Education CS Ezekiel Machogu has challenged universities to work closely with government ministries and industry to commercialise innovations into valuable products and services.
Speaking during the launch of the 7th Nairobi Innovation Week at the University of Nairobi on Wednesday, Machogu said universities have the legal framework and facilities to “incubate and commercialise” innovations through start-ups.
“As we are all aware, technology and innovations have transformed lives throughout the world, in the last few years,” Machogu said.
He pointed out that sectors such as education, health, agriculture, commerce, transport, banking and communication have experienced major changes that have been largely propelled by technology and innovations.
The CS said the role of universities in innovations is to provide practical solutions to the problems facing society.
"I am happy to note that the University of Nairobi has taken the lead by creating a pathway through which research findings can be channelled to the end users," the CS added.
The Nairobi Innovation Week will bring the innovators and the users of the innovation close.
The event has a reputation for bringing the ecosystem players including potential partners and funders together.
The institutions are expected to champion the drive to income generation through patents and knowledge-based enterprises.
"We look forward to the universities working with government ministries, industry and practitioners to commercialize these innovations into valuable products and services," Machogu added.
The host, University of Nairobi Vice Chancellor Stephen Kiama, asked the government to allocate massive resources to research and innovation.
He said universities and the government need to “develop a generation of critical thinkers.”
“Kenyans are innovative people but what are learning institutions and government doing about it? That is the area we must put emphasis on,” he stated.
Also present at the opening of the three-day event were Higher Education and Research Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala, Chancellor University of Nairobi Vijoo Rattansi and Luka Alinovi, the Chairman AFLAZERO Technology and Italian ambassador to Kenya Roberto Natali.
