Participants pose for a group photo during the opening of the two-day Grant Writing Workshop at the Kenya School of Government (KSG), Baringo Campus.
Kabarnet University College has commenced a two-day Grant Writing Workshop at the Kenya School of Government (KSG), Baringo Campus, bringing together members of the University Council, Senior Management and Faculty to strengthen institutional capacity in competitive grant writing, research, innovation and resource mobilization.
The workshop aims to equip participants with practical knowledge and skills in identifying funding opportunities, developing competitive research proposals and managing funded research projects that contribute to national development and address societal challenges.
The event was officially opened by the Chairperson of the Kabarnet University College Council, Prof. Benson Estambale, following welcoming remarks by the Kenya School of Government Baringo Campus Director, Dr. Wesley Kiprop and the Principal of Kabarnet University College, Prof. Daniel Chebutuk Rotich.
Welcoming the participants, Dr. Kiprop reaffirmed the Kenya School of Government’s commitment to building partnerships that strengthen institutional capacity and promote research and innovation.
“It is our pleasure to host Kabarnet University College for this important capacity-building programme. Research and innovation are critical drivers of sustainable development and partnerships between institutions such as ours provide a platform for knowledge exchange, skills development and collaborative solutions to emerging societal challenges. We look forward to strengthening our collaboration with Kabarnet University College in areas of mutual interest,” said Dr. Kiprop.
The Kenya School of Government Baringo Campus Director, Dr. Wesley Kiprop, delivers his welcoming remarks during the opening of the Grant Writing Workshop.
In his keynote address, Prof. Estambale underscored the strategic importance of research in driving innovation, generating knowledge and creating lasting value for society. He reaffirmed the University Council’s commitment to supporting initiatives that strengthen the institution’s research capacity and position the University College to attract competitive research funding.
“Research is one of the most valuable investments any university can make because it generates knowledge that transforms society. As the University Council, we are committed to supporting initiatives that strengthen research capacity, promote innovation and create lasting value for our communities through impactful research and successful resource mobilization,” said Prof. Estambale.
The Chairperson of the Kabarnet University College Council, Prof. Benson Estambale, delivers the keynote address during the opening of the Grant Writing Workshop.
Earlier, while welcoming participants to the workshop, Prof. Rotich described the training as timely, noting that universities are increasingly evaluated by the quality of their research, the strength of their partnerships and their ability to secure competitive research funding. He observed that Kabarnet University College is intentionally investing in building a vibrant research culture where academic staff are equipped to transform innovative ideas into impactful and fundable projects.
“This workshop marks an important milestone in our journey towards building a strong research culture at Kabarnet University College. We are deliberately investing in the capacity of our academic staff to develop competitive proposals, secure research funding and generate knowledge that addresses local and global challenges. The partnerships we continue to build will be instrumental in positioning the University College as a centre of excellence in research, innovation and community impact,” said Prof. Rotich.
The Principal of Kabarnet University College, Prof. Daniel Chebutuk Rotich, welcomes participants to the Grant Writing Workshop at the Kenya School of Government, Baringo Campus.
On the sidelines of the workshop, Prof. Estambale, accompanied by Prof. Rotich, paid a courtesy call to Dr. Kiprop. The meeting explored opportunities for collaboration between Kabarnet University College and the Kenya School of Government in research, innovation, capacity building and resource mobilization.
The technical sessions, facilitated by Prof. C. J. Odhiambo and Dr. Fred Okaka, focused on the principles of competitive grant writing and proposal development. Participants were taken through the grant funding cycle, including identifying research problems, aligning research ideas with donor priorities, developing competitive proposals, navigating peer review processes and implementing funded projects.
The facilitators also highlighted the essential elements of successful grant proposals, emphasizing the importance of identifying clear research gaps, developing SMART research objectives, demonstrating innovation and significance and designing scientifically sound methodologies. Participants were encouraged to develop research ideas that address real societal challenges while producing evidence that informs policy, advances knowledge and contributes to sustainable development.
Through interactive discussions and group activities, participants are refining research ideas within their respective disciplines and learning how to transform them into competitive proposals that meet national and international funding requirements.
The workshop reflects Kabarnet University College’s commitment to strengthening its research culture, enhancing academic excellence and building the capacity of its researchers to successfully compete for external funding. By investing in grant writing skills, the University College continues to position itself as an emerging centre of excellence in research, innovation and community engagement.
The workshop continues tomorrow with practical sessions on proposal development, budgeting and strategies for writing successful grant applications.