The 5th Central Rift Innovation Week (CRIW) 2026 entered its second day on Wednesday, 16 September, with the official opening bringing together researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, industry players, policymakers and other stakeholders for conversations on how ideas can move from concept to real-world impact.

The 5th Central Rift Innovation Week (CRIW) 2026 opened at Kabarak University on Tuesday, 15 September, bringing together innovators, researchers, entrepreneurs, students, industry players and other stakeholders for a day focused on turning ideas into viable enterprises and meaningful impact.

What happens when a promising idea meets a room full of experts ready to challenge, refine, and strengthen it? For a group of Kabarak University student innovators, it was an opportunity to take their health-focused ideas a step closer to reality.

Kabarak University strengthened its engagement in artificial intelligence (AI), data science, robotics and health technology through its participation in the Deep Learning Indaba 2026, held at Pan-Atlantic University in Lagos, Nigeria, from 2 to 7 August 2026.

Innovation took centre stage as Kabarak University celebrated an impressive achievement on the international stage, winning two Silver Medals at the Kenya–China Innovation Competition and Award Ceremony. 

Africa's leading minds in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Data Science converged in Kampala to explore technologies shaping the future, and among the institutions making a strong impression was Kabarak University. The University's researchers not only engaged with experts from across the continent but also returned home with international recognition after one of their research posters earned the Third Best Poster Award.

Innovation and entrepreneurship took centre stage at Kabarak University as 30 exceptional students officially began their AfyaVentures Cohort 2026 journey after emerging successful in a highly competitive selection process coordinated by the Directorate of Research, Innovation and Outreach. Their selection marks the beginning of an exciting opportunity to transform innovative ideas into practical health solutions while gaining valuable industry exposure and mentorship.