Kibabii University hosted a workshop on research commercialization and institutional support. The event, held on Tuesday 3rd September 2024, was facilitated by Dr. Tonny K. Omwansa, CEO of the Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA). The workshop was attended by Kibabii University faculty and staff led by the Vice Chancellor Prof. Isaac Ipara Odeo, Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Planning, Research, and Innovation) Prof. Joshua Abuya, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration, Finance, and Development) Prof. Donald Siamba, and the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic and Student Affairs) Prof. John Makokha.
The workshop, designed to strengthen the capacity of both management and staff, focused on transforming research findings into practical solutions that address societal needs. Additionally, it aimed to generate income for both the university and its researchers.
In his opening remarks, the Vice Chancellor emphasized the importance of research within the University, urging staff to prioritize their efforts in this area. He highlighted the need for Kibabii University to evolve into an entrepreneurial institution, where research not only contributes to academic knowledge but also drives innovation and economic growth.
Building on this, Prof. Joshua Abuya stressed the necessity of translating research from theory into practical, solution-oriented outcomes. He pointed out that to truly support the University’s budget and long-term sustainability, research must be monetized.
“We need concerted efforts to transition our research from theory to practice,” Prof. Abuya remarked, highlighting the crucial link between academic research and real-world impact.
During the event, the Lead Facilitator Dr. Omwansa discussed the role of entrepreneurial universities and the importance of building strong university-industry linkages. He challenged the University to be bold in its approach, leveraging industry networks and actively participating in conferences and expos alongside like-minded researchers and entrepreneurs.
Another facilitator Dr. Kenny Karanja from Minnesota State University, USA, provided further insights into how universities can successfully run technology transfer offices. His presentation highlighted best practices for managing these offices effectively, which is essential for universities seeking to commercialize their research outputs.
Kibabii University is currently engaged in efforts to upscale its research and innovation mandate. According to Dr. Manase Echaune, the Acting Director of Research and Innovation, the University is currently incubating several innovative projects at various stages of development. These efforts are supported by existing policies, including the Intellectual Property Policy, the Research and Consultancy Policy (currently under review), and the Community Outreach and Extension Policy.
Among the developments highlighted during the workshop were the Kibabii University Innovation Hub, established through the AHEAD project funded by the European Union, and the Venture for Change (V4C) program, which has seen participation from four cohorts of students since 2021. This program is sponsored by Making More Health and Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, with 15 university students currently involved. Additionally, the university is working on optimizing the sugarcane supply chain through sustainable bagasse dryer solutions, a project supported by Innovate UK | UKRI – United Kingdom Research and Innovation.
Several innovations are also ready for filing, including EcoQuant, which aims to revolutionize carbon management with real-time data, an automated irrigation system for smallholder farmers in arid regions of Kenya, and the Bagasse Dryer Utility Model for sustainable sugarcane waste management.
