The Vice-Chancellor of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST), Prof. Emily Achieng Akuno, has signed the JOOUST Commercialization Master Plan during the prestigious Kenya Innovation Week (KIW) held at the Edge Convention Center in Nairobi. This momentous event marks a significant step forward for the university in advancing its innovation agenda and strengthening its role in fostering entrepreneurial and commercial activities within academia.
The Commercialization Master Plan is a strategic document developed by an expert Institution Working Group (IWG) consisting of Dr. Richard Magwanga, Dr. Solomon Omwoma, and Dr. Elijah Museve (Focal Person). This plan has been shaped through extensive mentorship, guidance, and capacity-building efforts led by the Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA). Through their collective work, JOOUST is now poised to accelerate its innovation initiatives, leveraging the expertise of faculty, students, and industry partners to convert research outputs into market-driven solutions.
The Master Plan serves as a blueprint for transforming academic research into tangible commercial products and services, contributing to the university’s overall goal of fostering sustainable economic growth through innovation. It is designed to align with the national innovation ecosystem, paving the way for JOOUST to become a key player in Kenya’s knowledge-based economy.
The signing ceremony also highlighted another key achievement in the world of academia and innovation. Fourteen Vice-Chancellors from both public and private universities across Kenya were recognized for their successful completion of the Entrepreneurial Leaders Training Program (ELTP). This program, designed to equip university leaders with the skills to navigate and lead in the world of innovation and entrepreneurship, further reinforces the importance of building a strong entrepreneurial culture within Kenyan higher education institutions.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Emily Achieng Akuno, praised the collaborative effort and expressed her commitment to ensuring that the university continues to lead in research, technology transfer, and commercialization. She also underscored the need for universities to work closely with industry stakeholders to bridge the gap between research and real-world applications.
The Vice-Chancellor’s participation in Kenya Innovation Week and the recognition of university leaders from across the country is a testament to the ongoing efforts to build a thriving innovation ecosystem in Kenya. It is a proud moment for JOOUST and its stakeholders, signaling a new era of collaboration, growth, and opportunity in the African higher education sector.
