Research and Development is at the center of generating new knowledge and ensuring its application in creating sustainable solutions to problems facing our society. The current trends in the socio-economic world is a clear prove that new and unique approaches are a necessary requirement in delivering hope. However, Africa as a Continent has lagged behind in productively mainstreaming research and Innovation and in defining its development agenda. Globally it is evident that Science, Technology, Research and Innovation is the only remaining route to freedom from most current problems.

In this vein, Research and Innovation Department has been operational in Nairobi Technical Training Institute as from 30^th January 2018 to actualize the global dream in a customized and responsive way. The department coordinates development of concept and research papers developed for knowledge sharing and innovation. The Institute has participated in many international conferences, among them the Commonwealth Association of Technical Universities and Polytechnics in Africa (CAPA)/ Association of Technical Universities and Polytechnics in Africa (ATUPA) Conference held in Kigali Rwanda in 2019 and the recent Innovation contest at Rift Valley Technical Training Institute (RVTTI) in June 2021 where Nairobi Technical Training Institute took position one.

Among the research papers that have been presented are the following: -

The Future Strategy for the Department

The department has a comprehensive plan of ensuring that Science, Technology, Research and Innovation has been mainstreamed in the teaching and training, with a specific objective of developing a competent workforce for economic development. This shall be made possible by a policy framework that mainstreams and integrates Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) strategies in programmes, projects and service delivery systems. There is a serious focus and intentional effort by the Institute as guided by the Legal framework of the Kenya Government, to encourage all the stakeholders to actively participate in Research and Innovation. All the Research and Innovation work shall be protected as provided for in the law governing protection of intellectual property in Kenya and globally.

OKEMWA OGWOKA

Research and Development  

The following activities are all coordinated from the ILO office:

1. INDUSTRIAL ATTACHMENT AND PERSONAL ACCIDENT INSURANCE COVER
Industrial attachment is compulsory and a vital component in TVET training at all levels. It is intended to provide trainees with an opportunity to acquire and sharpen knowledge, skills and attitudes from a real work environment.
In addition, the trainees are comprehensively insured against any injuries during their training and during their industrial attachment. This is in form of a personal accident cover, which covers them on and off campus.
As part of digitization of processes to improve the efficiency of the ILO Office together with other offices concerned, we have uploaded the following documents on the student portal:
• The industrial attachment sourcing letters for all the courses
• Individual trainees’ insurance certificates

2. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU’S)
The ILO office is also in charge of making collaborations with various organizations in placement of our trainees in industrial attachment and internships. This is done as per the requirements of the different courses offered. In this regard, NTTI has signed several MOU’s with various organizations and we still strive to get several organizations on board.

3. WOMEN IN TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT- (WITED) NTTI CHAPTER
WITED is a movement tailored to encourage female trainees undertaking courses in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in terms of enrolment, retention and successful completion of their training. As a result, WITED NTTI Chapter committee was launched on 7th February 2023 with the Chief Principal as the patron.
The committee members regularly hold meetings with the female trainees to encourage them involve them in innovations and competitions and invite mentors and alumni to talk to them. This includes Automotive Engineering, Electrical & Electronics Engineering, Mechanical & Chemical Engineering, Health Sciences, Applied Sciences and Information Communication Technology (ICT)

4. OUTREACH TO SECONDARY SCHOOLS
The ILO office in conjunction with the NTTI marketing team, Deputy Principal – Academic office, Registrars’ Office and Office of Career Services (OCS) has been going for outreach programmes to the secondary schools around Nairobi and the outskirts. The main objective is to market NTTI on all the courses offered and the requirements.
During the visits, we always take time to talk about WITED to the female students where special emphasis is laid on encouraging them to take Mathematics and Sciences seriously and consider taking up STEM courses in TVET colleges and at the universities.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The library is the Polytechnic’s central learning Resource Centre; it supports teaching, learning and research activities by providing relevant and up to date information materials, in print, non- print and electronic resources in diverse disciplines. Additionally, the library offers user education, Reference services and Readers’ advisory services.

Security in the library is enhanced by use of CCTV cameras that view all areas within and outside the library. The camera images are monitored throughout the day from different locations within the institute.

The library boasts of a conducive and well-ventilated reading area, and a team of highly motivated, friendly and professional library staff.

The library rules, accessed on notice boards, have lately been reviewed to ensure that they comprehensively cover all the sections of the library. The rules are aimed at creating a conducive environment where all users can enjoy the services equitably and should therefore be strictly observed.

OPENING HOURS

Library working hours

Monday to Thursday - 8:15am to 6pm

Friday                        - 8:15am to 4pm

Saturday                    - 8:30am to 2pm

Sunday and public holidays –closed

LIBRARY RESOURCES

The diverse kinds of resources available at the library include;

• A collection of over 7000 books cutting across all disciplines. The books are updated periodically to ensure latest editions are in stock.
• Desktop computers, Internet ports and a strong WIFI for online access.
• Professional Magazines
• Daily Newspapers
• The Institute Library has registered with The Kenya Library Information Consortium (KLISC). Through the consortium, all library users can access a wide collection of resources from different world renown publishers.

To access the KLISC materials, click on the links below, while in the institute.

SUBSCRIBED E-RESOURCES

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE DATABASES USING MYLOFT

OPEN ACCESS

FUTURE DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR THE DEPARTMENT

The future prospects of the department are a bigger reading area that can host over 2000 users with private reading cubicles for confidential work and facilities for binding, photocopying and scanning.

The Games Department carries out its activities under the Dean of Students Office. It performs the role of co-coordinating and supervising all sporting Activities within the Institute. The Institute being a Technical Training Institution carries on Sports activities under KETTISO (Kenya Technical Training Institutes Sports Organization) –under KATTI (Kenya Association of Technical Training Institutions)

The Department prepares Teams/Participants to represent the Institute in KETTISO – Athletics and Ball Games Championships both at Regional and National Level throughout the year. Selection of Teams that represent the Institute is done during the Inter-Departmental Competitions. New trainees are encouraged to join various Games as they interact with other trainees. There are sufficient Sporting facilities including a Swimming Pool where students can relax and keep physically fit as well as cut a career in areas where they are most talented.

The Department has been performing very well in Sports and Games at Regional and National levels. Handball, Volleyball, Rugby, Football, Hockey are played by both men and women except Netball that is played by women only. All games and sports have been performing well at Nationals.

Lately Athletes have been performing exceptionally well that after National competitions, some qualify to join Athletics Kenya for onward training. This has been quite an achievement to both the Institute and the participants.

FUTURE DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR THE DEPARTMENT

• Plans are underway to landscape the field and this will include standard markings of various courts and also inclusion of facilities like washrooms/ changing rooms/ bathrooms.
• Membership/Registration of various disciplines in federations in order to participate in Nation Leagues to improve on the standards of performance of teams and individual talents.
• Hold Annual sponsored tournaments with teams from within and outside the Nairobi Region.
• Coaches to continue being trained in various disciplines through sponsorship of KATTI in both Athletics and Ball Games whenever opportunities arise.