Konza Technopolis Development Authority and Huawei are setting up an innovation hub at Machakos University dubbed Konza Innovation Hub to spur young entrepreneurs and link them to industry stakeholders, innovators and researchers in the country.
The innovation hub will be based at Machakos University and is expected to enhance research and innovations among students and researchers on campus and across the country.
“By administering quality education and supplementing skills and with an innovative culture is sure to create the leaders of the future. We believe the Konza innovation hub we launch here today will be a catalyst towards shaping tomorrows ideas and inventions.” said Eng. John Tanui CEO Konza Technopolis Development Authority.
Konza also launched high level innovation forums to spur an innovation ecosystem in the country and expand opportunities to help youths reach their full potential through Bootcamps and hackathons.
The innovation forum will bring together government agencies, the Academia, local communities and civil society and Industry stakeholders to shape the direction of Konza Technopolis. The forums also aim to put Konza Technopolis into shape.
The forum targets stakeholders in the government and private sector and will cast spotlight on and address innovation challenges in the country. The forum was followed with a STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) Bootcamp for potential innovators under 15 years of age.
Szczesny Iregi Wachira, Sarah Gitau and Dennis Wambua emerged top winners of the two day Innovation Bootcamp and will be pitching to a team of techies in South Korea next year. The Innovation Bootcamp winners were awarded during the launch of the Konza Innovation Ecosystem Forum.
The three beat over 30 children on robotics concepts and elementary programming principles; critical thinking skills and collaboration in tackling assigned challenges and projects among others.
