UoN ESC Innovation Pillar delegation in France.
The Engineering and Science Complex (ESC) Innovation Pillar undertook a week-long collaboration mission to leading universities in Paris from 3rd to 7th November 2025, aimed at strengthening international partnerships and enhancing understanding of global best practices in innovation ecosystems. The 14-member delegation, representing diverse faculties, was led by Prof. Jackson Maalu (Pillar Head and Ag. DVC Finance, Planning & Development), alongside Prof. George Abong (Ag. Director, University Advancement). Also in the delegation was Prof. Maina J. Wagacha (Director, Intellectual Property Management Office (IPMO).
The mission focused on benchmarking best practices aligned with the pillar's mandate—which includes establishing an Innovation Community of Excellence (CoE), strengthening and promoting incubation and acceleration models within UoN. The visit exposed members to advanced innovation ecosystems, operational industry partnerships, and effective commercialization pathways.
Key institutional visits and engagements
The program featured high-level sessions with top institutions renowned for research excellence, innovation management, and technology transfer.
At CentraleSupélec, the delegation received an overview of the institution's scientific ecosystem and the InnLabs network. Members toured "La Fabrique" FabLab, interacted with operations managers from the 21st incubator, and held discussions on corporate relations, industrial chairs, and ongoing modernization of innovation spaces. The delegation also had the opportunity to interact with the University of Nairobi students at the host institutions, including one postdoctoral researcher, a master’s student, and two students currently on a semester exchange.
A half-day session at AgroParisTech provided the delegation with insights into innovation within food systems through the Food'InnLab, exposure to entrepreneurship development models, intellectual property management practices, and the Grignon Farm innovation ecosystem. The engagement offered a comprehensive understanding of how the institution integrates research with industry and nurtures student-led innovation pathways.
The team also visited INRIA, France's leading national institute for digital science and technology. Members engaged with researchers from various project teams (PETRUS, TRIBE, ILDA), and learned about the institution's framework for research, innovation, and technology transfer.
At Université PSL, delegates explored interdisciplinary innovation dynamics and learned how the University leverages its diverse ecosystem to advance cutting-edge research and entrepreneurship. A subsequent hands-on workshop at Mines Paris immersed the team in interactive sessions on design thinking, corporate relations management, and business modelling for innovation-driven enterprises.
Later on Thursday, at the École nationale des ponts et chaussées (ENPC), the group deepened their understanding of co-innovation models, platform development such as Build'In, and active collaboration with industry, alumni, and student entrepreneurship networks—further enriching their perspective on integrated innovation ecosystems.
A smaller subset of delegates had the opportunity to tour Station F, one of the world's largest startup campuses, where they interacted with entrepreneurs, mentors, and innovation experts, gaining exposure to global startup acceleration models.
The mission concluded on Friday, 7th November, with a reflective debrief at Chimie ParisTech, including a presentation on VivaTech, the premier European technology and innovation event.
The insights and partnerships developed throughout the week are expected to significantly advance the University's innovation agenda, strengthening commercialisation systems, stimulating entrepreneurship among students and faculty, and enhancing collaboration between industry, government, and academia.
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