Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) has partnered with Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) to develop Covid-19 vaccine, among other undertakings.
Kemri Director General Prof Yeri Kombe said they will work with innovative minds at the University to help in their journey to develop a Covid-19 vaccine.
He said they started the journey months ago, and with the inclusion of more great minds, expect to have their own prototype vaccine by the end of this month.
Prof. Kombe said the university has made great strides in the development of Covid-19 innovations like hand sanitisers, face masks, contact tracing machines among others and that they would be instrumental in helping in their cause.
He was speaking during the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two institutions on possible areas of partnership at the JKUAT today.
“Kemri and JKUAT have been involved in various innovations during the Covid-19 pandemic. We want to work together to intermarry whatever innovations that we have to come up with something big, like the vaccine,” he said.
The University’s Vice Chancellor Prof Victoria Ngumi said that the collaboration will see the university’s health, pure and applied sciences and engineering students venture into serious research that could culminate into generation of solutions to address today’s challenges.
She said there would be more partnerships in future to help students grow and make them competitive. JKUAT doctoral students will also benefit from training and mentorship in areas of research.
“The deal will position the university as a top research institution. Students will also learn a great deal from Kemri researchers,” she said.
The two institutions also agreed to work on grant proposals, source for funding and do major research work together. “We hope to jointly ask for funding from outside for all the projects we hope to pursue together. This will happen even better when we join hands,” added Kombe.
By Muoki Charles
