In a significant stride toward advancing renewable energy solutions, the 4th Annual TUM SEED Symposium was officially launched at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) on Monday, August 26th, 2024.
The week-long event, themed “Sustainable Energies and Entrepreneurship Development,” brought together a diverse group of stakeholders from various sectors to discuss and innovate on the future of green energy, particularly in marginalized areas.
The symposium which took place at Boma hotel, Nairobi County provided an essential platform for multidisciplinary collaboration. Experts in sustainable energy, entrepreneurship, and other key sectors gathered to share insights, explore research findings, and brainstorm viable solutions to propel the green energy sector forward. The event underscored the crucial role of renewable energy in driving economic growth and addressing energy disparities.
One key output of the SEED project has been the establishment of a living lab at Oldekesi in Narok West County. This power plant has significantly spurred entrepreneurship activities in the area, providing immense benefits to the local community. The lab stands as a testament to the project’s commitment to practical, impactful solutions that directly improve livelihoods while advancing the green energy agenda.
During the launch, Prof. Juliane Winkelmann, Senior Vice President for International Alliances and Alumni at TUM, emphasized the university’s commitment to excellence in research and teaching.
“As an entrepreneurial university, we are dedicated to fostering innovation and sustainable development. Our responsibility extends beyond academia; we must harness our research, teaching, and entrepreneurial spirit to drive meaningful change and contribute to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals,” the Senior Vice President stated.
Prof. Winkelmann highlighted the importance of the TUM SEED Center Annual Symposium as a platform for sharing knowledge, fostering collaboration, and facilitating networking among researchers, entrepreneurs, students, and stakeholders.
She also expressed gratitude for the support from the DAAD Exceed Program and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, noting TUM’s intention to continue this cooperation beyond the current phase.
Echoing these sentiments, JKUAT Vice Chancellor, Prof. Victoria Ngumi, acknowledged the significance of DAAD’s funding in supporting training and research at JKUAT.
In a speech delivered on her behalf by Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs, Prof. Robert Kinyua, Prof. Ngumi stated, “The SEED project’s funding has enabled training and research at the intersection of sustainable energies and the establishment of living labs. These demonstration centers benefit both researchers and communities that are off the national grid.”
Prof. Ngumi also expressed gratitude to TUM for its ongoing support as the SEED project’s coordinator, highlighting JKUAT’s commitment to internationalization as a critical component in strengthening the university.
“Strong relationships with international partners are essential for JKUAT’s growth. Symposiums like this not only facilitate information exchange among researchers but also create linkages between industry and academia, generating solutions to emerging challenges,” the Vice Chancellor averred.
Prof. Frank-Martin Belz, Director of the TUM-SEED Center, noted the center’s pivotal role in advancing renewable energy solutions and building student capacity through mobility grants that have facilitated key research and partnerships in the green energy sector.
“We are eager to expand this project further, offering more students opportunities through long-term and short-term grants and developing new curricula,” Prof. Belz stated.
Dr. Hiram Ndiritu, the Scientific Director of the JKUAT SEED Center, expressed optimism for the project’s future, emphasizing the essential support from DAAD that has made these advancements possible. He called for continued collaboration to ensure that more students benefit from the program’s offerings.
