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Universities should become thriving hubs of knowledge, research and innovation to steer Kenya’s social-economic development, a minister has said.

Innovation is the lifeblood of economic transformation especially in today’s rapidly evolving world, said Trade Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano.

She spoke during Zetech University’s ‘innovation week’, themed unleashing the transformative power of AI for a circular economy.

“The government recognises the role of innovation in driving economic growth. That is why we have made significant investments in research and development, particularly within our academic institutions,” she said. 

“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 maintained that innovation is a catalyst for progress and called for collaborations between universities and industries to fast-track economic development through innovation.