In a fete that brought together key players in the research, academia, government and industrial sectors, Zetech University's Research and Innovation Week underscored a commitment to exploring and harnessing the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to drive sustainable development and create a more resilient and circular economy.
Themed “Innovate, Disrupt, Regenerate: Unleashing the Transformative Power of AI for a Circular Economy,” the conference featured discussions on diverse fields that could harness the power of AI and green skills to create a sustainable, equitable, and circular economy. These discussions included sessions on Renewable Energy and Climate Change, Transforming the Education Sector through the use of AI, Media and Digital Transformations, Leveraging AI to Embrace Future Innovations for Circularity, Harnessing AI for Sustainable Growth, Impact of AI Technologies in the Financial Sector, and Entrepreneurship and Start-ups: Disruptive Innovations.
The conference showcased innovations displayed by Zetech University students, faculty, and researchers. These included Virtual Reality technologies, E-Mobility solutions, Circular Economy solutions, and Green Energy solutions.
Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry, Rebecca Miano, EGH, while giving an address at the official opening of the Research Week, noted that “the government and the ministry recognise the role of research and innovation in driving economic growth. That is why we have made significant investments in research and development, particularly within our academic institutions. By enhancing funding for research projects, providing state-of-the-art facilities, and encouraging collaborations between academia and industry, we are laying the groundwork for a robust innovation ecosystem.”
She further commended Zetech University’s outstanding prowess in Research and Innovation, observing that Zetech University was the first runners-up in Africa and the number one university in East Africa in the Africa Telecommunication Union (ATU) innovation challenge after Veritas University in Nigeria. She also lauded the university for developing a rechargeable battery-powered motorbike, championing environmental sustainability, and commended the recent training programme by Zetech University that hosted South African Wholesale and Retail traders with a cohort of 112 participants, enhancing bilateral relations between Kenya and South Africa.
Zetech University Chancellor Prof. Susan Alfano, in her remarks, reiterated that “one of the primary objectives of the Research Innovation Week is to strengthen the linkage between industry and academia. In an era where knowledge and technology evolve at an exponential pace, it is imperative that academic institutions and industries collaborate closely.”
She called for continued collaboration and partnerships, urging the industries and companies represented at the event, including the Nation Media Group, Japan Society for Promoting Science, Global Tourism Resilience Centre, Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), Kenya Climate Innovation Centre (KCIC), Microsoft, Meta Club, Intel, Payd, Techwin Limited, ICEA Lion, Ajira Digital, Circular Innovation Hub, Konza Silicon, ABSA Bank, Huduma Whitebox, EcoTourism Kenya, and ICT Authority among other partners that participated in the research conference, to continue with the spirit of enhancing academia-industry linkages.
Prof. Njenga Munene, Zetech University Vice-Chancellor, showcased the achievements of the university, particularly noting the accomplishments of the Zetech University Innovation Hub(commonly known as iZet Hub) – particularly the Totsi USB Cables, which embrace the Circular Economy by using waste to make the cables. The idea, incubated at the hub, has now grown into a large factory in Kirinyaga County. He further explained the theme, noting, “A circular economy seeks to create a regenerative system where resources are reused, remanufactured, and recycled, and AI can play a pivotal role in this transformation by optimising resource use, improving efficiency, and creating intelligent systems that can learn, adapt, and evolve.”
Zetech University’s Research and Innovation Week and Conference is a testament to the university’s alignment with the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12 on Sustainable Consumption and Production, and SDG 17 in advancing science, technology, and innovation for sustainable development. To achieve these goals, Zetech University continues to seek partnerships and collaborations with industry partners to offer solutions through research-based learning that promotes the use of Artificial Intelligence in enhancing innovations.