The African Development Bank (AfDB) has launched the PAUSTI Incubation Centre of Excellence (PAUSTI Incubation CoE) at the Pan African University Institute for Basic Sciences, technology and Innovation (PAUSTI). PAUSTI is located at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT).
PAUSTI Incubation CoE aims to promote innovation development, market linkages, and technology transfer.
The PAUSTI Incubation CoE will seek to accelerate the application of research and development, through technology and linkages with the private sector to drive innovation and entrepreneurship on the continent.
Uyoyo Edosio, the Principal and ICT4Development Expert at AfDB commented, “We are so proud to be launching the PAUSTI Incubation CoE, as this is the beginning of a movement. A movement that will change the face of Africa where we will produce indigenous solutions to solve our indigenous problems. We believe Africa’s youth, when given the right skills and conditions, can be incubated to grow innovative ideas that will change the continent.”
Prof Gabriel Magoma, Director of PAUSTI University highlighted the importance of PAUSTI Incubation CoE. He also explained how it will facilitate creative thinking, collaborative problem solving and encourage, support and promote technological innovations.
The PAUSTI CoE will form the backbone of the development agenda and will foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship within the University. The Centre aims to drive economic growth, generation of employment, industrialization, access to vital business information, business knowledge, networks and financial investments for the PAUSTI students.
iHub has been contracted to set up and operationalize the Incubation Centre. Through the centre, PAUSTI Students will be facilitated to access a global network of accelerators, incubators, mentors, investors, and corporate partners attracting much needed technical expertise for their innovations.
Students will also be involved in activities such as design thinking workshops and innovation challenges, CV clinics, entrepreneurship masterclasses, pre-incubation and incubation programs, among others.
The PAUSTI CoE is the first of its kind incubation centre established among the 5 Pan African University institutes in the African continent.
The event was graced by Vice-Chancellor of JKUAT Prof. Victoria Ngumi, Africa Union Commission representatives among other private sector partners.