Universities in Kenya critical to innovations and commercialization

A team from the Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA) led by their Chief Executive Officer Dr Tonny Omwansa visited Egerton University on 5 and 6 April 2021 to review the institution’s commercialization and technology transfer efforts.

“Institutions of higher learning are core of KeNIA’s work and the aim of our visit is to engage individual universities such as Egerton and research centres to deeply understand the commercialization capabilities, systems and processes within their institutions,” said Dr Omwansa during a courtesy call to the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Isaac Kibwage at the Main Campus in Njoro.

“We are doing this through the Institutional Commercialization Support Program. This Program is two years old and we picked universities because their research focus is in innovations and commercialization. In light of this, our aim to link their research outputs/centres to investors to promote commercialization,” added Dr Omwansa.

The Vice-Chancellor Prof. Kibwage in his remarks said that the University was open to sharing ideas in innovations and commercialization adding that the Division of Research and Extension is the focal point for sharing knowledge on innovations and commercialization. Prof. Kibwage added that the University has an Intellectual Property policy that addresses issues on commercializing innovations and making them available to the public.

 The acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Extension) Prof. Bockline Bebe reiterated the VC’s comments adding that the Division will invite stakeholders dealing with research innovations to jumpstart enhanced commercialization process.

KeNIA selected Egerton University for the Program due to its geographic location, institutional history, and innovations that are addressing one of the Big Four Agenda of Food and Nutrition Security.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs) Prof. Bernard Aduda noted that with KeNIA’s support, more innovations from the University will be known to the public and available in the market.

Prof. Richard Mulwa the acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Administration Planning and Development thanked KeNIA for prioritising Egerton University as one of the institutions in the Institutional Commercialization Support Program.

The acting Director Research and Extension Prof. Nancy Mungai and the Director of Marketing & Resource Mobilization and Director, Agro-science Park Prof. Paul Kimurto are at the forefront of the Program on behalf of Egerton University. In his remarks during the courtesy call, Prof. Kimurto said the Program was an opportunity to showcase what the University was doing.

The team led by Prof. Mungai proceeded for presentations and an exhibition at the Division of R&E. On day one of the event Prof. Mungai gave a presentation on the Overview of Commercialization, Innovation and Entrepreneurship ecosystem at Egerton University. Dr Omwansa the KeNIA CEO gave a presentation on an overview of KeNIA.

There were also presentations on agricultural and engineering innovations moderated by Prof. Daudi Nyaanga and Dr John Nduka. These included Sorghum Innovations by Prof. Erick Cheruiyot, Food Science Innovations by Prof. Mary Omwamba, Student Enterprises by Prof. Patience Mshenga, Agricultural Mechanisation Innovations by Dr Musa Njue, Energy Innovations by Prof. Daudi Nyaanga, and Queen Bee Technology by Mr Joel Masobo.

In day 2, there were presentations on Science Innovations moderated by Prof. Mary Omwamba. These were Food Safety Innovations by Prof. Meshack Obonyo, Botanicals for One Health Innovations by Prof. Josphat Matasyoh, Energy Innovations by Dr Winfred Mulwa, Animal & Food Health Innovations by Prof. Charles Muleke.

The team toured the Faculty of Engineering, CoELIB Centre’s Computer Systems for Livestock Management, Chemistry and Physics Laboratories, the SAF-Lab and Agro-Science Park.