By Wasike Elvis

Government, education and ICT leaders call for stronger industry partnerships, digital skills and applied research to drive job creation and sustainable development.

The Eldoret National Polytechnic has intensified its push for innovation, digital skills development and industry collaboration as the second day of the 15th Annual International Conference, Innovation Challenge, Hackathon and Expo 2026 got underway, bringing together education leaders, government officials, researchers and young innovators.

The conference has provided a platform for knowledge exchange, strategic partnerships and the development of practical solutions to address emerging economic and technological challenges.

During the event, Chief Principal Dr. Charles Koech, OGW, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to advancing technical skills, applied research and innovation, saying technical and vocational education plays a critical role in preparing young people for the changing demands of the labour market.

Dr. Koech emphasised the importance of creating an environment where trainees can transform classroom knowledge into practical solutions, develop entrepreneurial skills and contribute to national development.

The conference, which combines an international gathering with an innovation challenge, hackathon and exhibition, offers participants an opportunity to showcase ideas, explore emerging technologies and establish partnerships that can support the commercialisation of innovative solutions.

The institution is seeking to strengthen the connection between technical training, research and the needs of industry, with a focus on equipping trainees with competencies that respond to changing workplace demands.

The discussions have also highlighted the importance of collaboration between training institutions, government agencies, private-sector players and research organisations in building a sustainable innovation ecosystem.

Council Chair Calls for Strategic Investment in Training and Innovation

The Eldoret National Polytechnic Council Chair, Dr. Paul Murgor, underscored the importance of strategic leadership, good governance and investment in infrastructure in strengthening the institution’s capacity to deliver quality technical training.

Dr. Murgor said effective institutional leadership and strong partnerships with industry were essential in ensuring that technical institutions remained responsive to technological advancements and the evolving needs of employers.

He called for closer collaboration between educational institutions, industries and research partners to improve the quality of training and ensure that graduates acquire practical competencies required in the workplace.

According to Dr. Murgor, investment in training infrastructure and innovation facilities is important in creating opportunities for trainees to experiment with new ideas, undertake research and develop solutions that can be applied in different sectors of the economy.

He also emphasised the need for partnerships that bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical industry experience, enabling trainees to become innovators, entrepreneurs and skilled professionals.

The council chair's remarks placed institutional governance and resource mobilisation at the centre of discussions on how technical and vocational education and training institutions can strengthen their contribution to economic growth.

The conference continues to provide a forum for stakeholders to explore ways of improving training delivery, supporting research and encouraging innovation-driven development.

Eldoret National Polytechnic Alumna Challenges Youth to Build Businesses From Ideas

One of the key highlights of the conference was the address by Elizabeth Mbege, Director of Digital, Innovation and Skills at the Ministry of ICT and Digital Economy, who challenged young innovators to turn their ideas into viable businesses capable of creating jobs and addressing real-world challenges.

Mbege, an alumna of The Eldoret National Polytechnic, highlighted Kenya’s progress in digital connectivity, infrastructure and skills development, pointing to the opportunities available to young people in the growing digital economy.

Her message carried particular significance for trainees and aspiring entrepreneurs at the institution, demonstrating the potential pathways from technical education to leadership and professional advancement.

She urged innovators to move beyond developing concepts and prototypes by focusing on solutions that respond to genuine community and industry needs.

Mbege challenged participants to consider how their innovations could be transformed into sustainable enterprises, create employment opportunities and contribute to the country’s economic transformation.

She also emphasised the importance of industry-academia partnerships in preparing young people for the workplace, noting the need to align training with practical industry requirements.

Stronger collaboration between training institutions and employers can help trainees gain relevant experience, understand market demands and identify opportunities to commercialise their innovations.

Her remarks reinforced the importance of entrepreneurship alongside technical proficiency, particularly at a time when young people are exploring opportunities in technology, digital services and other emerging industries.

“This is the beginning, not the end,” was the message to the next generation of innovators, encouraging them to remain persistent, continue developing their ideas and pursue solutions that can make a difference.

The message challenged participants to view the conference not merely as an opportunity to display their innovations but as a starting point for further development, collaboration and business growth.

Government Reaffirms Commitment to Digital Skills and TVET

The government has also reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening technical training, digital skills and innovation as part of efforts to prepare young people for employment and entrepreneurship.

The Chief Guest, Dr. Esther Muoria, Principal Secretary for Technical and Vocational Education and Training, was represented at the conference by Director of TVET Dr. Tom Olango.

In the address delivered on her behalf, the government highlighted the importance of strengthening partnerships between training institutions and industry, improving digital infrastructure and empowering young innovators to turn ideas into commercially viable enterprises.

The address emphasised that technical education must continue evolving to respond to technological changes and the practical skills required in the modern economy.

The growing importance of digital technologies has increased the need for training institutions to equip learners with relevant competencies that can support innovation, productivity and enterprise development.

Through platforms such as the annual conference, trainees have opportunities to exchange knowledge, showcase their capabilities and interact with stakeholders who can help advance their innovations.

The government’s message also placed emphasis on job creation, with young innovators encouraged to develop products and services that can address existing challenges while opening up new economic opportunities.

The call for stronger partnerships between academia and industry reflects the need to ensure that training programmes remain relevant to the workplace and that research findings can be translated into practical applications.

For TVET institutions, such collaboration can help strengthen links between training, technology adoption and the demands of employers across different sectors.

Hackathon and Expo Provide Platform for Practical Solutions

The innovation challenge, hackathon and expo remain central components of the 15th annual conference, providing participants with opportunities to demonstrate creativity, technical competence and problem-solving abilities.

The platforms are designed to encourage innovators to develop ideas that respond to practical challenges while promoting collaboration and knowledge sharing.

Hackathons, in particular, provide opportunities for participants to work on challenges, exchange expertise and explore technology-driven solutions within a collaborative environment.

The exhibition component allows innovators to present their work to fellow trainees, educators, industry representatives and other stakeholders, potentially opening doors to partnerships and further development.

The conference also creates opportunities for participants to learn from experienced professionals and explore how innovation can be integrated into entrepreneurship, research and industrial development.

For trainees at The Eldoret National Polytechnic, the engagements offer a chance to demonstrate how technical skills can be applied beyond the classroom to address challenges in society.

The emphasis on practical solutions reflects the wider role of technical institutions in producing graduates who can contribute to industry, establish businesses and support technological advancement.

Industry-Academia Collaboration Takes Centre Stage

A key theme emerging from the conference is the need to strengthen cooperation between educational institutions and industry players.

Education leaders have called for closer engagement between trainers, employers, researchers and innovators to ensure that training programmes respond to the skills required in the labour market.

Such partnerships can support industrial attachments, practical training, mentorship, applied research and the development of solutions tailored to industry needs.

They can also help institutions identify emerging skills gaps and adjust their training approaches to reflect technological developments and changing employment patterns.

The emphasis on collaboration comes as young people continue seeking opportunities to translate their technical knowledge into jobs and sustainable businesses.

By bringing together different stakeholders, the conference provides a platform for discussions on how innovation can move from training workshops and laboratories into the marketplace.

The engagements also reinforce the importance of developing an environment in which innovators can access guidance, partnerships and opportunities to improve their ideas.

Eldoret National Polytechnic Strengthens Its Innovation Agenda

The 15th Annual International Conference, Innovation Challenge, Hackathon and Expo 2026 underscores The Eldoret National Polytechnic’s focus on positioning technical training, applied research and innovation as important drivers of development.

Through the event, the institution is bringing together education leaders, government representatives and innovators to discuss ways of strengthening skills development and encouraging practical problem-solving.

The contributions of Dr. Charles Koech, Dr. Paul Murgor, Elizabeth Mbege and the representatives of the Ministry of TVET highlighted the importance of leadership, infrastructure, digital skills and partnerships in supporting the next generation of innovators.

The conference has also challenged trainees to look beyond acquiring qualifications and consider how their knowledge can be used to create employment, establish enterprises and address challenges affecting communities and industries.

As the second day progresses, the central message remains clear: technical education must be closely linked to innovation, entrepreneurship and the changing needs of the economy.

For the young people taking part, the challenge is to turn the ideas presented at the conference into practical solutions with the potential to create jobs, strengthen industries and contribute to Kenya’s sustainable development.