| About Napreca |
| Member Countries |
| Publications |
| Scholarships |
| Notices |
| Join Us! |
| Photo Gallery |
NAPRECA (K) SECRETARY’S REPORT FOR 2005/06
Thank you very much for electing me to serve you as Secretary of NAPRECA (K) in the elections held on 4th April 2005 and your support since then. This annual report provides a review of NAPRECA (K) activities since we were elected. The executive members of NAPRECA (K) are as follows.
NAPRECA (K) Chairman: indiege@icipe.org ; indiege@yahoo.com
NAPRECA (K) Vice Chairman: jjondiko@yahoo.com
NAPRECA (K) Secretary: johnonyari@yahoo.com or jonyari@uonbi.ac.ke
NAPRECA (K) Vice Secretary: mndungu@jkuat.ac.ke
NAPRECA (K) Treasurer: tezakenga@yahoo.co.uk
NAPRECA (K) Vice Treasurer: pkirira@yahoo.com
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Dr. Matasyoh (Egerton University) matasyoh2001@yahoo.com
Dr. Omolo (WUST) momolo@icipe.org
11TH NAPRECA SYMPOSIUM:
The 11th NAPRECA Symposium was held in Antananarive, Madagascar in August 2005 and our chapter was represented by the Chairman of NAPRECA (K) Prof. Ndiege, and several other members attended the meeting as highlighted in the Chairman’s report. The next NAPRECA symposium will be held in DRC next year.
MEMBERS RECRUITMENT:
The Executive Committee strengthened its efforts to recruit more members by the representatives of various Institutions in the Committee and also reviewing the membership fees for various categories. In the coming year we will concentrate these efforts to research institutes and the private sector. The current membership rates are:
Regular/Associate Member: Kshs 1,000.00
Postgradute Student Member: Kshs 300.00
Undergraduate Student member: Kshs 100.00
According to our constitution “Associate membership” is open to graduate students and to research staff engaged in natural products projects. Whereas the current NAPRECA (K) constitution states that Corporate Membership “shall be accorded to organizations which have substantial financial contribution towards the work of NAPRECA (K),” the membership fee/financial contribution is not provided and therefore we invite contributions from our members as to what fee/contribution would be appropriate for small, medium and large Organizations. There is also provision for “Honorary membership” which can be accorded to “any individual promoting the interest in Natural Products Research in Kenya.” Members suggestions on what appropriate fee should be charged for “Life membership” that may be accorded to full members willing to pay a lump-sum in advance to NAPRECA (K). The Kshs 1500 stated in the current constitution is low and probably needs to be revised. As motivation to join NAPRECA (K) various strategies were explored during the past year to encourage membership to our society and suggestions from members are welcome.
NAPRECA MEETINGS
During the period under review several NAPRECA (K) Committee meetings were held to deliberate on various issues pertinent to our society.
27th May 2005 (Venue: University of Nairobi Handing over Ceremony)
2nd September 2005 (Venue: Kenyatta University)
16th December 2005 (Venue: University of Nairobi)
24th February 2006 (Venue: University of Nairobi)
24th March 2006 (Venue: University of Nairobi)
28th April 2006 (Venue: University of Nairobi)
The Seminar and AGM was scheduled to be held at JKUAT on 5th May 2006 but due to unavoidable circumstances (financial considerations etc) the meeting was postponed to 7th July 2006.
NAPRECA (K) HOMEPAGE AND NEWSLETTER:
NAPRECA (K) members were requested to provide detailed information on their research activities, interests and personal profiles for incorporation in the NAPRECA (K) website to be launched. Only a few members have responded so far, but we managed to proceed on with the limited information available. If you have not yet submitted information, please contact the Secretary (jonyari@uonbi.ac.ke or johnonyari@yahoo.com ). The Homepage has standard navigation tools. The NAPRECA (K) Homepage will have a link to main NAPRECA website.
The Executive Committee plans to start a NAPRECA (K) Newsletter. The members were requested to submit their contributions (Short Articles, Conference/Up-coming events, Scholarships, Research Grants, New trends in Natural Products etc) of interest to NAPRECA (K) readership. The first issue is expected to be out by the end of 2006. The newsletter will have advertising space that we hope will generate additional income for NAPRECA (K). We welcome any suggestions and contributions to realize these targets (Homepage and Newsletter).
RESEARCH FACILITIES: STATUS OF NMR
The NAPRECA (K) Executive Committee continued its efforts to monitor the progress made by the Chairman of the Department of Chemistry. The anticipated cost of repairing the 200 MHz NMR is about Kshs 3 million (1US$ = 74.00) and the maintenance cost about 700,000/= per year. NAPRECA (K) Committee will continue its efforts to approach different donors for funding for the operational cost (NMR tubes, solvents, liquid nitrogen and helium) of the NMR, once the equipment is repaired for the benefit of NAPRECA members who heavily rely on this instrument in their research endeavors. NAPRECA (K) Committee will continue to liase with the Chairman of the Department of Chemistry and NAPRECA headquarters regarding this matter.
NEW STRATEGIES:
NAPRECA (K) Executive Committee explored various strategies to meet its objectives and improve its operations for the benefit of all its members. The following sub-Committees were proposed and some initiated. The description of the duties and responsibilities of each sub-Committee to be provided by NAPRECA (K) Secretariat.
COLLABORATIVE PROJECTS (SUB-COMMITTEE):
During the past year, the NAPRECA (K) Executive Committee appointed a Sub-Committee on Collaborative Projects. The Sub-Committee members are Prof. Jondiko, Dr. Mary Ndungu and Mr. Kirira. NAPRECA (K) members are welcome to join the sub-Committee and give any suggestions on various sources (crosscutting research opportunities) of funding. The sub-Committee will also develop policies leading towards utilization and proper exploitation of natural products and strategies for optimal resource mobilization through creation of multi-disciplinary groups (topic or group of topics of mutual interest). It is our hope that such efforts will facilitate thematic programming efforts and promote multidisciplinary cooperation. Commercialization of some natural products developed through such efforts (commercial exploitation of research findings) and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR’s) issues to be addressed by NAPRECA Executive Committee.
STRATEGIC PLAN (SUB-COMMITTEE):
Formation of a Strategic Plan (Sub-Committee) to identify priority areas, ensure that emerging National and Millennium goals are adequately addressed, so that NAPRECA (K) provides leadership in Natural products research in the country. The Strategic plan should respond to changing needs, emerging areas of interest and strategies of realization of different objectives. NAPRECA (K) Committee and members to provide TOR.
RECRUITMENT & FUND-RAISING (SUB-COMMITTEE):
To explore different strategies for increasing enrolment of members. NAPRECA (K) Committee and members to provide TOR.
ANNUAL CONFERENCES, SUMMER SCHOOL AND WORKSHOPS
During the coming year, NAPRECA (K) plans to organize a Summer School/Workshop and also start holding an annual Conference for NAPRECA (K) members. It is our sincere hope that with the support of all NAPRECA (K) members we should be able to meet our goals in the coming year.
J M Onyari
Dr. John M. Onyari
NAPRECA (K) SECRETARY