Directorate of Research, Innovation & Outreach
October 23, 2025 2025-12-05 6:10Directorate of Research, Innovation & Outreach
DR. VICTOR SHIKUKU
DIRECTOR,DRIO
Welcome to the Directorate of Research, Innovation and Outreach (DRIO) at Kaimosi Friends University (KAFU) — the hub of scholarly excellence, creativity, and community engagement.
At KAFU, we view research and innovation not merely as academic pursuits, but as transformative tools for societal advancement. Through DRIO, the University fosters a dynamic research culture that inspires discovery, nurtures young researchers, and translates scientific knowledge into real-world impact. Our strategic focus is to build a strong ecosystem that supports multidisciplinary research, technology transfer, and partnerships that address national and global development challenges.
The Directorate coordinates research funding, grant applications, capacity building, intellectual property management, and outreach initiatives that connect the University with government, industry, and community partners. We encourage our staff and students to pursue curiosity-driven and problem-oriented research that contributes to the University’s strategic plan, Kenya’s Vision 2030, the African Union’s Agenda 2063, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
As we move forward, DRIO remains dedicated to promoting a culture of integrity, creativity, and excellence in research. We welcome partners, innovators, and collaborators to join us in shaping solutions for a sustainable future.
- Enhance Research Excellence: To foster a vibrant research culture through capacity building, mentorship, and the establishment of multidisciplinary research teams that address emerging scientific and societal challenges.
- Promote Innovation and Technology Transfer: To support the development, protection, and commercialization of innovative ideas, products, and technologies generated within the University.
- Mobilize Research Funding: To attract and manage internal and external research grants through partnerships with government agencies, industry, and international collaborators.
Strengthen Community - Outreach and Engagement: To bridge academic research with societal needs through community-based programs, policy engagement, and extension services that enhance livelihoods and environmental sustainability.
- Facilitate Research Dissemination and Visibility: To promote publication of research outputs in peer-reviewed journals, organize scientific conferences, and enhance the global visibility of KAFU’s research achievements.
- Uphold Research Ethics and Integrity: To ensure all research and outreach activities adhere to ethical standards, safety protocols, and national and international regulatory frameworks.
Credible Journals
Responsible Publishing
Retraction
At Kaimosi Friends University (KAFU), research excellence is built on credibility, integrity, and global visibility. The University encourages all faculty, researchers, and students to publish in peer-reviewed, high-impact, and reputable journals that adhere to recognized standards of scholarly publishing ethics.
The Directorate of Research, Innovation and Outreach (DRIO) provides guidance and capacity building to help researchers identify credible publication outlets and avoid predatory or deceptive publishers that compromise research quality and reputation.
Guidelines for Selecting Credible Journals
- Verify Indexing and Accreditation: Choose journals indexed in reputable databases such as Scopus, Web of Science (WoS), PubMed, Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), COPE, AJOL, and Scimago
- Check Journal Metrics and Publisher Reputation: Review the journal’s impact factor, citation metrics, and the reputation of the publisher. Avoid journals that promise unrealistically rapid publication or charge unclear fees.
- Confirm Editorial Transparency: A credible journal provides clear information about its editorial board, peer-review process, and publication ethics policy.
- Consult the DRIO Office: Researchers are encouraged to seek guidance from the DRIO for journal vetting and verification before manuscript submission.
- Avoid Predatory Publishers: Predatory journals often use aggressive solicitation, lack rigorous peer review, and are not listed in legitimate indexing services.
Check against databases such as Beall’s List (archived) and Cabells Predatory Reports for known predatory outlets.
Support from DRIO
The Directorate maintains a regularly updated list of recommended credible journals across disciplines, verified against national and international benchmarks. The list prioritizes journals that:
- Have ISSN registration and active online presence.
- Follow ethical publishing standards under COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics).
- Enhance the visibility and citation of KAFU’s scholarly outputs.
Our Commitment
KAFU, through DRIO, is committed to fostering a culture of academic rigor, ethical publishing, and global recognition. By promoting credible journals and responsible research dissemination, we strengthen the University’s role as a leader in evidence-based innovation and knowledge generation.
For assistance in verifying a journal’s credibility or accessing the approved list, please contact us.
In pursuit of academic excellence, Kaimosi Friends University (KAFU) places strong emphasis on research integrity, transparency, and accountability in scholarly publishing. As part of this commitment, the University aligns its research governance framework with global best practices that promote ethical conduct and responsible authorship.
Retraction Watch is an independent initiative that tracks and reports on retractions of scientific papers as a means of improving the integrity of the research record. Retractions may occur for various reasons — including honest errors, duplication, plagiarism, data fabrication, or ethical violations — and serve as an essential corrective mechanism in the scientific process.
By engaging with Retraction Watch and similar platforms, KAFU’s research community gains access to valuable information about journal reliability, author accountability, and publishing trends. This awareness helps faculty and students to:
- Recognize warning signs of unreliable publishers or compromised articles.
- Strengthen ethical research practices and data management.
- Uphold the University’s standards of credibility, originality, and transparency in all scholarly outputs.
Accessing the Retraction Watch Database
Researchers are encouraged to regularly consult the Retraction Watch Database — a comprehensive, searchable platform containing details of retracted scientific papers across disciplines. The database helps users verify the credibility of journals, detect patterns of misconduct, and make informed publishing decisions.
Access the database here: https://retractionwatch.com/
Research Projects
Ongoing Projects
Funded Projects
coming soon
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KAFU Conferences
