Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) has partnered with Japan and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to strengthen global innovation, focusing on research commercialization, knowledge exchange, and cross-border collaboration.

The delegation, which included representatives from the ASYEP programme, Axcel Africa Consulting, and students from the University of Tokyo, was led by Hiroshi Yokoyama and marked UNIDO’s second exchange visit to Kenya.

The discussions were centered on on expanding structured collaboration frameworks that link academia, industry, and international partners to accelerate innovation and move research into real-world application.

Vice Chancellor, Prof. Victoria Wambui Ngumi highlighted the university’s long-standing Kenya–Japan partnership, noting that sustained international collaboration is central to building globally competitive programmes and scaling innovation beyond local ecosystems.

Prof. Victoria Wambui Ngumi pledged her full support for the partnership, describing it as a cornerstone of her vision to elevate JKUAT’s international profile and drive global collaborations.

Hiroshi Yokoyama lauded JKUAT’s commitment to bridging academia and industry, saying: “This partnership demonstrates Kenya’s growing role in global innovation.”

He added that by combining JKUAT’s research strengths with international expertise, partners can accelerate solutions that address real-world challenges across borders.

Yokohama said UNIDO is keen to support initiatives that promote knowledge exchange, capacity building, and market-driven research outcomes.

Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration and Finance, Prof. Bernard Ikua emphasized the need to align academic strengths with industry demand to support scalable and impactful solutions.

On his part, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research, Production and Extension, Prof. Jackson Kwanza reiterated the University’s ongoing efforts to commercialize research through JHUB Africa, adding that the efforts positions JKUAT’s innovations for broader market uptake.