We are pleased to have hosted a JICA/NACOSTI-MUST Biotechnology Workshop at our Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre in our Main Campus. This bio-systems workshop brings together professionals from around the world to share research findings and discuss matters related to science, technology and innovation.

Dr. Eunice Marete, Ag. Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration, Finance and Planning) during the opening ceremony, cited the University’s commitment to providing rich learning experiences such as the JICA/NACOSTI-MUST Workshop, in support of science, technology and innovation.

“Providing quality education and training is our main focus as a University. The building we are in today (The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre) is a testament to our commitment as an Institution. This Centre has and continues to house ideas that will revolutionize science, technology, innovation and research. Our students get to work on their innovative ideas, shadowed by professionals for guidance and equipped with space, knowledge and technology to build the idea to fruition. We nurture our students to care about the Environment and be global citizens committed to furnishing the world with lasting solutions to the challenges faced. Biotechnology has demonstrated its position as a leader and driving force in the changing dynamics of the life science marketplace. I urge us all as stakeholders to be committed to research and technology to contribute to the world of academia.” Dr. Eunice Marete Ag. Deputy Vice-Chancellor (A,F&P)

For more information on our MUST programmes: https://www.must.ac.ke/schools-departments-and-programmes/

Dr. Eric Mworia, a lecturer at Meru University of Science and Technology deemed this a timely event with Kenya and other parts of the world currently focusing on agriculture, nutrition and food security. “The workshop brings together researchers and young scientists from different institutions around the world to discuss matters bio-systems which will help institutions, communities and countries foster new and improved mechanisms in science, technology and agriculture.” Dr. Mworia stated during a press briefing.

The objective is to work with different institutions from different parts of the world. These collaborations are platforms for research and discussions on food security, health, education systems and other significant components of the economy.

Prof. Simon Thuranira, Ag. Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Student Affairs) thanked all stakeholders for their commitment to research and challenged the Universities present to focus on student and staff exchange programmes. While officiating the closing ceremony, Prof. Thuranira emphasized on the importance of research in our world, referring to the transformational effects it creates within needy societies. He referred to a research presented by Dr. Rebecca Ebere of Meru University of Science and Technology on Diabetes Melitus sighting it as crucial information that touches the lives of ordinary people around the world. The Ag. Deputy Vice-Chancellor (ASA) challenged learning institutions to take up collaborative research ventures.

Below is a list of the variety of presentations made:

S/No.	Topic	Presenter
1.	Ethylene dependent and independent fruit ripening: involvement of low temperature exposure	Prof. Yasutaka Kubo
2.	The rising cases of diabetes mellitus in rural Kenya: the role of diet and associated risk factor	Dr. Rebecca Ebere
3.	Large-scale genome and transcriptome analyses for sweet potato breeding	Dr. Yuki Monden
4.	Milestones towards development of photonic based crop and medical diagnostic techniques	Daniel Maitethia
5.	Nondestructive detection of inner disorders in peach fruit using an acoustic vibration method	Dr. Takashi Kawai
6.	Diagnosing plant diseases using convolutional neural networks	Amos Chege
7.	Effects of selected ureolytic bacteria on physico-chemical properties of limestone calcined clay cement	Dr. Joseph Mwiti
8.	Flagella glycan-mediated interaction between plants and phytopathogenic bacteria pseudomonas syringae	Dr. Yuki Ichinose
9.	Biocontrol of alternaria solani & phytophthora infestans causative agents of early blight and late blight respectively in tomatoes	Esther Waithera
10.	Plants distinctively control green leaf volatiles and jasmonate pathways but some pathogens spike the plans	Dr. Cynthia Mugo
11.	The diversity in profiles of nutritional and bioactive compounds of baobab pulp from specific regions of Kenya and Sudan	Prof. Willis Owino
12.	Green Gold: Polishing crude Miraa to a shiny green gold	Dr. Joshua Arimi

The MUST Family welcomes you to join us this September! Here is how to apply: https://www.must.ac.ke/schools-departments-and-programmes/