The Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) is taking strategic steps to establish its own specialized graduate school, inspired by the success of the KEMRI Graduate School (KGS). This new initiative aims to bolster research capacity in the marine and fisheries sectors.
KMFRI’s Director of Training and Capacity Building, Dr. Victoria Tarus, recently led a benchmarking visit to KEMRI to explore its graduate school model and gather insights on best practices. The visit provided KMFRI with a detailed understanding of KGS’s academic programs, short courses, and other key initiatives driving the success of the KGS.
Dr. Tarus and her delegation were warmly received by Ag. Director of Research and Capacity Building, Dr. Martin Bundi, who shared the institution’s journey, from its establishment to its current academic offerings. Programme Coordinator for Global Health, Epidemiology, and Biostatistics and who also doubles up as the Ag. Deputy Director of the Public Health and Health Research Programme at KEMRI, Dr. Rose Bosire, provided further insights into the school’s academic structure and its collaboration with Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), which co-delivers postgraduate programs.
The visit also highlighted KEMRI’s embrace of digital transformation in education. Brian Orwa, an Information Scientist from the Training Programs Department, showcased the school’s eLearning platform, emphasizing how it has streamlined the learning process and made educational materials more accessible to students.
KMFRI aims to leverage its state-of-the-art facilities and align its training with the institute’s core mandate in marine and fisheries research. The benchmarking visit also touched on potential challenges and collaborative opportunities that could arise, especially in areas where marine research intersects with public health.
Dr. Bundi encouraged KMFRI to explore joint initiatives with KEMRI in both research and capacity building. He emphasized the importance of collaboration between institutions, noting that cross-disciplinary research can lead to greater innovation and impact.
Dr. Tarus expressed her gratitude to the KEMRI team for their openness and guidance, stating, “The insights we have gained here will play a crucial role in shaping our graduate school. We look forward to continued collaboration with KEMRI as we move toward enhancing research and training in the marine and fisheries sectors.”
KMFRI’s efforts to establish its graduate school represent a significant move to advance knowledge, foster innovation, and build research capacity, further contributing to Kenya’s broader scientific and educational landscape.
