Health CS Susan Nakhumicha has unveiled plans for the transformation of the Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri) Graduate School into a comprehensive university. She made the announcement today, Tuesday, February 2024 during the official opening of the 14th Kemri Annual Scientific and Health Conference in Nairobi.

The Kemri Graduate School (KGS) currently serves as the academic arm of Kemri, offering specialized postgraduate degrees aligned with the institute’s core mission. Nakhumicha emphasized the pivotal role of KGS in nurturing a skilled workforce equipped with the latest research expertise to address the burgeoning healthcare challenges in the African region.

Acknowledging Kemri’s significant contribution to capacity building for emerging researchers, Nakhumicha confirmed that she has formally petitioned Education CS Ezekiel Machogu for the elevation of KGS to university status.

“Kemri has been providing post-graduate courses, especially for researchers and scientists in those areas, and so we are working towards the university to be recognized and now go full blown in terms of providing those post-graduate courses,” stated Nakhumicha.

Furthermore, she reaffirmed the imminent launch of Kemri University, underscoring the institution’s commitment to fostering a conducive environment for aspiring scientists to pursue advanced studies in health research and innovation.

Since its establishment in 2003, KGS has been instrumental in enhancing local and international research capacity through its Master’s, Doctoral, and Postdoctoral programs in diverse fields such as Biomedical Sciences, Public Health, Epidemiology, and Medicinal Chemistry. Notably, KGS has enrolled over 1,700 students across various academic levels, contributing significantly to the advancement of health research in Kenya.