The trend setting JOOUST!
JOOUST is among the first few Universities in Kenya to successfully develop a commercialization master plan. On 15th February 2024, the University hosted a team of representatives from Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA), Victoria Ventures, Meru University of Science and Technology, Dedan Kimathi University, and Daystar University. The three Universities came to benchmark and learn how JOOUST has achieved this enviable fete so as to be able to develop their own commercialization master plans.
The JOOUST Commercialization Master Plan is anchored in one of the key University strategic pillars, research, innovation and extension. The Master Plan is a progressive roadmap that complements other University plans and activities, specifically designed to strengthen the University’s research output and concurrently generate wealth through the commercialization of research products.
The Commercialization Master Plan seeks to play a critical role in ensuring that Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology transforms into a self-sustaining institution against the backdrop of financial limitations and grants. It also seeks to detach research from the general perception and practice that measures publications as the desirable end product therefore addressing key concerns that can accelerate the commercialization process.
In his opening remarks during the benchmarking exercise, the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Planning and Finance (PAF), Prof. Aggrey Thuo, who was representing the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Emily Akuno, warmly welcomed the visitors to the Institution for the benchmarking activity and noted that when we learn from each other, we are able to know what the others are doing under the constraining environments of the modern world.
“This event is coming after a successful innovation week where students, staff and members of the public participated and we are looking at how we can impact the communities in the immediate environment, for our mandate is teaching, research and extension,” said Prof. Thuo. “Today is for you to come, observe what we are doing, learn and advise on how we can improve on it and in doing that, move forward together. You learn from us, and we learn from you,” he added.
The Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic, Student Affairs and Research (ASAR), Prof. Denis Ochuodho, who was also present during the occasion, thanked KeNIA, UK Aid and African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) for putting the activity together, and enumerated the benefits the initiative has accorded JOOUST. “Because of you we are known out there. We are looking forward to more activities particularly scaling up and impacting the community through the different projects that we have,” voiced Prof.Ochuodho.
Previously, JOOUST has proudly participated in the Accelerated Research to Commercialization program, a collaborative initiative of Victoria Ventures and the Kenya National Innovation Agency. This program spanned from May to November 2023, providing a platform for groundbreaking projects to transition from research ideas to viable commercial ventures, which are available in the institution today.
After the presentations, the guests had an opportunity of carrying out an excursion to the various inventions within the Campus with the aim of developing their own commercialization master plans.
