The 8th edition of Nairobi Innovation Week has kicked off in earnest.
Speaking during the launch, Education Cabinet Secretary, Ezekiel Machogu, noted that, The Nairobi Innovation Week affirms the University of Nairobi as a key creator of knowledge.
He was speaking at the historic Taifa Hall, Main Campus, on May 8, 2024 to a gathering of academia, industry and government officials who attended the event to witness key innovations being showcased at the premier institution of higher learning.
"We continue to urge all the other universities to increase Innovation. Innovation is a catalyst of the Government ICT programs. The Government will upscale innovations that are focused on increasing agriculture output, support affordable housing, medium and small business enterprises and the digital superhighway," he said.
The Education CS pledged that all universities will come together and host a bigger innovation discourse led by Kenya Innovation Agency.
On her part, the Cabinet Secretary for Trade and Industry, Rebecca Miano observed that Nairobi Innovation Week plays an important role in the bigger picture globally and is aligned with the Government's agenda of increasing manufacturing, therefore increasing exports and decreasing imports. Kenya's innovation ecosystem was ranked 8/28 in the sub-Saharan Africa.
University of Nairobi Vice Chancellor, Prof. Stephen Kiama said that the challenge now is to build an innovation ecosystem within the university and to stay relevant. The innovation ecosystem can only be built by having close partnership and collaboration with Industry and Government.
Abdi Mohammed, ABSA Bank CEO, one of of the event sponsors, projected that within the next few years, as a bank, they will be able to support over 1 million students and upskilling them in the #ReadyToWork program. The bank has been on a rigorous program of impacting students with industry skills and technology skills that is key in the work place.
