In a bid to boost the culture of innovation, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) from 13th to 14th February, 2025, conducted the inaugural Innovation Championships themed, ‘Incubate, Innovate, and Transform our World’. The championships, which saw the launch of Science Park Innovation Academy, brought together innovators, researchers, policy-makers, and industry players, to witness MMUST’s cutting-edge innovations, as well as to support the University in this new initiative. The two-day event was organized by the Directorate of Science Park Innovation and Incubation Centre (SPIIC), led by Dr. Tecla Sum, and was graced by Mr. Fredrick Otswong’o, a Patent Agent at the Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI).
Speaking during the event, Mr. Otswong’o, who is also MMUST’s Intellectual Property (IP) Consultant, commended MMUST for its impressive progress in IP registration. He revealed that out of the sixty (60) IP applications filed by the University, fourteen (14) of them have successfully been registered. He reaffirmed KIPI’s commitment to ensuring that all pending applications are processed and encouraged researchers to actively seek IP protection to enhance commercialization. “MMUST Science Park Innovation Academy will enable researchers and innovators to translate their knowledge into market-ready products and services,” said Mr. Otswong’o.
The Chief Guest, Mr. Fredrick Otswong’o hands over the instruments of the innovation academy to the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Solomon Shibairo.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Solomon Shibairo, applauded Dr. Sum for her efforts in initiating the Innovation Championships, and the Innovation Academy, assuring her of the University’s full support in sustaining and expanding the project. He underscored the University’s role beyond producing graduates, stressing the need to nurture critical thinkers, innovators, and changemakers who can drive societal transformation. “Over the last few years, our research portfolio has grown greatly, with scholars attracting a tremendous amount of research funds. This is a very unique initiative that will build MMUST’s research capacity and increase external research funding,” stated Prof. Shibairo.
“The Science Park Innovation Academy is designed to ignite cross-sectional innovation by bringing together individuals of all ages including students, researchers, entrepreneurs, and the industry, to collaborate, incubate ideas, and innovate solutions that address the pressing challenges of our time,” pointed out the Ag. Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Planning Research and Innovation, Prof. Kennedy Bota. He further highlighted the Division’s remarkable achievements, including a notable increase in IP registrations.
The Director-SPIIC, Dr. Tecla Sum gives her remarks at the official opening ceremony of the event.
“The Academy will help to nurture creativity, research, and entrepreneurial thinking by providing a structured platform for students, staff, and industry partners to develop, refine, and commercialize innovative ideas,” noted Dr. Sum. Additionally, she reiterated that the Academy will not only serve the MMUST community but will also be utilized by primary and secondary school innovators. “We want to strengthen intellectual property development, industry linkages, and real-world application of our research and innovation, while driving economic growth and societal transformation,” she added.
The Principal Bomet University College, Prof. Charles Mutai, who was also a keynote speaker at the event, encouraged researchers and innovators to share their ideas and learn from each other. “Great ideas can come from anyone. I urge you to take advantage of the Academy to network, for innovation is key to our development as a country,” advised MMUST’s immediate former Deputy Vice Chancellor, Planning Research and Innovation.
The Principal Bomet University College, Prof. Charles Mutai at the event.
Similarly, Prof. Maurice Vincent Omolo, while giving his keynote address, emphasized the aspect of monetization saying that innovations must be valuable, and should provide benefits to the user. Quoting Albert Einstein, Prof. Omolo encouraged the participants to think outside the box. “Imagination is more important than knowledge, for knowledge is limited to all we know and understand.” He went on to state that anyone can become an innovator as the research space is open to everyone regardless of their field of study.
Notably, the innovation championships were divided into four groups namely; skill-based category, pitching competitions, hackathon challenges, and exhibitions. The participants comprised primary and secondary school learners, MMUST students and staff, as well as members of the community. Throughout the exercise, they were assessed by evaluators and the winners in each category were awarded various prizes during the closing ceremony.
The Ag. Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Planning, Research and Innovation), Prof. Kennedy Bota, presents an award to one of the winning teams.
Guests present at the event included the Principal- Turkana University College, Prof. George Chemining’wa; Dr. Eliud Musotsi (National Research Fund Representative); Stephen Situma (NACOSTI representative); Ziri Issa (Swahilipot Hub), Eng. Zablon Okenge (KENHA), Prof. Benson Ojwang’ (Kaimosi Friends University) and a representative from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA). The event was also attended by Directors and Deans of Different sections in the University.
The inaugural Innovation Championships and the subsequent launch of the Science Park Innovation Academy is indeed a great move for the University. The Academy will serve as a hub for creativity, learning, and transformation, empowering participants to turn their ideas into impactful realities. This will not only increase MMUST’s innovation output to the society, but also improve its overall ranking.
By Caren Nekesa and Wangari Wambugu
Photos by Shiundu Masafu
