UoN announces plans to start own Innovation Hub

The University of Nairobi has announced plans of opening their own innovation Hub, the Hub will be based in the University’s Chiromo campus.

The announcement was made by Prof. Peter Mbithi, Vice-Chancellor, University of Nairobi, during his opening remarks of the Nairobi innovation week, where he notified the public that the Hub is not being launched to compete with hubs from other institutions.

“Later this afternoon ladies and gentlemen we launch the Nairobi university innovation Hub, this Hub is not intended to rival existing hubs but rather to complement them and to leverage the existing innovative potential within the academia for commercialized winning ideas.” Prof. Mbithi said.

The ground breaking ceremony for the Hub took place yesterday at the Chiromo campus, with CS Dr. Matiang’i and Chancellor Dr. Rattansi attending the event.

During the opening ceremony the Chancellor, Dr, Vijoo Rattansi officially launched the Africa Technology and Innovation Accelerator (AFTIA).

AFTIA is an incubation programme at the University of Nairobi, which will create a space to influence, support and grow innovators. Dr. Rattansi announced that AFTIA is receiving application from interested innovators. The best innovation will receive seed capital of $100,000.

The launch came at a time when the government and academia are teaming up to seek ways of coordinating and streamlining methods of identifying and investing in the talent within the nation for a better economic growth.

Dr. Fred Matiang’i, Cabinet Secretary, ICT, commended the University on the launch of the programme and said that the government is out to support and implement innovation within the nation.

Dr. Rattansi also congratulated CHURA Group- the first company to be successfully incubated at the C4DLab.