MMUST Hosts Techno-Entrepreneurship Training to Inspire Innovation Among Students
Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) has hosted a two-day Techno-Entrepreneurship training set to inspire innovation among students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). The training themed ‘Converting Problems into Opportunties’ took place on 14th and 15th May, 2026, and was sponsored by Case Western Reserve University. The programme brought together students from different schools within the university, including the School of Natural Sciences (SONAS), the School of Education (SEDU), and the School of Arts and Social Sciences (SASS).
The main facilitator, Zemene Tegegn engages students during the training.
The main facilitator of the training was a Doctoral researcher in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Case Western Reserve University, USA, Zemene Tegegn. He is also a Global STEM and Innovation Leader with over four years of experience in techno-entrepreneurship training. Tegegn, whose research focuses on advanced materials and computational modeling, emphasized the importance of identifying real-life challenges and transforming them into business opportunities through innovation and technology.
“I encouraged you to adopt entrepreneurial mindsets and create practical local solutions in order to positively impact communities. Innovation and technology are the future of world development. My decision to come to Kenya and specifically to Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology was motivated by the University’s strong science programmes and the desire to inspire sustainable innovation among young people,” he stated.
The Chairperson of the Department of Physics and Coordinator MMUST STEM Centre, Dr. Maxwell Mageto (seated centre) at a past event.
The Chairperson of the Department of Physics and Coordinator MMUST STEM Centre, Dr. Maxwell Mageto explained that the MMUST STEM Centre provides computer laboratories for practical activities and virtual experiments for nearby schools and communities. “The MMUST STEM Centre focuses on teaching, research, and community service with the objective of strengthening Science through technology. MMUST aims to become more techno- entrepreneurial and improve innovation among our students and the entire University,” said Dr. Mageto. Additionally, Dr. Mageto revealed that he is working on funding proposals to enable MMUST to support outstanding and workable student ideas.
“The main objective of this training is to assist students understand how to convert problems into opportunities. My team and I have created different types of soap that have attracted quite a number of customers. We look forward to recruiting more members and creating more business,” said Dr. Kamau. She added that the project, which began in January, involves both undergraduate and postgraduate students.
A section of participants keenly follow discussions during the event.
Speaking to the DCCM crew during an interview, one of the students, Alex Wambua, a second-year Electrical and Communication Engineering student, described the training as eye-opening. “I am happy to have been part of this training. As a student and aspiring businessman, the programme has opened my mind regarding venturing into business using the available resources,” he said.
The two-day programme concluded with renewed calls for innovation, sustainability, and entrepreneurship among students, with MMUST expressing its commitment to hosting more workshops aligned with the interests and needs of its students and the wider community. Other notable personalities who attended the training included the Dean SONAS, Dr. Joseph Owino and the Chairperson of the Department of Chemistry, Dr. Bernard Juma.
Certainly, MMUST is on the right trajectory in imparting the requisite entrepreneurial skills to students and impacting the community by providing them with eco-friendly products and solutions.
By Caren Nekesa,Were Sharon, James Nyachoti
Photos by Duncan Mito
