Egerton University engaged with the Kenya National Innovation Agency (KENIA) in a pivotal meeting held at the Vice Chancellor's Office. This is a significant stride towards fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.
The meeting, chaired by Acting Director of Research and Extension, Professor Nancy Mungai, marked a crucial step in strengthening the partnership between the two institutions. Representing KENIA, Ms. Maureen Ochako shared insights and experiences from the agency’s collaborative efforts with Egerton University, emphasizing the impactful initiatives undertaken together.
Ms. Ochako highlighted several key areas where KENIA has supported Egerton University, including the training of Innovation Champions and Technology Transfer Officers. She noted that the university has been instrumental in developing entrepreneurial universities, with Egerton standing out as a prime example. This collaboration has provided the university with the necessary tools and knowledge to foster a robust innovation ecosystem.
Professor Nancy Mungai underscored the significant benefits Egerton University has reaped from its partnership with KENIA. She emphasized the importance of further engaging university researchers in commercialization efforts, a sentiment echoed by Professor Paul Kimurto, an Innovation Champion trained by KENIA. Prof. Kimurto elaborated on the potential pathways for researchers, suggesting that while full-time entrepreneurship might not be feasible for those who attract international funding, participating in enterprise shareholding could be a viable alternative. This approach would allow researchers to continue their academic pursuits while benefiting from the commercial success of their innovations.
“It would not be a good idea for researchers who attract funding from international organizations to completely become entrepreneurs, but they can sell shares to strategic investors,” explained Prof. Kimurto. This strategy ensures that researchers can maintain their focus on groundbreaking research while still contributing to the economic landscape through their innovations.
Ms. Ochako reiterated KENIA’s commitment to supporting universities in becoming entrepreneurial and bringing products to market. She stated that this is a long-term objective for the agency, aiming to create a sustainable environment where academic institutions can thrive as hubs of innovation and commercialization.
The meeting also featured an extensive training session attended by over 20 researchers, graduate students, senior administrative staff in human capital management, academia, and faculties. The training aimed to sensitize participants about university policies, the innovation and incubation environment, and the financial and technical support available for innovators at the university.
During the training, it was revealed that Egerton University is emerging as an entrepreneurial university in several areas. However, it was noted that the university still has room for growth, particularly in developing policies and strategies to support entrepreneurship further. The sessions provided valuable insights into creating a conducive environment for innovation, ensuring that researchers and innovators have access to the resources they need to succeed.
The collaboration between Egerton University and KENIA exemplifies a forward-thinking approach to integrating research, innovation, and entrepreneurship within academic institutions. By fostering a culture of commercialization and providing the necessary support structures, this partnership aims to transform Egerton University into a leading entrepreneurial university in Kenya and beyond.
As the university continues to build on this momentum, the collaboration with KENIA is set to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of innovation and entrepreneurship at Egerton University. This meeting marks the beginning of a new chapter, one where academic excellence and entrepreneurial success go hand in hand, driving the institution towards greater achievements and contributions to the national and global innovation landscape.
Other officers from Kenia were Teddius Maingi, Senior ICT Officer (Kenia), Mike Ouma, Innovation Officer (Kenia). Both were instrumental in facilitating the meeting that generated great insights.
By Kurian Musa and Agnes Mwangi
