In a bid to enhance collaboration between university master’s students and green enterprises, the Kenya Climate Innovation Center (KCIC) recently hosted a pivotal institutionalization workshop for the innovative matchmaking service platform developed under the TransCIIT Programme. The event, held at Strathmore University Business School on January 30, 2024, marked a significant step towards fostering meaningful partnerships within the climate innovation ecosystem.
TransCIIT is an initiative spearheaded by a consortium comprising the University of Johannesburg (South Africa), the Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU) at the University of Sussex (UK), the African Centre for Technology Studies (Kenya), KCIC, and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST). The project’s primary goal is to enhance the functionality of the web-based matchmaking application and develop an open-source version, freely available to stakeholders in the climate innovation ecosystem.
TransCIIT 3, the latest phase of the project, aims to institutionalize the matchmaking service at both university/intermediary and potentially national levels in Kenya. This strategic move is meant to amplify the impact of the platform in fostering collaboration between students and green enterprises.
The workshop showcased the platform’s potential to address pressing business challenges within the sustainable business sector. With live demonstrations, participants experienced firsthand how the platform seamlessly connects students with real-world business challenges. Held at Strathmore University Business School, the event brought together industry professionals, academic experts, and students enthusiastic about sustainable business solutions.
The TransCIIT matchmaking platform envisions creating a symbiotic relationship between university master’s students and green enterprises. By addressing real-world business problems faced by enterprises in the sustainable sector, the platform provides students with invaluable hands-on experience. This collaboration aims to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical application, fostering innovation and sustainability.
Joseph Murabula, CEO at KCIC, who graced the event, emphasized the profound impact of collaboration and knowledge exchange on shaping the future. “The TransCIIT Web program serves as a catalyst for meaningful connections, empowering both entrepreneurs and students to explore, innovate, and create solutions that address the most pressing environmental challenges of our time,” he remarked.
In essence, the institutionalization of the matchmaking service represents a pioneering effort to create a lasting impact in the realm of climate innovation. As the platform evolves, it holds the promise of propelling the collaborative efforts of students and enterprises towards innovative, sustainable solutions, thereby contributing to a greener and more resilient future.
