A major milestone is underway at Kenya Highlands University as the proposed Highlands Institute of Research, Development, and Innovation (HIRDI) moves closer to realization. This week, the Board of the Institute paid a courtesy call to our Vice Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Kiplangat, to share updates on how the institute will be operationalized following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) some years back.
The journey towards establishing the research institute began in 2019, driven by the vision to make research and innovation a central pillar of academic excellence at KHU. During the meeting, Prof. Kiplangat lauded the team’s dedication and urged them to fast-track the next steps to ensure the institute is up and running soon.
As part of the visit, the board members toured a building identified for renovation, which is expected to house the institute’s operations. This is a key step toward providing a dedicated space for research and innovation activities within the university.
Once established, the institute will play a critical role in boosting scholarly research, community development, fostering innovation, and supporting sustainable development — not only within the university but also across the broader academic and professional community.
The excitement around this development reflects KHU’s growing commitment to research excellence and thought leadership in addressing real-world challenges.