Highlights from the 1st Innovation Week at Murang’a University of Technology (MUT)

The inaugural Innovation Week at Murang'a University of Technology (MUT) was a resounding success, bringing together students, staff, industry leaders, and innovators to celebrate creativity and share groundbreaking ideas. Graced by the Chief Guest, Dr. Tonny K. Omwansa, CEO of the Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA), alongside MUT Vice Chancellor Prof. Dickson Nyariki and DVC ARSA Prof. Prisca Tuitoek, the event set a high bar for future innovation initiatives at the university.

Opening Ceremony: Defining a Common North

Dr. Omwansa captivated the audience with his keynote address, where he highlighted KeNIA’s strategies to inspire innovation in academic institutions and beyond. He emphasized that being innovative is the ability to create change that adds value. Using engaging illustrations, such as asking the audience to close their eyes and point north, Dr. Omwansa underscored the importance of MUT aligning its policies, plans, and mechanisms to promote a unified and innovative culture.

The ceremony concluded with a tour of the exhibition stands, where students, staff, and visiting companies showcased innovative products and services, a testament to MUT’s growing culture of innovation.

The SET Stand: Inspiring Picture Stories

One of the standout exhibitions was the School of Engineering and Technology (SET) stand, which combined technical ingenuity with creative storytelling. Through compelling picture stories, the SET team illustrated the journey of engineering and technology innovations from conceptualization to implementation. These visual narratives captured the audience’s imagination, offering an accessible and inspiring way to understand complex projects.

The projects showcased at our stand highlight the ingenuity and commitment of our departments to sustainable and innovative solutions. Key displays include the Save Stride Navigator, a mobility aid designed to enhance the independence and safety of individuals with visual impairments; the Smart Door Alarm Security System, an advanced solution for bolstering home and office security; and Powdered Pumice as Partial Cement Replacement for Lightweight Concrete, which explores sustainable construction practices by reducing cement usage. Additional innovations feature a Solar-Powered Sand Screening Machine for eco-friendly construction processes, a Smart Water Meter promoting efficient water use, and a Neuro-Fuzzy Based DC Motor Speed Control Training Module, offering hands-on learning in intelligent control systems. Together, these projects underscore our dedication to addressing real-world challenges with impactful and sustainable technologies.

Afternoon Keynotes: Insights for a Better Tomorrow

The afternoon session featured two compelling keynote addresses:

Eng. Grace Kagondu, a distinguished civil engineer and a fellow member of The Institution of Engineers of Kenya , shared insights on the 3IF strategies for infrastructure development. She identified these strategies as critical for addressing the rapid growth of informal settlements, which are expanding at an alarming rate of 5% per annum. Her talk challenged participants to think about sustainable, inclusive solutions for urban infrastructure.

The team from Teach2give, represented by Mr. Martin Ndirangu, Mr. Jay Duff, and Mr. Mark Allen, provided an eye-opening discussion on the innovation process. They cautioned engineers against jumping straight into prototyping without thoroughly understanding the problem. They introduced a structured five-step approach:

They coined this process as NPO – Need, Problem, Opportunity, emphasizing the importance of asking five layers of questions to fully grasp the problem.

Nurturing the Child While Managing the Monster

Teach2give also highlighted the delicate balance between nurturing new ideas (the “child”) and managing challenges like laws, bureaucracy, and protocols (the “monster”). Innovation, they argued, requires protecting the “child” from premature exposure to the “monster.”

Mr. Duff closed with an important comparison between Kenya and the U.S., noting Kenya’s youthful population, with an average age of 24 compared to the U.S. at 65. This unique demographic advantage should inspire solutions tailored to Kenya’s specific needs.

A Call to Action

The 1st Innovation Week at MUT demonstrated the university’s commitment to fostering an innovative culture. From thought-provoking keynotes to impressive exhibitions, the event left participants inspired to think creatively and act boldly. The visual narratives presented at the SET stand further underscored the importance of communicating ideas effectively, ensuring that innovation is not just understood but celebrated.

As MUT continues to nurture innovation, it is poised to play a pivotal role in driving sustainable development in Kenya and beyond.

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