The College of Engineering and Technology (COETEC) at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing innovation and research among young learners by hosting the International Kids’ Conference on Friday, July 10, 2026. The conference brought together secondary school students from Kenya and across the globe to showcase innovative projects, exchange ideas, and demonstrate how education can be leveraged to solve real-world challenges.
Organized by COETEC, the conference provided a dynamic platform for learners to present research-driven projects while fostering creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and self-efficacy. The event aligns with the College’s vision of promoting engineering, technology, and innovation as catalysts for sustainable development.
The conference featured an impressive array of student-led innovations addressing pressing societal issues, including water conservation, election technology, financial literacy, international relations, food safety, mental health, and the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in geohazard monitoring and education.
Among the most outstanding projects was a prototype robotic wheelchair developed by Kabare Girls High School. The innovation aims to improve mobility and independence for persons with disabilities while reducing the burden on caregivers, exemplifying how engineering can transform lives through practical solutions.
Welcoming participants to the College, COETEC Principal, Prof. Eng. Hiram Ndiritu, emphasized the College’s dedication to nurturing future innovators by providing platforms where young minds can develop, test, and refine solutions to society’s challenges.
“Innovation knows no age. The brilliant ideas showcased here demonstrate that young people have the creativity and potential to become tomorrow’s scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs. As a College, we are committed to supporting such talent by creating pathways that transform innovative ideas into practical solutions with real societal and economic impact,” said Prof. Eng. Hiram Ndiritu.
Prof. Ndiritu further noted that exposing learners to research and innovation at an early stage complements the University’s mission of advancing knowledge through science, technology, engineering, and innovation while contributing to national development and job creation.
The conference was led by Dr. Stephen Spain, Chair and Founder of the Kids’ Conference Africa initiative, who reiterated that the programme seeks to cultivate a culture of student-led research by empowering learners to apply classroom knowledge to address community challenges.
“Our vision is to build capacity for student-led research and encourage learners to translate classroom knowledge into meaningful innovations. We are committed to supporting young researchers across all disciplines—from STEM to the arts—so they can become agents of positive change,” said Dr. Spain.
Also speaking during the event, Ms. Betty Gakii, a teacher at Mary Hill Girls High School, praised the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) for encouraging innovation and practical learning among students. She called upon stakeholders to strengthen support systems that can nurture promising innovations from concept to implementation for the benefit of society.
Sharing her experience, Precious Njeri, a student from Mary Hill Girls High School, said the conference had inspired participants to embrace innovation as a tool for solving everyday challenges. She particularly highlighted the robotic wheelchair project as an excellent example of technology improving the quality of life for persons with disabilities.
Hosting the International Kids’ Conference for the second consecutive year underscores COETEC’s growing role as a hub for innovation, engineering education, and collaborative research. Through such initiatives, the College continues to strengthen partnerships that expose young learners to emerging technologies while inspiring them to pursue careers in science, engineering, and technology.
The conference was supported by the Australian Globally Engaged Learners Programme, an initiative of the Victorian Government’s Department of Education. The programme enables learners from Africa and other regions of the world to participate both physically and virtually, promoting international collaboration, knowledge exchange, and student-led learning.
The 2026 edition attracted participation from 13 secondary schools, with five schools presenting their projects in person. Learners from Australia, Singapore, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and Egypt also participated virtually, demonstrating the conference’s expanding international footprint and reinforcing COETEC’s commitment to fostering globally connected, innovation-driven education.