The Sigalagala National Polytechnic’s (SNP) Research and Development (R&D) is coordinated by Mr. Jonah Ronoh. The coordinator also serves as the institutional Science, Technology and Innovation Focal Person and the Managing Editor for the SNP Journal of Research and Innovation (JoRI). Mr. Ronoh who trains Mechanical and Automotive Engineering holds a Master of Education Degree in Technology Education (Mechanical & Automotive Technology) from University of Eldoret and a Bachelor of Education in Technology Education (Power Mechanics Technology) from Moi University.

The R&D department has a team of Departmental Research and Innovation Officers (DRIOs) who form the Research and Innovation Committee drawn from the twelve (10) admitting departments and the two (2) campuses all of whom represent expertise in their different fields. The officers serve as the Science, Technology and Innovation Champions for their departments/sections.

The mandate of R&D department among others are:

• Coordinating the research and innovation activities in the Polytechnic.
• Conducting patent searching, drafting and filing of patent applications.
• Organizing research and innovations for participation in fairs, conferences, workshops and collaboration programs.
• Holding consultative meetings with staff and students to sensitize them on research and innovations.
• Ensuring full implementation and compliance with performance contract targets related to research and development.
• Keeping data on researchers and current research and innovations in the Polytechnic.
• Conducting research upon request by the Polytechnic.

Technology and Innovation Support Centre (TISC)

The Polytechnic is privileged to host the Technology and Innovation Support Centre (TISC). The SNP prides itself as being the first TVET institution to host such a program in Kenya. The Centre was established in 2018 through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI).

The TISC is a global program created in 2009 by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to enable innovators in developing countries such Kenya, to better exploit their innovative potential and to create, protect, and manage their intellectual property (IP) rights.

Mr. Fredrick Mmbaha a trainer in Computing & Informatics is the officer in charge of the TISC and serves as the institutional IP Officer

Services Offered by TISC

Among the services rendered by the TISC include:

• Access to online patent and non-patent (scientific and technical) resources and IP-related publications.
• Assistance in searching and retrieving technology information.
• Training in database search.
• On-demand searches (novelty, state-of-the-art and infringement).
• Monitoring technology and competitors.
• Basic information on industrial property laws, management and strategy, and technology commercialization and marketing.

Achievements in R&D

1. Exemplary performance at TVET Innovation and Skills contests at both regional and national levels. Last year we had 3 innovations taking part in national competitions in May 2022 at Meru National Polytechnic. They were from Mechanical, Building and ICT departments. Out of these, 1 emerged position 2 under Civil Engineering category. Additionally, two (2) teams were awarded for excelling in skills contests in fashion and food and beverage areas at Kisumu National Polytechnic in May 2023 during its annual research conference.

2. In the year 2023, thirty two (32) innovations have been developed and provisional patent application filed. Drafting of final applications is ongoing. It is anticipated that we will be granted various Utility Models certificates before the FY year ends. In a bid to continuously build the capacity of the IP committee, three officers underwent training by Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI) in October 2023 in Kisumu.

5. In August 2023, eight (8) teams of innovators represented the institution during the World Skills Kenya National Competitions and Innovation Week at KSTVET. One innovation from ICT department made it to top three after rigorous evaluation involving physical demonstration and pitching for funding.
6. In November 2023, four (4) innovation teams participated in the TVET Conference and Exhibitions at Kenya International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi. The team showcased outstanding innovations to the general public and made sales for the baked products at the event.
7. In December 2022, an innovation team participated in the Kenya Innovation Week at Sarit Centre. An innovation from Mechanical Department emerged the top under Food security category. This saw them awarded Ksh. 500,000 to commercialize their Rongel Pump Innovation. The innovation was among three others that had been entered in various categories.
8. The department also coordinated publication of inaugural SNP Journal of Research and Innovation Vol. 1 ISSN 2706-9834 in 2021 in which peer reviewed research papers that had been presented in the first SNP conference were published.
9. The department is implementing the performance contract with an indicator on Science, Technology and Innovation Mainstreaming. Since its introduction in 2021, the Polytechnic has successfully implemented the indicator with 100% score as guided by the National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI).

At Sigalagala National Polytechnic’s R&D department, we ensure the transfer of skills and competencies gained by our trainees into tangible outputs through applied research, development of innovative products and services and ensure that research outputs by our staff and students are published and disseminated while protecting their intellectual property rights.

Welcome to SNP R&D!