KCA University Champions Creativity and Collaboration at the 4th Innovation Week & Industry Summit

Innovate. Elevate. Impact.These three words came to life at KCA University during Innovation Week 2025,an engaging forum that showcased creativity, research and collaboration in action.The event brought together students, faculty, innovators and industry leaders to explore how ideas can move from imagination to impact, shaping the future of Kenya and beyond.

The week started on a high note with Prof. Abdulrazak Shaukat, Principal Secretary, State Department for Science, Research & Innovation, gracing the launch as Chief Guest. In his address, Prof. Shaukat commended KCA University innovators for their ingenuity and practical solutions, applauding their contribution to Kenya’s growing innovation landscape. He reflected on the lessons Kenya can draw from South Korea’s culture of discipline, collaboration, and innovation-driven growth, noting that a thriving ecosystem depends not only on great ideas, but also on sustained commitment and collective effort.

KCA University’s VC and CEO, Prof. Isaiah I.C. Wakindiki, officially inaugurated the event with a stirring message that set the tone for the week. “Knowledge must be purposeful, research must be relevant, and innovation must be transformative,” he said, reaffirming the University’s vision to drive partnerships that bridge academia, industry, and government in creating lasting change.

Adding a global voice to the conversation, Mr. Lee Cheong-geun, Founder and CEO of Shoeall Co. Ltd. (South Korea), inspired participants with his entrepreneurial journey and reflections on innovation. “Innovation doesn’t always have to be very technical,it begins when we find creative ways to solve the problems around us,” he shared. His words encouraged KCAU students and innovators to view innovation as a mindset,one that starts with curiosity and the courage to take small, meaningful steps.

Throughout the week, KCA University was alive with conversation, curiosity and creativity. Exhibition booths showcased student projects, while panel discussions and workshops sparked new ideas and collaborations. One of the most engaging sessions was #TaxNovation, powered by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), which explored how innovation is transforming finance, taxation, and entrepreneurship. The event also featured vibrant showcases and discussions in partnership with Co-operative Bank of Kenya,Safaricom and Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply reinforcing the University’s commitment to linking learning with industry relevance.

As the week drew to a close, the focus turned to intellectual property (IP), the cornerstone of sustainable innovation. Delivering the keynote address at the closing ceremony of the 4th KCA University Innovation Week and Industry Summit, Dr. Robi M. King’a, Executive Director of the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA), urged universities, policymakers and private sector players to prioritize IP protection as a driver of Kenya’s industrial growth.
“Innovation thrives where ideas are treated as valuable assets. Protecting intellectual property ensures that innovators gain recognition, ownership and reward for their ideas,” he said.
Dr. King’a commended KCA University for its leadership in research, innovation and public awareness partnerships with ACA, including the landmark national study on counterfeiting trends across key economic sectors, whose findings now inform policy and enforcement strategies.

Representing the VC & CEO at the closing ceremony, Prof. Vincent Onywera, DVC, Research, Innovation & Outreach, reaffirmed the University’s commitment to strengthening Kenya’s innovation ecosystem.
“Protecting innovation is key to building a knowledge-based economy that delivers tangible benefits to our people,”he remarked, emphasizing the need for academia-industry collaboration in safeguarding innovation.

By the end of the week, one message resonated clearly: innovation is not just about invention, it’s about impact. It begins with curiosity, grows through collaboration and thrives when ideas are protected and shared responsibly.
At KCA University, this spirit continues to flourish. Through innovation-driven education and partnerships, the University is empowering a new generation of thinkers, doers and changemakers ready to innovate, elevate and impact their world.