Kabarak University officially opened the 15th edition of the International Conference on Business, Economics and Commerce on July 1, 2025, under the timely and transformative theme: “Sustainable Business Models in the Era of Artificial Intelligence for Youth Empowerment.” Held in a hybrid format, the conference brought together distinguished scholars, industry leaders, government officials, and students to explore innovative and ethical pathways for youth-driven economic development in the age of artificial intelligence.

Kabarak University School of Music and Media proudly hosted the 4th International Research Conference on Mass Communication on Monday, June 16, 2025. Held under the theme “Artificial Intelligence and the Evolution of Mass Communication: Balancing Innovation with Media and Public Relations Ethics,”  the two-day conference attracted scholars, media professionals, researchers, and students from across Kenya and beyond. It offered a robust discourse on the intersection of AI, media innovation, and ethical communication.

The National Research Fund (NRF) has officially launched its Grants Capacity Building Initiative (GCBI), a strategic programme aimed at enhancing the capacity of Kenya’s public and private institutions to attract funding through collaborative and high-impact research proposals. To mark the launch, NRF hosted a week-long GCBI Workshop from 9 to 13 June 2025 at Burch’s Resort, Naivasha, bringing together 65 participants from 30 institutions across the country.

 Kabarak University, through its Directorate of Research, Innovation, and Outreach (RIO), continues to promote a culture of creativity and problem-solving among students. As part of its commitment to nurturing innovation, RIO organized an Internal Innovation Pitch Showcase on June 12, 2025, at the Kabarak University main campus. This initiative serves as a crucial step in preparing students for the China International College Students’ Innovation Competition (CICSIC) 2025, a prestigious global platform for young innovators.

Today, Kabarak University proudly participated in the virtual Opening Ceremony of the China International College Students’ Innovation Competition (CICSIC) 2025 – Africa Division, marking the official launch of this prestigious global innovation platform. This initiative, deeply rooted in strengthening Sino-African educational ties, aims to ignite the innovative spirit of African youth to shape a shared future.

Tuesday, 27th May 2025, marked the highly anticipated launch of the inaugural Innovation Challenge at Kabarak University Online (KABUO). The Directorate of Research, Innovation, and Outreach initiated a rigorous review and evaluation process, highlighting the vibrant spirit of innovation that thrives within the university community.

Kabarak University participated in the Connected Africa Summit 2025, held in Diani, Kwale County, Kenya, under the theme “The Digital Journey: Vision to Reality.” The summit brought together policymakers, industry leaders, academia, and innovators from across the continent to deliberate on actionable strategies for accelerating Africa’s digital transformation. The university’s presence at this high-level event reflected its strong commitment to contributing to national and regional development through technology, research, and community engagement.

The National Commission for Science, Technology, and Innovation (NACOSTI) continues to play a pivotal role in safeguarding the integrity of research across Kenya. As the body responsible for promoting ethical standards in science and research, NACOSTI remains committed to strengthening the capacity of Institutional Scientific and Ethics Review Committees (ISERCs) and individual researchers through targeted training programs.

At Kabarak University, we recognize that transformative innovation flourishes through collaboration, knowledge exchange, and strategic partnerships. In pursuit of excellence and impactful entrepreneurship, our delegation, led by Dr. Phillip W. Nyawere, Ag. Director, Research, Innovation and Outreach, and Andrew K. Kipkebut, PhD, Coordinator, Innovation and Business Incubation, recently embarked on a benchmarking tour at JHUB Africa, the renowned innovation hub at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT). 

Kabarak University continues to position itself as a leader in innovation and technological advancement, with its Business Incubation Coordinator, Dr. Andrew Kipkebut, contributing to critical conversations on agricultural transformation at GITEX AFRICA. This premier technology event, set to take place in Marrakech, Morocco, from April 14-16, 2025, brings together global experts to explore cutting-edge solutions in AI, Agritech, and sustainable food systems.