Calls for stronger industry-academia collaboration at JKUAT scientific conference

JKUAT, Chair of Council, Dr. Micah Onsando; TVET Director, Archer Arina; former JKUAT Vice Chancellor, Prof. Nick Wanjohi; and Prof. Salome Bukachi of ISTQB cut a cake to commemorate JKUAT’s 20th Scientific, Technological and Industrialization Conference./HANDOUT

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) held its 20th Scientific, Technological and Industrialisation Conference, marking a major milestone in the institution’s two-decade long quest to impact society through research, innovation and technology transfer.

Held from March 26–27 under the theme, “Transforming Livelihoods Through Training, Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Development,” the milestone conference served as a premier platform for knowledge exchange, showcasing cutting-edge solutions in agriculture, health, engineering, and technology.

In a powerful address delivered on her behalf, Dr. Esther Mworia, Principal Secretary for the State Department for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), underscored the government’s commitment to bridging the gap between training institutions and industry.

She emphasized that such linkages are essential for advancing applied research, technology transfer, and skills development.

“Through CBET, we are systematically aligning skills development with labour market demands, producing graduates who are not only employable but also capable of driving industrial transformation,” said Dr. Mworia, represented by TVET Director Archer Arina.

She further urged JKUAT and other institutions to position themselves strategically in emerging frontiers, including artificial intelligence, robotics, green technologies, and big data, to equip learners with future-ready skills for a rapidly digitizing global economy.

Reflecting on the conference’s legacy, Vice Chancellor Prof. Victoria Ngumi noted that the event has evolved into a vital link between academia, industry, and policymakers.

“Over the past 20 years, our conferences have showcased thousands of research papers, inspired policy reforms, and facilitated ground-breaking collaborations,” Prof. Ngumi said. “JKUAT remains committed to producing graduates who are not just job seekers, but job creators, and researchers whose work addresses real societal challenges.”

Echoing the call for collaboration, Chair of Council Dr. Micah Onsando highlighted the intellectual responsibility of universities to translate knowledge into tangible solutions.

“Institutions of higher learning have the capacity and duty to contribute to national development through research, innovation, and knowledge sharing,” he said.

Bringing an industry perspective, Kenya Commercial Bank’s General Manager for Sovereign & Public Sector, Mr. David Nyamu, affirmed the private sector’s readiness to support initiatives that bridge academic research with real-world applications, emphasizing that such partnerships are critical to enhancing innovation and economic impact.