varsities challenged to turn research into employment opportunities

Universities have been challenged to move beyond traditional academic training and embrace innovation, entrepreneurship and practical research as a way of addressing unemployment and driving economic growth.

Mount Kenya University (MKU) Pro-Chancellor Vincent Gaitho said higher education institutions must equip learners with skills that respond to emerging industry demands and not concentrate solely on awarding academic qualifications.

He said the changing employment landscape, driven by artificial intelligence, digital technology and climate change, required universities to rethink their teaching approaches and strengthen practical learning.

Gaitho called for closer cooperation between universities, government and the private sector to ensure that research findings are converted into products, businesses and solutions that address challenges facing society.

He was speaking during the 2026 Annual University Conference and Intelligence for Innovation Conference (iN4iN), which began on November 12 and runs until November 13. The conference has brought together academics, researchers, policymakers, entrepreneurs and industry leaders from Africa and Europe, and is being held under the theme "The Triple Synergy: Building Sustainable Innovative Ecosystems Through Education and Partnerships."

Gaitho challenged graduates to develop problem-solving abilities, creativity, digital competencies and an entrepreneurial mindset to improve their competitiveness in the labour market. He also urged universities to strengthen practical exposure by investing in emerging technologies and creating opportunities for students to experiment with innovations.

At MKU, he cited the acquisition of a humanoid robot as an example of efforts to expose learners to robotics, artificial intelligence and programming through hands-on training.

MKU Vice-Chancellor Deogratius Jaganyi challenged universities to measure the success of their innovation programmes by their impact on society and not by the number of conferences, workshops and participants.

In remarks delivered by Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs Peter G. Kirira, Jaganyi said institutions should focus on the businesses established, the employment opportunities generated and the communities transformed through their initiatives.

He cited MKU's Graduate Enterprise Academy, established in 2013, as an initiative that supports young entrepreneurs through mentorship, business development services and networking opportunities.

He further called for stronger international partnerships, noting that collaboration is essential in pooling expertise and resources to expand innovation and entrepreneurship.