By Selina Atarah

On June 12, the Incubation and Innovation Centre hosted the inaugural Innovation Day, marking the university’s official entrance into the innovation and entrepreneurship space with intention and vision. Held on campus, this landmark event brought together students, faculty, staff, and industry leaders to witness a defining moment in university history.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Billy Wadongo, Director of the Incubation and Innovation Centre, welcomed attendees and gave an overview of the center’s journey so far. Reiterating the university’s commitment to laying strong foundations for long-term impact in the innovation ecosystem, Dr. Billy highlighted the role of the Innovation Hub in equipping students to tackle real-world challenges through creative thinking.

The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Tonny Omwansa, the Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA), who spoke about the urgency of innovation in today’s world and the role KeNIA is playing in nurturing Kenya’s innovation landscape. His address ended with a powerful call to action, encouraging students, faculty, and stakeholders to actively participate in shaping the future.

After his speech, the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Challenge was officially launched. This initiative aims at discovering, incubating, and funding student-led innovations thereby creating opportunities for learners to build scalable solutions to pressing societal problems.

Following the launch, a thought-provoking panel discussion unfolded, bringing together seasoned professionals from Kenya’s innovation space who shared their experiences and perspectives on building resilient startup ecosystems, navigating partnerships, and creating lasting value through innovation.

A highlight of the event was a vibrant showcase of student-led startups and businesses, the majority of which were nurtured through the university’s Innovation Nights Program. Other featured exhibitors included startups under Africa Impact Academy, GEMA, and Go-Care.

The day also featured a practical session focused on legal and Intellectual Property (IP) rights facilitated by Ms. Wangeci Wahome, the Chief Executive Officer of Anza Village. The session aimed at ensuring that young innovators not only develop ideas but also learn how to protect and commercialize them responsibly.

The event ended with a fireside chat, which provided a platform for relaxed conversations with innovators and leaders. This session featured insights from Roy Njoka, the Founder of Terra Lima Startup, Joanna Tinus and Greg Bavington of Queen’s University (Canada), and Wangeci Wahome and Michelle Wanja of Anza Africa. Their stories and guidance left students with a renewed sense of direction, grounded in both aspiration and practical wisdom.

This event showcased USIU-Africa’s commitment to promoting innovation by not only instilling and nurturing the spirit of innovation among students but by also creating spaces that influence creativity.