The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Henry Mutembei, presided over the awarding of scholarships under the Food Systems Resilience Project (FSRP) at Semara Hotel in Machakos. The event marked a significant milestone in Kenya’s efforts to strengthen food security through advanced research and innovation. A total of 228 new scholars received full sponsorships under this World Bank–supported initiative.
The FSRP, implemented by the Government of Kenya in partnership with the World Bank, aims to enhance the resilience of food systems against climate shocks. It supports postgraduate training, research, and capacity building in climate-smart agriculture, sustainable production systems, and policy development. The project seeks to nurture a new generation of scientists and professionals equipped to address Kenya’s food and nutrition challenges.
This year’s scholarships were awarded as follows: 59 new PhD students, 28 continuing PhD students, 90 new MSc students, 46 continuing MSc students, 4 new MBA students, and 1 continuing MBA student. Notably, 46 of these full scholarships were awarded to scholars from Chuka University, positioning the institution among the leading beneficiaries nationwide. Each scholarship covers full tuition, a monthly stipend, research grants, and sponsorship for conferences, publications, and travel.
Professor Mutembei serves as the Chair of the FSRP Concept Development Team, as well as the Technical Chairman of the Training Selection Committee and the Monitoring and Evaluation Team overseeing scholars’ progress. His previous leadership in managing 176 scholars under the Kenya Climate-Smart Agriculture Project (KCSAP) provided a strong foundation for this new phase of academic support. The current FSRP scholars are drawn from all 47 counties of Kenya, having been selected purely on merit through a rigorous national process.
In his remarks, Professor Mutembei commended the Government of Kenya, under the leadership of His Excellency the President, for its continued investment in youth development and research capacity. He noted that the scholarship program reflects a forward-looking vision for national development through science, innovation, and higher education. He reaffirmed Chuka University’s commitment to building a strong research culture and transforming the institution into a premier hub for advanced studies and innovation in the region.
Chuka University is …… Inspiring Environmental Sustainability for Better Life
