The Technical University of Mombasa (TUM) hosted its 6th Multidisciplinary Conference and Innovation Week, drawing together academics, industry experts, innovators, and students under the theme “Transformative Innovation for Sustainable Development and Mitigation of Global Challenges.”
The two-day event officially kicked off on April 3 with an opening ceremony held at the TUM Assembly Hall, attended by top university leadership, including Vice Chancellor Prof. Laila Abubakar, Deputy Vice Chancellors Prof. Peter Gichangi and Prof. Joseph Rasowo, and Council Member Mr. Muhammad Ali Loo. The conference also attracted high-level government representation, with His Excellency Hassan Ali Joho, Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs, officiating the launch.
H.E. Joho began his visit with a courtesy call to the Vice Chancellor before participating in a tree-planting exercise. He later inspected a Guard of Honour mounted by the TUM Maritime Cadets, aligning with the conference’s emphasis on sustainability and innovation.
During his keynote address, Joho emphasized the need for academia to translate research into marketable solutions. “Publishing papers is not enough. We must convert research into practical, wealth-generating innovations,” he stated. He also reaffirmed support for maritime education by pledging to secure 100 Kenyan-owned or flagged vessels by next year, offering vital sea-time opportunities for cadets. “I want to engage directly with maritime students. We must unlock their potential,” he added.
The Innovation Week showcased a range of student-led projects, including a smart greenhouse initiative aimed at improving agricultural productivity through automation. Recognizing this innovation, Joho pledged land and capital support to bring the concept to fruition.
Pre-conference workshops had been held earlier, covering topics such as AI in research, cloud computing, and funding through the EU HORIZON Programme—highlighting IAM COMPACT and FUELPHORIA projects. These sessions allowed students to gain practical insights from experts, laying the groundwork for discussions during the main event.
Prof. Rasowo, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Administration, Finance, and Planning, noted, “TUM continues to make remarkable strides in higher education, positioning itself among Kenya’s leading institutions.” Meanwhile, Prof. Gichangi stressed the conference’s role in fostering innovation across disciplines. Prof. Abubakar announced the launch of a School of Medicine and a Nautical Science degree program set for September 2025. She also revealed ongoing enhancements in maritime training through STCW-certified courses.
The second day, April 4, featured paper presentations and entrepreneurial forums. Prof. Julius Otieno Manyala of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University delivered a keynote on “Creative Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship in Kenya,” exploring how digital transformation is reshaping sectors from lending to online trade.
TUM also launched a new Manuscript Submission System (MSS), presented by Dr. Kevin Tole. The system includes an AI-powered audio-to-text function, improving accessibility for users with disabilities.
Young innovators, including high school students, actively participated. Ayman Issa from Khamis High School said, “The conference was very good. I came here looking for tech opportunities, and I found exactly that.” The event concluded with hackathons and exhibitions.
Source: TUM News
