Improving UoN’s PhD Programme
Last week’s workshop on “Enhancing Doctoral Research and Grant Funding” held on 3-6 February 2026 provided a dynamic space for the critical evaluation of the PhD programme at the University of Nairobi.
Save for a brief opening ceremony, the organisers dedicated a full day to interrogating the University’s PhD education programme. Students, supervisors, faculty deans and directors engaged in animated, but structured discussions to highlight the pain points and opportunities for improvement.
The sessions were highly interactive, encouraging candid questions, cross-level dialogue, and active engagement. Some of the issues raised by the participants, both students and faculty, had no clear-cut answers, highlighting the need for ongoing conversations and reflection. This approach will ensure that the PhD programme continues evolving in response to real student, supervisor, and leadership experiences. However, participants agreed that a robust policy framework would go a long way in tackling many of the grey areas identified during the discussions.
Innovation versus Knowledge Creation
A lively debate emerged around how researchers can become innovators. While recognizing that not everyone was wired for entrepreneurship, participants explored how to balance research for knowledge creation and research for societal impact. Potential innovators were encouraged to seek support from the Intellectual Property Management Office.
Demystifying Grant Writing
Facilitators emphasized that nothing comes easy in grant writing; success requires strategic planning, persistence, and attention to detail. Prof. Daniel Olago took participants through frameworks like “The Call, The Grant Writing Process, and Proposal Submission”, reinforcing that diligence and preparation were key to securing funding.
Integrity, Diversity, and Global Engagement
The workshop reaffirmed that UoN’s global research ambitions rest on ethical compliance, integrity, and inclusion. The discussions emphasised creating policies and support systems for gender equity in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths). Ethical conduct and adherence to national and international standards were presented as non-negotiable pillars of research excellence.
Looking Ahead
By the end of the four days, the University’s PhD candidates and the broader research community had gained not just skills, but also strategic insight into navigating the research landscape. UoN is strengthening its internal pipeline through mentorship, ICT support, and external collaborations like Erasmus+ and Intra-Africa mobility grants.
The research workshop demonstrates the University’s commitment to a research culture that is ethically sound, innovation-driven, and globally recognized.