development, transfer and diffusion in the areas of renewable energy and energy efficiency; water and sanitation; and agribusiness through incubation and training of innovators in entrepreneurship skills. The collaboration also entails joined conferences and innovation Awards.
  7. Partnership with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA). The Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1959 under resolution 1472 (xiv) to review the scope of international Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of the Outer Space and has grown to 79 members making it one of the largest Committees in the United Nations. The Committee plays an important role in the development and implementation of laws relating to the peaceful uses of the outer space and also guides Member States in scientific and technical matters relating to peaceful utilization of the outer space, hence the need for Kenya’s continuous participation in the Committee. The Commission is the focal point for UNOOSA activities in the country.
  8. Partnership with Open Forum of Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB). To enhance a wide range of Biotechnology Awareness  platforms optimise resources at national and county levels
  9. Partnership with the Government Chemist to establish a centre on chemical safety and security dubbed. “The Kenya Project on Chemical safety and security- KPCSS. The project which is based on the initiative of the International Centre of Chemical Safety and Security (ICCSS) in Tarnow, Poland, is the first of its kind in Africa and only the second in the world. It is a unique initiative to provide continuity to the international efforts to provide peaceful use of chemistry and to provide capacity building to Kenya and the region in peaceful research, storage, development, production and safe and secure use of chemicals.
  10. Bio-resources Innovations Network for Eastern Africa Development. The Bio-resources Innovations Network for Eastern Africa Development (Bio-Innovate) Program was established in 2010 to support multi-disciplinary biosciences and product oriented innovation activities in the eastern Africa countries of Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. It comprises of 9 innovation and one policy consortia projects with 57 partnering and collaborating institutions drawn from the six countries and outside the region. Bio-Innovate Program mainly builds on previous investments, achievements, and experiences from the Eastern Africa Regional Program and Research Network for Biotechnology, Biosafety and Biotechnology Policy Development (BIO-EARN). It emphasizes on improved crop productivity and resilience to climate change & increased efficiency in value addition to local bio-resources in a sustainable manner http://bioinnovate-africa.org. The policy project, Biosciences Innovation Policy Consortium for eastern Africa (BIPCEA) http://bipceablog.wordpress.com is run by the national Councils of Science and Technology in eastern Africa. It also collaborates with the African Union – NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency (NPCA) in strengthening regional collaboration in science and technology. The program is supported by the governments of the participating countries and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency.