30 MMUST Innovation Teams Pitch Solutions to Real-World Challenges at the 2026 Campus Spark Intra-University Competition!
Thirty (30) innovation teams from Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) have participated in the 2026 Campus Spark intra-university competition, a Student Innovation Challenge by Network of Entrepreneurial Leaders Institutions (NEIL). The competition seeks to nurture student-led innovations by transforming promising ideas into practical, scalable solutions that address pressing societal challenges in Agriculture and Food Systems, Health and Wellbeing, Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence, and Climate Action and Green Innovation. Through the Directorate of Science Park, Innovation and Incubation Centre (SPIIC), in collaboration with the MMUST Innovation Academy, the University presented 30 innovation teams to participate in this year’s challenge.
On 29th July, 2026, the teams delivered 10-minute pitches before a panel of judges drawn from academia, industry, and the innovation ecosystem across the country. The innovations were assessed based on the extent to which they address validated user needs, the practicality and feasibility of the proposed solutions, and their potential for sustainability, scalability and long-term impact. The participating teams are now awaiting the judge’s feedback, which will determine their progression to the next stage of the competition. Successful teams will compete with other Universities and thereafter earn an opportunity to participate in structured entrepreneurship training, receive expert mentorship, and showcase their innovations on a national platform.
The Director Science Park Incubation and Innovation Centre (SPIIC), Dr. Tecla Sum explains the MMUST Eco-Friendly Biodegradable Sanitary Pads and Diapers innovation to PS Dr. Beatrice Inyangala at a past event.
The event was graced by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Planning, Research and Innovation), Prof. Christopher Ngacho, who commended the students for embracing innovation as a tool for solving societal challenges. He reaffirmed MMUST’s commitment to creating an enabling environment that empowers young innovators to transform creative ideas into impactful and commercially viable solutions.
Mr. Victor Dinda, coordinating the teams from the MMUST Command Centre during the online pitching sessions.
As part of MMUST’s commitment to strengthening student-led innovations, the Office of the Vice Chancellor has nominated the Director SPIIC, Dr. Tecla Sum, as the University’s Institutional Focal Person to spearhead the implementation and coordination of the Campus Spark initiative through the MMUST Innovation Academy. In support of this initiative, four Coordinators, the Associate Dean SCI- Dr. Collins Odoyo; Dr. Edwin Kanda, Dr. Lucy Kageha and Mr. Victor Dinda, have also been nominated to work alongside the Director in coordinating the initiative.
Prior to the competition, the student innovators underwent intensive mentorship and coaching coordinated by the Directorate of Science Park, Innovation and Incubation Centre. The mentorship team comprised Dr. Tecla Sum; Dr. Collins Odoyo, Dr. Edwin Kanda, Dr. Everlyne Morema; Dr. Dorothy Rambim, Dr. Satwinder Singh Rupra, Dr. Jairus Odawa, Dr. Dorris Tuitoek, Dr. Bore Wilfrida, Mr. Victor Dinda, and the 12 innovation champions drawn from across the eleven Schools.
By Caren Nekesa
Photos by Shiundu Masafu
