UoN to disseminate Research Data using Local Languages

The University of Nairobi Women’s Economic Empowerment Hub (WEE Hub) signed a collaborative agreement with the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) to disseminate research data through 15 local  channels that broadcast in 15 local languages on Monday, May 9, 2022. 

In her remarks, Prof Wanjiku Kabira, WEE hub leader, stated that WEE Hub generates a lot of data from both ongoing and already done projects that they would like to share with Kenyans. This data will enable the empowerment of the people in the local areas. This empowerment will trigger interaction between the people and the local policy makers which then leads to change.

She stated that since KBC has a large viewership this partnership will enable the dissemination of this data by researchers from the University to the local residents easy and fast.

The KBC Ag.  Managing Director, Samuel Maina noted that Information is power. He emphasized, ‘Having resource persons from the University package and pass research data in local languages is such a powerful breakthrough.” He cited that, at one time or the other, we all think through our mother tongues and understand concepts better.

In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor Prof. Stephen Kiama welcomed the collaboration reminiscing that KBC was once the Voice of Kenya and it remains a trusted source of information; that, coupled with research data from the University, the society will be impacted.

The Vice Chancellor also applauded the efforts of WEE hub and pledged his support. He noted that the hub is working on research, which is the core mandate of the University. He highlighted, ‘We are seeing the fruits of women empowerment. Recently, the University was highly ranked in research and most top researchers are women. We also awarded more women for outstanding academic performance during the Prize Presentation Ceremony that the University held last week. ‘

On her part, The Associate Vice Chancellor Research, Innovation and Enterprise, Prof. Margaret Hutchinson noted that empowering the woman, is empowering the society. She applauded the research that WEE hub is engaged in and the impact that the research results will have on women in society.

The Programme Officer, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Ms Jessie, was in agreement with the sentiments that were raised in the meeting. “I am proud of how the University has included women, when you design for the woman, you have designed for everyone.”

Also present during the meeting were Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Science Prof. Ephraim Wahome, Director, Intellectual Property Management Office, Prof. Mary Kinoti and Associate Dean Faculty of Law Prof Collins Odote.