Call for Participation for the 7th Annual University of Eldoret Innovation Week and Public Lecture

Theme: Sustainable Innovations for Climate Change Resilience

Dates: 15–17 October 2025

The University of Eldoret’s Innovation Weeks and Public Lectures remain a hallmark of our institution’s commitment to fostering creativity, research excellence, and impactful knowledge exchange. These annual events offer a vibrant platform for students, faculty, industry leaders, policymakers, and the wider community to engage with groundbreaking innovations that address real-world challenges and contribute to sustainable development. The 7th Annual Innovation Week and Public Lecture will take place from 15–17 October 2025 on the theme “Sustainable Innovations for Climate Change Resilience,”. This theme is meant to inspire researchers, students, and stakeholders to co-create innovative solutions to address climate challenges, build climate-resilient communities, promote sustainable livelihoods, and contribute directly to Kenya’s Vision 2030, the African Union Agenda 2063, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Overview of Activities

1. Exhibition and Evaluation of Innovations
   Staff and students from the University of Eldoret, other universities, technical training institutions, industry partners, and relevant organizations are invited to showcase their innovations and products. The exhibitions will run daily from 15–17 October 2025 at the New Site Building. All innovations will be evaluated on 16 October 2025, and outstanding entries will be awarded during the Closing Ceremony on 17 October 2025.

   Use this link to register to exhibit your innovation:  https://forms.gle/S1nYduxLDzQDH2d18

2. Innovation Challenge Pitching Competition for Students
   The Department of Intellectual Property Management has organized the 3rd University of Eldoret Innovation Challenge for Students, themed “Climate-Smart Innovations for Sustainable Development.” The challenge invites student teams from University of Eldoret to submit innovative ideas addressing climate change, sustainability, and community resilience. The innovation challenge will be open for students to form teams and apply until 15 September 2025. The objective of this challenge is to nurture creativity and practical problem-solving skills among students while tackling real-world climate and sustainability challenges. Participants will have the opportunity to develop climate-smart solutions that strengthen community resilience, promote sustainable development, and directly contribute to the realization of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

   Challenge Categories

   1. Digital Innovations
   2. Agricultural Innovations
   3. Livestock and Fisheries
   4. Social Innovations
   5. Forestry and Wildlife
   6. ‎Engineering and Technology
   7. Bioenergy
   8. Education and Technology

   On 15 October 2025, students who will have been participating in the Innovation Challenge will participate in the final pitching competition from 2 pm. The panel of judges will include external and internal experts. The Innovation Challenge will provide a platform for young minds to showcase their innovative solutions toward Innovative solutions for societal problems/challenges. 

   Use this link to register for the Innovation Challenge: https://forms.gle/J2ZDDN22kiFEHFSz8

   For more information on the Innovation Challenge, please visit https://sites.google.com/uoeld.ac.ke/3rd-uoe-innovation-challenge/home

3. Capacity building workshop
   There will be a dedicated 2 ½ days pre-event workshop event on Capacity Building Workshop for Students and Researchers on Innovation for Sustainability scheduled for 13–15 October 2025. The theme of the workshop will be “Innovation for Sustainability,” to build the capacity of students and researchers in designing, developing, and commercializing impactful solutions aligned with sustainability goals. Unlike conventional training sessions, this workshop will adopt the dynamic Africa Science Leadership Program (ASLP) approach with expert facilitators, and integrate tools such as Creative Problem Solving to make it highly interactive, inspiring, and engaging. Participants can expect hands-on exercises, peer learning, and leadership development activities that will empower them to turn ideas into real-world innovations for sustainable impact. Participants of such workshops have had wonderful testimonials and this is your chance to experience it. Use this link to register for the capacity-building workshop: https://forms.gle/UV9xptgSszkSVynu5
4. Opening Ceremony and Panel Discussion
   The 7th Innovation Week will be officially opened by the Vice-Chancellor on 16 October 2025, followed by a dynamic panel discussion, aligned with the theme of the Innovation Week. The Panel discussion will bring together distinguished practitioners and thought leaders to share experiences and strategies for driving innovation in climate change resilience. Confirmed panelists include representatives from government, academia, startups, and the private sector.
5. Public Lecture, Closing Ceremony and Awards
   During the Closing Ceremony on 17 October 2025, there will be a Public Lecture titled “Driving Climate Resilience in Kenya’s Development Agenda: A Policy Perspective.” The lecture will be delivered by Dr. Eng. Festus K. Ng’eno, the Principal Secretary, State Department for Environment & Climate Change, Ministry of Environment, Climate Change & Forestry. The Public Lecture will provide valuable insights into Kenya’s climate policy landscape, highlight the role of innovation in achieving national climate goals, and inspire stakeholders to strengthen partnerships that drive sustainable, climate-resilient development. Outstanding innovations and winning teams from the Innovation Challenge will be recognized and awarded during the closing ceremony on 17 October 2025.

Call for Participation

The Intellectual Property Management Office invites students and staff from all Schools and Departments at the University of Eldoret, as well as participants from other institutions of higher learning, research organizations, industry, and community groups, to submit abstracts and showcase innovations towards climate change resilience in line with Kenya’s Vision 2030, the African Union Agenda 2063, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Participation is free for the University of Eldoret staff and students. External exhibitors will be expected to pay KES 10,000 (for the exhibition booth and meals for three days). All payments should be made to: University of Eldoret Account No: 0102816968200 Bank: Standard Chartered Bank. We look forward to your participation in co-creating and shaping a climate resilience future through innovations!

Contact Information

For questions and clarifications, please email hodipm@uoeld.ac.ke or visit the Intellectual Property Management Office at the Directorate of Research & Innovation Opposite the Office of the Dean School of Science.

Let’s co-create a climate resilience future through innovations!