Prof. George Owuor Appointed Director Of Research At Egerton University

Egerton University has appointed Professor George Owuor as the new Director of Research and Extension following a competitive selection process. Prof. Owuor brings with him a wealth of experience in academia, research, and leadership, positioning him as a key figure in advancing the University’s research agenda.

A Distinguished Career in Research and Agribusiness

Prof. Owuor is an accomplished academic and researcher with a PhD in Agribusiness Management, obtained through the DAAD-German Academic Exchange Programme between Kiel University in Germany and Egerton University. His expertise spans impact assessment, rural agricultural finance, enterprise development, and land use management. He has been instrumental in collaborative research and consultancy projects with prestigious institutions such as the World Bank, European Union, USAID, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), and International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI).

Prof. Owuor currently serves as the Center Leader of the World Bank-funded African Center of Excellence in Sustainable Agriculture and Agribusiness Management (CESAAM) and was the former Director of Income-Generating Units at Egerton University. He was also the Managing Director of Egerton University Investment Company from 2017 to 2021, where he spearheaded the turnaround of the company’s financial and operational performance. Under his leadership, the company not only recovered from financial difficulties but also transitioned to a clean audit status, demonstrating strong financial accountability.

Beyond his administrative roles, Prof. Owuor has played a pivotal role in postgraduate supervision, having successfully guided PhD and Masters students. His contributions to academia are further highlighted by his authorship of over 70 publications in national and international journals. Additionally, he has served as an external examiner for universities across Africa, including Copperbelt University in Zambia and the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa.

Steering Research and Innovation at Egerton University

As the Director of Research and Extension, Prof. Owuor will be responsible for steering research, innovation, and the commercialization of intellectual property at Egerton University. His key duties will include developing and formulating research-related policies to enhance academic and scientific excellence. He will coordinate the sourcing and disbursement of research funds to support groundbreaking studies while overseeing research dissemination through seminars, workshops, symposia, and conferences. In addition, he will document research activities, innovations, and intellectual properties and enhance extension and outreach activities to bridge the gap between research and practical applications. His role will also include preparing statutory reports on Science, Technology, and Innovations.

A Vision for the Future

Prof. Owuor’s vast experience in governance, leadership, and research collaboration will be instrumental in positioning Egerton University as a premier research institution. His leadership at CESAAM has already contributed to capacity building for over 240 Master’s and PhD students, as well as fostering partnerships with institutions across Africa, Europe, and the USA. With his proven track record of strategic leadership and research excellence, the Egerton University community looks forward to his contributions in driving innovation and fostering a strong research culture. We wish Prof. George Owuor great success in his new role and look forward to witnessing the positive impact of his leadership on research and extension at the university.

By Agnes Mwangi

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