Mount Kenya University (MKU) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening partnerships with businesses, innovators, and industry players in a bid to accelerate innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth in Thika and beyond.
Speaking on behalf of MKU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Deogratius Jaganyi during the official opening of the “Touch of Thika SMEs Expo 2026” held at Christina Wangari Gardens, Prof. Peter Wanderi said the university was keen on working closely with the business community to ensure research and innovation developed within the institution translates into practical solutions that benefit society.
The event had brought together entrepreneurs, investors, industry leaders and government representatives, who included Margaret Nyechiyama, the Thika Municipal Manager and Dr. Juliet Kimemia, a director at the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) – Kiambu Chapter.
Prof. Wanderi conveyed warm greetings from the university fraternity and thanked the organisers of the expo, particularly the Thika District Business Association led by Chairman Alfred Wanyoike, for selecting MKU as the keynote institution during the event.
“Your choice was wide, but you chose Mount Kenya University. We are grateful for the opportunity to be part of this important occasion,” Prof. Wanderi said while reading the Vice-Chancellor’s message.
He highlighted MKU’s stature as a comprehensive university with 14 schools spread across the East African region, noting that Thika remained the institution’s headquarters and the centre of its largest impact.
The Vice-Chancellor said that MKU took pride in its long-standing relationship with Thika Town and the wider business community, describing local enterprises as key partners in the university’s growth and development.
A major highlight of the address was MKU’s recent recognition by the United Nations. The university was competitively selected as the United Nations Academic Impact Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 9 Hub Chair for the period between 2025 and 2030. SDG 9 focuses on industry, innovation and infrastructure, placing MKU at the forefront of advancing sustainable industrial development and innovation globally.
Prof. Wanderi announced that the university was now calling upon businesses and industries to collaborate with its researchers, innovators and students to address real-world challenges through practical and scalable solutions. He noted that partnerships between academia and industry were increasingly becoming a key driver of economic growth worldwide.
“We want businesses to work with the university so that the innovation aspect of the university can be felt by everybody. This is not just a local initiative; it is a global undertaking that seeks to create meaningful impact,” he said.
Studies by the World Bank and UNESCO have shown that stronger collaboration between universities and businesses enhances innovation, improves competitiveness and creates employment opportunities, especially for young people.
The Vice-Chancellor also expressed appreciation to the many organisations and businesses in Thika that have partnered with MKU over the years by offering industrial attachment opportunities, supporting research projects, and participating in community engagement programmes.
“We appreciate all the Thika Town businesses and organisations that continue to work with MKU. Your support has been invaluable in providing attachment opportunities for our students and contributing to research and community engagement initiatives,” the statement read.
As he concluded, Prof. Wanderi assured participants that MKU would soon engage members of the Thika District Business Association through their leadership structures to explore areas of cooperation and partnership.
“The university thrives on partnerships. Academia, industry, business and the community are all expected to work together. We shall be reaching out through the association’s leadership to discuss joint engagements and collaborations. When we come seeking partnerships, kindly open your doors to us. Equally, our doors remain open to you. Let us work together and become partners in everything we do,” he concluded.
The remarks underscored MKU’s vision of creating stronger links between education, innovation and enterprise, positioning the university as a key partner in supporting the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises while contributing to sustainable development in the region.