Kabarak University participated in the Entrepreneurship Education Summit 2026, held on 30 January 2026 at the Pullman Hotel in Upper Hill, Nairobi. The summit was convened by the Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA) in collaboration with the Network of Entrepreneurial Institutions Leaders (NEIL) under the theme “Rethinking Entrepreneurial Education: Towards Venture-Based Learning in Higher Education.”
The summit brought together university leaders, policymakers, industry partners, and innovation ecosystem stakeholders to deliberate on strategies for strengthening entrepreneurship education within higher learning institutions. Key discussions focused on embedding venture-based learning into academic curricula, enhancing research commercialization, and fostering strong university–industry linkages.
The Principal Secretary for Science, Research, and Innovation, Prof. Abdulrazak Shaukat, emphasized the government’s commitment to nurturing entrepreneurial mindsets among students and called for closer collaboration between universities and industry to drive national innovation. He noted that “we must educate not just for employment, but for enterprise, innovation, and value creation.”
Dr. Tony Omwansa, CEO of KeNIA, highlighted the need for a deliberate shift toward entrepreneurship-driven, venture-based education to address gaps in innovation uptake across universities. He observed that “universities must equip students not just with knowledge, but with the capability to create ventures that solve real-world challenges.”
The university delegation comprised:
- Prof. John Ochola, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic and Research
- Dr. Philip Nyawere, Director, Research, Innovation, and Outreach
- Dr. Andrew Kipkebut, Coordinator of Innovations
- Ms. Mercy Gachoka, Researcher
- Members of the Kabarak University Innovation Club, led by Ivy Muthoni
Prof. John Ochola noted that the summit provided valuable insights into integrating venture-based learning within university programs, while Ivy Muthoni shared the student perspective, emphasizing the importance of hands-on entrepreneurial projects in shaping future innovators.
Through participation in high-level national platforms such as this summit, Kabarak University continues to strengthen its role in cultivating a vibrant entrepreneurial culture among students, faculty, and the wider community.
