MKU Vice Chancellor Prof. Deogratius Jaganyi presents travel documents to students who are going to Germany for international exposure through the Africa Meets Bavaria Project./HANDOUT
Three university students have been selected to represent Kenya in a prestigious two-and-a-half-month innovation exchange programme in Munich, Germany.
The fully funded initiative is part of the “Africa Meets Bavaria” programme by the Digital Product School by UnternehmerTUM, Germany’s leading center for innovation and business creation.
The students, Joy Watiti, Clifford Musyoka, and Mark Kiarie’s, from Mount Kenya University (MKU) selection followed the successful completion of a five-month intensive training that began in December 2024, involving 30 students drawn from various university campuses.
The programme, delivered in partnership with trainers from MKU and the Technical University of Munich, equipped students with cutting-edge skills in design thinking and agile methodologies.
Working in diverse teams of five, the participants assumed various roles and collaboratively developed digital product prototypes, turning innovative ideas into potential startups.
Their hard work culminated in April 2025, marking the end of a transformative journey in entrepreneurship and product development.
All 30 students received certificates from the Technical University of Munich, which were formally presented by Prof. Peter Kirira, the University’s deputy vice-chancellor in charge of Administration, Planning and Institutional Advancement.
The occasion marked a proud moment for both the students and the institution, celebrating the achievements of the programme’s first cohort.
Recognising their achievement, MKU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Deogratius Jaganyi applauded the students for leveraging the university’s Innovation and Incubation Centre to transform entrepreneurial ideas into viable ventures.
In a celebratory gesture, the VC also presented a symbolic flight ticket to the three selected students, who will soon join Germany’s vibrant startup ecosystem.
“This exchange is more than just a learning experience - it’s an opportunity for our students to engage with the global innovation landscape,” said Donatus Njoroge, Head of Innovation, Intellectual Property, and Community Engagement at MKU.
“We’re proud to be one of only two Kenyan institutions participating, alongside partners from Ghana and Ethiopia.”
The initiative is fully supported by the Bavarian State Chancellery, aiming to strengthen innovation and knowledge exchange between African and Bavarian ecosystems.
The current cohort marks the beginning of a long-term partnership, with the next group of participants expected to join later in 2025.
