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June 29, 2024KEMRI’s Milestone:The Institute goes through a successful External Peer Review Process.
The Chairman of the KEMRI Board of Directors, Dr. Abdullahi Ali pose for a group photograph together with the External Peer Review Team led by their Chair Prof. Joseph Odhiambo and Staff of KEMRI at Institute's headquarters, Nairobi during the week long exercise.
In a landmark exercise underscoring its role as a premier health research institution in Africa, KEMRI last week underwent a successful and rigorous External Peer Review Process that was led by a team of eminent Professors and personalities in research and academia.
Chaired by the esteemed former Vice Chancellor of Strathmore University, Prof. Joseph Odhiambo, the review panel comprised prominent independent scholars and experts from diverse fields. Among them were Prof. Marcel Tanner, President of the Swiss Academy of Sciences; Prof. Dorothy Mbori-Ngacha, retired UNICEF Director; Dr. Thomas Egwang, Director of Med Biotech Laboratories, Kampala, Uganda; Prof. Pontiano Kaleebu, Director of Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI); and Prof. Anne Muigai, Deputy Vice Chancellor of National Defense University-Kenya (NDU-K).
Leading the Institute delegation was Dr. Abdullahi Ali, Chairman of the KEMRI Board of Directors, accompanied by Dr. Martin Bundi, representing Ag. Director General Prof. Elijah Songok. The technical team was spearheaded by Ag. Director of Research and Development, Prof. Nelly Mugo, who also hosted the peer review exercise. Key participants included Dr. Luna Kamau, Ag. Deputy Director of the Center for Biotechnology and Research Development (CBRD); Mr. Edwin Bett, Ag. Director of Strategy and Compliance; Mr. Ben Sifuna, Deputy Director of Human Resource Management; and Dr. Zipporah Bukania, Ag. Deputy Director of the Center for Public Health Research (CPHR), Research Scientist, Dr. Sophie Uyoga alongside other distinguished scientists.
Dr. Ali expressed gratitude for the invaluable feedback received, affirming, “We are honored to have such distinguished experts review our work. Your insights will guide us as an Institute, as we strive for excellence in research to impact public health outcomes”.
Throughout the review, the panel meticulously evaluated KEMRI’s research management, staff capacities, professional standards, and operational processes. They acknowledged the institute’s significant achievements in upholding standards, integrity, and the profound impact of its research contributions to scientific progress and public health.
Central to the assessment were discussions on the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability of KEMRI’s current mandates and objectives. The findings promise to enhance the institute’s governance, operations, and research outcomes, ensuring alignment with global scientific rigor and accuracy standards.
The peer review process facilitated robust dialogue between KEMRI’s management, staff, and the review team. Department heads delivered presentations showcasing their departments’ achievements, fostering a dynamic exchange aimed at advancing the Institute’s mission.
The insights and recommendations gleaned from the review are poised to chart a strategic course for KEMRI’s future. They will play a pivotal role in shaping the institute’s trajectory, reinforcing its commitment to pioneering scientific discovery and advancing public health globally.
As Institute continues its journey as a beacon of scientific excellence, this peer review stands as a testament to its unwavering dedication to research integrity, innovation, and the pursuit of better health outcomes for all.
