KARATINA UNIVERSITY HOSTS KENIA TEAM FOR STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT

Karatina University recently hosted a team from the Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA) for a strategic engagement session aimed at strengthening innovation, commercialization, and entrepreneurship within the University. The session was led by Prof. Kellen Kiambati Director Resource Mobilization and was accompanied by Director QA &ISO Dr. Charles Wahogo, Director Research, Innovation amd Extension Prof. Michael Lokuruka among some members of staff to reflect on the institution’s innovation journey and explore opportunities for growth. Participants engaged in a structured self-evaluation using the Entrepreneurial Institution Maturity Framework (EIMF), which enabled the University to assess progress and chart the way forward in building an entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The Director Resource Mobilization and International Programmes Prof. Kellen Kiambati addressing the audience during the engagement.

Speaking during the session, the Director Resource Mobilisation and international Programmes, Prof. Kellen Kiambati, reaffirmed the University’s commitment to fostering innovation and research that address real-world challenges. She emphasized that Karatina University seeks to nurture an environment where students and staff can translate knowledge into solutions that contribute to national development and global competitiveness. The other members of the team echoed this commitment, highlighting the importance of aligning the University’s research and academic outputs with industry and societal needs

A section of participants keenly following the discussions during the engagement session with KeNIA at Karatina University.

On other hand the KENIA team leader Mr. Lugwiri , In his opening remarks, highlighted the importance of commitment and intentionality in driving transformation within universities.“The entrepreneurial journey for universities takes time, consistency, and intentionality but once momentum builds, transformation becomes faster and sustainable,” he noted.

The KeNIA team commended Karatina University’s efforts and engaged faculty members in discussions on how to strengthen institutional capacity for innovation and commercialization.

This engagement underscores Karatina University’s determination to position itself as a hub for innovation, research excellence, and entrepreneurial growth.

The Karatina University team poses for a group photo with KeNIA officials after the strategic engagement session.