Maureen Ochako

[NEIL Africa @TheNEILAfrica]

Campus Spark has been up and running,

We closed last week with our third intra-university pitch, but our first physical session at Dedan Kimathi University of Technology @DeKUTkenya

Truth is, our experience at @DeKUTkenya was a dream! Over 12 groups of student innovators shortlisted for the Campus Spark program took the stage to battle for the title of Student Innovator of the Year for DeKUT.

This year's innovations centered on four key focus areas:
✔️ Health and Wellbeing
✔️Agriculture and Food Security
✔️Digital Transformation and AI
✔️Climate Action and Green Innovation

If we had to sum it up, we, the coordinators, walked away having learned so much. And our judges had their work cut out for them, narrowing down the best of the best.

After tough deliberation, four innovators emerged victorious:
🏆 Lindatoto - Health and Wellbeing
🏆 Banpass - Agriculture and Food Security
🏆 TerminusAI - Digital Transformation and AI
🏆 Collastrong - Climate Action and Green Innovation

These four teams now advance to the Final Pitching Competition against teams from 20 other institutions at the CEIL Summit 2026.

The big question: who will walk away with the grand title of Student Innovator of the Year 2026? 👀

#CampusSpark2026 #NEILAfrica #DeKUT #StudentInnovation #EntrepreneurialEducation #InnovationLeadership

[NEIL Africa @TheNEILAfrica]

We have just concluded the Campus Spark Pitches at DeKUT!

Campus Spark is NEIL’s student innovation challenge for paid members, and DeKUT marked our first physical pitch session,making it the third university to complete its pitches so far.

Students showcased innovations across four categories:
🌾 Agriculture and Food Security
🌍 Climate Action and Green Innovation
💻 Digital Transformation and AI
🏥 Health and Wellbeing

Updates on the winning innovations coming soon. Stay tuned!

#campusspark2026 #innovationleadership #entrepreneurialeducation #neilafrica

[NEIL Africa @TheNEILAfrica]

In @ItsMainaKageni 's words, "It is a feel-good Friday!"
Happy weekend from us.

It's been a week!

#NEILAfrica #WeekendMoodActivated

[NEIL Africa @TheNEILAfrica]

Vice Chancellor's Immersion Program – South Africa Reflections

In the past week (16th to 20th March 2026), Vice-Chancellors from NEIL member institutions took part in an immersion trip to Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct @TshimologongIT at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) @WitsUniversity and innovation week at the University of Johannesburg @go2uj, where they witnessed first-hand how strong ecosystems are intentionally built, connecting academia, industry, and government to drive real impact.

From innovation hubs to university leadership engagements, this immersion reaffirmed that entrepreneurial education thrives where collaboration, mindset shift, and practical application meet. Key insights and learning points from the vice-chancellors' feedback for creating a thriving entrepreneurial education ecosystem include:

✅ Establish functional TTOs – Start small if needed, even by repurposing existing spaces, but prioritize structures that support IP protection, research translation, and commercialization

✅Focus on niche, high-impact startups – Move from broad ideas to targeted, scalable ventures

✅Embed entrepreneurship in the curriculum – Build a culture of innovation among both staff and students

✅Invest in dedicated teams and structures – Innovation cannot thrive as a side task; it requires focused personnel and clear systems

✅Create clear pipelines – Link skills development, create innovations, link them to viable ventures, and spin-offs

✅Strengthen ecosystems and partnerships – Collaboration is key to scaling impact and enabling technology transfer

✅Leverage existing potential – Many institutions already have promising innovations; what’s missing are structured support systems and funding

✅Learn from coordinated models – Platforms like Universities South Africa (USAf) demonstrate the value of strong governance, alignment, and collective action across institutions

The experience also highlighted the importance of integrated ecosystems, such as linking business schools, incubators, and community innovation centres, as seen at the University of Johannesburg, to drive venture development and community impact.

This immersion was a clear reminder: transforming universities into engines of innovation requires intentional leadership, strong structures, and a commitment to moving ideas into action.

As NEIL, we are bringing these lessons home by working with our member institutions to turn potential into thriving ventures and innovation-driven growth.

#EntrepreneurialEducation #InnovationLeadership #NEILAfrica

[Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA) @KENIAupdates]

Empowering innovation requires enabling environments! 🌟 As @m_ochako highlights at the CEIL Summit 2024, let's support visionary ideas today to build the Microsofts of tomorrow.
#CEILsummit2024 #InnovationLeadership

[Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA) @KENIAupdates]

Drum rolls please...we're honored to announce that @LemelsonFdn is joining us as a Gold Sponsor for CEIL Summit 2024! Renowned for their commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, they are dedicated to improving lives through invention.

[Dr. Tonny Omwansa, PhD @tomwansa]

Spent a morning supporting Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology @Jooustonline on their efforts of an advancing Entrepreneurial University. Great potential with the new leadership. @KENIAupdates has introduced an Entrepreneurial Institution Maturity Framework that would empower self and peer evaluation. @moyasa_ke @MoICTKenya @BritishCouncil @BlagescuMonica @UFKenya

[Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA) @KENIAupdates]

Have you registered for the Commercialisation & Entrepreneurial Institutions Leaders (CEIL) Summit? Purpose to attend and join us in Mombasa for impactful conversations!
Register here: https://t.co/9fEjykM1qX
#CEILSummit2024

[Dr. Tonny Omwansa, PhD @tomwansa]

Working with leadership of Universities to shape stronger local entrepreneural ecosystems is a priority for a national innovation system. The council for Kenya Network of Entrepreneural Institutions leaders (KNEIL) met to deliberate on the strategy for the network. Indeed inspiring to provide leadership on this agenda.
Council Members:
Prof. S. Kiama @vcuonbi -> [@uonbi] - Chair
Prof. Ayiro @ayiro_p [@DaystarUni] - Vice Chair
Prof. Gudu -> [@Rongo_Uni]
Prof. Kibwage -> [@egertonunikenya]
Prof. Gateru @RobertGateru -> (@RiaraUniversity)
Prof. Koech ->[@kabiangavarsity]
Prof. Muchiri @p_muchiri -> [@DeKUTkenya]
Dr. Omwansa @tomwansa -> [@KENIAupdates] - Secretary

@BlagescuMonica @SDY_Ke @moyasa_ke @EduMinKenya

[Maureen Ochako @m_ochako]

Save the date: August 29-30th for the Commercialisation and Entrepreneurial Institutional Leaders (CEIL) summit pale Mombasa.

[Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA) @KENIAupdates]

Mark your calendars! 📅 Get ready to ignite innovation and collaboration at the CEIL Summit 2024. Save the date and join us for an unforgettable experience!
#CEILSummit2024
More info: https://t.co/meoSq9XIFs

[Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA) @KENIAupdates]

Mark your calendars! 📅 Get ready to ignite innovation and collaboration at the CEIL Summit 2024. Save the date and join us for an unforgettable experience!
#CEILSummit2024
More info: https://t.co/meoSq9XIFs

[Maureen Ochako @m_ochako]

https://t.co/tMHcDAjPfr

[Kenya Innovation Week 2024 @KenyaInnovWeek]

Join us at @KenyaInnovWeek @commonwealthsec Edition for the Entrepreneurial Universities Masterclass! ✨ Thrilled to announce our stellar lineup of facilitators @Bettymuganda17 PS @EduMinKenya, Neil Marshall of @ChangeSchoolOrg, @tomwansa CEO, KeNIA and Kevin Ibeh of @BirkbeckUoL

[Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA) @KENIAupdates]

CEIL Summit 2023 is not just a gathering; it's a catalyst for change, a source of inspiration, and a springboard for innovation. It's aimed at empowering individuals and institutions to thrive in an ever-evolving business landscape.
Register: https://t.co/PFm3QiieJn

[Maureen Ochako @m_ochako]

https://t.co/OSoRxdkj4M

[Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA) @KENIAupdates]

#KIW2023 - Commonwealth Edition will be happening from 27th November - 1st December 2023 and will be hosted by the Government of Kenya @StateHouseKenya through KeNIA and co-hosted by @commonwealthsec.

Thanking @ThunderbirdAfr @pthigo for co-hosting this co-creation workshop.

[Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA) @KENIAupdates]

Join us today as we cover various topics, including the innovator's journey from ideation to #commercialization, and identifying opportunities and obstacles researchers may encounter during this process.
Register here: https://t.co/85AzjDueGB

#enablinginnovation #R2CAccelerator

[Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA) @KENIAupdates]

Research to Commercialization (#R2C) Accelerator Training Week 2 has just began. This week, the focus is on "Scalling your innovations.'' Stay tuned to receive updates on how innovators can leverage on available resources to benefit them in their journey.
#enablinginnovation

[Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA) @KENIAupdates]

KeNIA CEO @tomwansa has today officiated the kick off of the R2C Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop in Naivasha.
The ToT programme will equip institutional trainers with skills and knowledge on strengthening technology transfer capacity using a cascaded training model.

[Maureen Ochako @m_ochako]

An African proverb says it takes a village to raise a child!
Similarly, it takes partnerships, continuous learning, a customer focus and an enabling ecosystem to take research innovations to the market.