Let's go forth and innovate

On April 28th the 6th Edition of the Nairobi innovation week came to an end with students, staff, innovators and the entire university fraternity sharing their delight in the three days and the wonderful experiences they have had along the three days.

The event themed “Innovation for transformation and impact in society” was a hybrid event with exhibitions running at the same time with master classes.

  On the last day in the morning, a master class on scaling and commercializing ideas was delivered by Dr. Evans Baiya and Mbugua Njihia who gave quite detailed insights into the process to make a profit from ideas. Dr. Evans in his keynote address said that according to research in every one idea commercialized there are another 3000 ideas. The Innovation expert also listed ideas, impact, finance & resources, development and production and delivery & engagement as the ingredients for successful scaling and commercialization. Mr. Mbugua Njhia in his address enlightened the participants.

In the mid-morning session George Njuguna, Director of IT, at Safaricom who were also the three-day events' main sponsors did a presentation on the role of technology in advancing Innovation. Njuguna in his sentiments called for the use of technology in helping solve our everyday life problems. An Eagle’s nest followed suitly where the innovators got a chance to pitch their ideas to the hackathon’s judges. 

Innovators who impressed the judges the most were awarded in the event’s closing ceremony. Teresia Najala with her Grow kit for kids innovation emerged the winner in the students' category well Dr.Sylvia Opanga from the department of pharmacy emerged the winner in the staff category with a Virtual app that ensures continuous care for diabetic patients.  

Eng Andrew Masila who represented the CEO , Safaricom, in the event said, Safaricom aims to transform the lives of Kenyans and the global community at large through innovations such as Mpesa and others. He said the telecommunications Giant was more focused on digital skills and innovations during the 2022 Nairobi Innovation week Affair.

Prof Julius Ogeng'o the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics Affairs who represented the Vice-Chancellor in the closing ceremony expressed his delight in the event, in his sentiments, the DVC remarked,  “this has been a delightful week, it’s interesting to see the society vibrate with so much energy from the youth”. Prof Ogeng'o said the event was a reflection and a reality of the possibilities that exist when universities, governments and industry collaborate. 

Prof Margaret J Hutchinson Associate Vice Chancellor, Research Innovation and Eextension and the NIW organizing committee chair together with Prof Mary Kinoti, director, IPMO and the co-chair of the NIW’S organizing committee thanked all the partners who made the Nairobi Innovation week possible, staff members of the University of Nairobi, students, innovators and all the participants for making the event a success.

 In the famous words of Steven Jeffs, Innovation is the unrelenting drive to break the status quo and develop a new where you have dared to go. Let's go forth and innovate.