Three students from Mount Kenya University (MKU)— Joy Watiti, Clifford Musyoka, and Mark Kiarie — have been selected to participate in a prestigious two-and-a-half-month innovation exchange program in Munich, Germany. The fully-funded initiative is part of the “Africa Meet” program by the Digital Product School by UnternehmerTUM, Germany’s leading center for innovation and business creation.
The selection follows the successful completion of a 5 months intensive training that began in December 2024, involving 30 students drawn from various University campuses. The program, delivered in partnership with trainers from MKU and the Technical University of Munich, equipped students with cutting-edge skills in design thinking and agile methodologies.
Working in diverse teams of five, the participants assumed various roles and collaboratively developed digital product prototypes, turning innovative ideas into potential startups. Their hard work culminated in April 2025, marking the end of a transformative journey in entrepreneurship and product development.
All 30 students received certificates from the Technical University of Munich, which were formally presented yesterday by Prof. Peter Kirira, the University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Administration, Planning and Institutional Advancement. The occasion marked a proud moment for both the students and the institution, celebrating the achievements of the program’s first cohort.
Recognizing their achievement, MKU Vice-Chancellor applauded the students for leveraging the university’s Innovation and Incubation Centre to transform entrepreneurial ideas into viable ventures. In a celebratory gesture, the VC also presented a symbolic flight ticket to the three selected students, who will soon join Germany’s vibrant startup ecosystem.
“This exchange is more than just a learning experience — it’s an opportunity for our students to engage with the global innovation landscape,” said Donatus Njoroge, Head of Innovation, Intellectual Property and Community Engagement at MKU. “We’re proud to be one of only two Kenyan institutions participating, alongside partners from Ghana and Ethiopia.”
The initiative is fully supported by the Bavarian State Chancellery, aiming to strengthen innovation and knowledge exchange between African and Bavarian ecosystems. The current cohort marks the beginning of a long-term partnership, with the next group of participants expected to join later in 2025.
