Biophysical Society Bulletin | September 2022

Public Affairs

University Funding an Impediment to Research and Development in Kenya Emerging issues including, but not limited to, a cash crunch, the COVID-19 pandemic, and a lack of political support, in addition to other factors affecting individuals and institutions, have greatly impeded national funding to research institutions and universities. There are 102 public universities and cam puses in Kenya. Also, there are eleven research institutions in Kenya, which include: Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEM RI), KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kenya Agri cultural and Livestock Research Organisation, Kenya Forestry Research Institute, Kenya Industrial Research Institute, Kenya Veterinary Vaccines Production Institute, Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, National Crime Research Centre, National Museums of Kenya, Tegemeo Institute of Agricultural Policy and Development, and Tourism Research Institute. The Universities Fund, which is managed by a Board of Trustees called the Universities Funding Board (UFB), was established under section 53 of the Universities Act (2012), purposely for financing Universities in the Republic of Kenya. Additionally, UFB advises the cabinet secretary on matters of university education financing and develops fair and transparent criteria for allocation of funds to universities. It has been reported that in 2018–2020, the levels of government funding to public universities were 66.4%, 60.7%, and 53.7%, respective ly, which falls below the required 80% government funding level. (https:/ufb.go.ke/). In the 2021/2022 financial year, the government cut the universities budget by 26%, which further hurt the already ailing institutions. Private universities that receive government-sponsored students have not been spared either under the student-based capitation funding. Declining government funding to public universities has resulted in unprecedented working conditions for staff due to pay cuts, lack of job security, increased workload, and/or delayed pay that have threatened university education and research. The reduced morale in teaching and research among the academic staff has led to low productivity in research. In order to remain afloat, individual universities have embraced cost-cutting measures which include, but are not limited to, university structural and governance reforms in order to remain solvent. On research funding, the Kenyan government has been allocating US$4,000,000 since 2008. This constant figure is currently low due to the current worldwide economic situation. Increased cost of research materials and equip ment makes the cost of research expensive. Members of the National Assembly can authorize funding through the Budget and Appropriations Committee and during deliberations of the Budget Proposal in Parliament. Also, the university managers, administrators, and staff unions should be engaged at forma tive stages where lobbying for higher budgetary allocation to universities and research can be achieved. Universities have

intensified applications for international research grants in order to raise funds to support research at their universi ties. Such measures have ensured that universities in Kenya remain competitive globally. In conclusion, countries that anchor their development agenda on research outputs will be successful. Such coun tries invest heavily in universities and research institutions. Therefore, it is important for the international community to strive for collaboration with universities in areas of biophys ics, physics, biology, engineering, medicine, and technology. Additionally, incentivizing research will spur researchers to invest more time, knowledge, and resources in research. Col laboration with researchers from Kenya and other countries in Africa on international research will serve as an initiative for

mentorship and will result in quality research. — Philip Amuyunzu Mang’are , BPS Ambassador

PicoBalance on DriveAFM Unparalleled sub-picogram mass measurements

New publication in Nat Commun: DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30781-y

nanosurf.com/picobalance

September 2022

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