TU-K has received accreditation for its Institutional Scientific and Ethics Review Committee (TUK-ISERC) by the National Commission for Science, Technology, and Innovation (NACOSTI).
The accreditation officially authorises TUK-ISERC to independently review, approve and monitor research involving human participants in line with national regulatory standards. It marks the culmination of a planned three-year effort by the University to establish a credible, transparent, and robust ethics review mechanism.
To achieve the required standards, members of the committee underwent comprehensive training facilitated by the Kenya Medical Research Institute - Scientific and Ethics Review Unit (KEMRI-SERU). This was subsequently followed by an extensive assessment and evaluation undertaken by NACOSTI, together with sustained mentorship and capacity‑building support provided by KEMRI.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and Technology Development, Prof Alfred Orina Isaac noted that the accreditation represents a key milestone in strengthening TU‑K’s research governance framework. “Beyond regulatory compliance, the recognition affirms the institution’s commitment to safeguarding the rights, dignity and welfare of research participants while upholding the highest ethical and scientific standards.”
He explained that “The operationalisation of TUK‑ISERC is anticipated to enhance the efficiency of ethical review processes for researchers within the University and its partner institutions. It is expected to improve accountability, support responsible innovation, and enhance public trust in research conducted under the University’s mandate.”
Researchers affiliated to TU-K and partner institutions can now submit their research protocols to TUK-ISERC for scientific and ethical review in accordance with national guidelines and applicable regulatory frameworks. Submission guidelines, application forms, and standard operating procedures are available on the University’s official ISERC webpage: https://www.tukenya.ac.ke/iserc/
The University expressed appreciation to NACOSTI and KEMRI-SERU for their invaluable guidance and support throughout the accreditation journey, noting that the achievement underscores TU-K’s dedication to advancing research excellence and aligning with national and global best practices.
