Meru University of Science and Technology (MUST) has signed an MoU with the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC).  The MoU will provide a framework within which MUST and APHRC shall collaborate on research matters through faculty exchange, teaching, joint development of funding proposals among many other areas.

The Team from APHRC led by the Executive Director Dr. Joseph Gichuru Wang’ombe was received by our Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Academic and Student Affairs, Prof. Simon Thuranira, on behalf of our Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Romanus Odhiambo.  Other guests from the APHRC Team included Prof. Blessing Mberu, Dr. Innocent K.T., Dr. Caroline Kabaria, Dr. Ivy Chumo, Jackie M. and Dorothy Odera.

In his opening remarks, Prof. Thuranira appreciated the APHRC Team for visiting the University.  He also recognized the pivotal role by Dr. Joy Riungu (Director, Sanitation Research Institute and MUST Researcher of the Year Award 2023 Inaugural winner) of creating the linkage between MUST and APHRC. Dr. Wang’ombe, the Executive Director of APHRC, expressed appreciation to the University for its excellence in research and pledged to collaborate on this journey with MUST.  

The Team also visited the Sanitation Research Institute (SRI) at the University. This dedicated institute conducts research, innovates solutions, and implements sustainable sanitation practices to tackle the sanitation crisis effectively.  One of SRI’s most successful projects is the use of non-sewer technology to manage waste through conversion into valuable end-products such as organic fertilizer and animal feed using the Black Soldier Fly.  The Team also visited the community where Urine Diverting Toilets (UDT) toilets have been installed by SRI. These innovative toilets offer a safer and more sustainable sanitation solution compared to traditional pit latrines. The urine-diverting feature helps separate waste, allowing for the effective treatment of fecal sludge and urine.

About APHRC

The African Population and Health Research Center is a premier research-to-policy institution, generating evidence, strengthening research and related capacity in the African research and development ecosystem, and engaging policy to inform action on health and development.  Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, and with a West Africa Regional Office (WARO) in Dakar, Senegal, the APHRC teams orient their research agendas according to global and continental development priorities, driven by the belief that Africa and African-generated evidence must be at the forefront of decisions supporting improved growth and development.