Prof. Robert Gateru

Prof. Robert Gateru is a distinguished academic and accomplished leader in the field of engineering and applied sciences. He holds a PhD in Microelectronic Engineering and Semiconductor Device Physics from the University of Surrey (UK), a Master’s degree in the same field from the University of Cambridge (UK), and a Bachelor of Science in Physics (First Class Honours) from the University of Nairobi. With over a decade of experience in teaching and academic administration across various universities, Prof. Gateru has demonstrated exceptional leadership in higher education.

He serves on several boards, including the Rural Electrification Authority, LIWA (Linking Industry with Academia) Kenya Trust, and the Rift Valley Institute of Science and Technology. He is a Fellow of the Cambridge Commonwealth Society and a Senior Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the world’s largest technical professional association. Additionally, he is a Founding Member of the Physics Society of Kenya, where he serves on the Executive Committee. His contributions to academia extend to editorial work with the International Journal of Professional Practice and leadership roles in numerous conference steering committees.

Prof. Gateru is the recipient of several prestigious awards, including the Distinguished Scholar Award by the ICT Association of Kenya, the Africa HR Leadership Award for Outstanding Contribution to Training and Development, and recognition among Kenya’s Top 40 Under 40 Men (2012) by Business Daily. He has secured significant research funding, notably a KES 46 million grant from the World Bank, through the Government of Kenya, for the establishment of the Kenya Centre of Excellence for BPO Training. His scholarly work includes numerous publications in international journals and presentations at global conferences.

Prior to joining Riara University, Prof. Gateru served as Principal of the Nairobi Campus at Kenya Methodist University (KeMU) from 2010. He also held key academic leadership roles at KeMU, including Founding Dean and Associate Professor in the Faculty of Computing and Informatics, as well as Head of Department. Earlier in his career, he was the Founding Dean of the School of Science, Engineering and Technology at Kabarak University, where he also served as Head of Department for Computing, Mathematics, and Physical Sciences.

He has won numerous grants, most notably a KES 46 Million grant from the World Bank through the Government of Kenya for the establishment of the Kenya Centre of Excellence for BPO Training. He has published widely in international journals and presented in conferences across the world.

Prof. Gateru joined Riara University from Kenya Methodist University (KeMU) where he was the Principal of the Nairobi Campus, a position he has held from 2010. He has also worked as founding Dean and Associate Professor in KeMU’s Faculty of Computing and Informatics as well as Head of Department for the same institution. Prof. Gateru has previously served as the Founding Dean of the School of Science, Engineering and Technology at the Kabarak University where he also served as Head of Department for Computing, Mathematics and Physical Sciences as a Senior Lecturer.