Strategic Pillars - CERI
Building a vibrant, gender-responsive pipeline of world-class African education researchers.
The Centre for Education Research and Innovation (CERI) is a new national hub established under the Commission for University Education (CUE) to strengthens the capacity of Kenya’s education research ecosystem by developing researchers, supporting institutions, and driving collaborative learning.
CERI Core Mandate
Develop research capacity among early-career, female, and postgraduate researchers.
Strengthen institutional systems that support Research Chairs.
Provide mentorship, networking, and research leadership development.
Build communication and dissemination capacity across the sector.
Mobilize resources and support collaboration across universities.
Functions of CERI
Training & Capacity Development
CERI will train at least 300 researchers through a blended model involving:
- In-person sessions,
- Online learning via the Virtual Learning Academy (VLA),
- Partner-led masterclasses and mentoring,
- Training in proposal writing, research design, grant management, research communication, and advocacy.
Special focus is placed on:
- Women researchers
- Early-career researchers (under 40)
Supervisors - Researchers with disabilities
Institutional Strengthening
CERI supports partner universities to create:
- Research leadership frameworks,
- Structured mentorship systems,
- Protected research time for faculty,
- Internal funding mechanisms &
- Strengthened research culture and gender-responsive practices.
Supporting Research Chairs
CERI functions as a capacity-building arm for the five HERI Research Chairs, ensuring:
- Alignment with national research priorities,
- Postgraduate student support,
- Access to research tools and administrative support &
- Robust collaboration among universities.
Enabling Evidence Use by Policymakers
CERI will enhance evidence use among policymakers by:
- Training ministry and agency officials,
- Hosting annual National Education Research Symposia,
- Creating digital resource hubs for datasets and research tools &
- Supporting knowledge brokerage between researchers and policymakers.
Collaboration, Networks & Learning
CERI will map and leverage existing initiatives and institutions including:
- Kenyan universities,
- Open University of Kenya,
- Mawazo Institute,
- Strathmore University,
- Regional and international partners