First Industrial Chair Launched Through Ecomobilus Partnership
The University of Nairobi signed a strategic partnership agreement with Ecomobilus Technologies on April 21, 2026, advancing industry-integrated education and research. The agreement, formalised at the Vice-Chancellor’s Boardroom, marked the official launch of the University’s first Industrial Chair under the Engineering and Science Complex (ESC) Communities of Excellence (CoEs). The signing was conducted between the Vice Chancellor (Ag), Prof Margaret Jesang Hutchinson, and the CEO of Ecomobilus Technologies, Prof Geoffrey Gitau Kamau.
This pioneering initiative introduces the Industrial Chair model at the University, an innovative framework designed to bring together academia, industry and international partners in co-developing relevant curricula, strengthening applied research and accelerating innovation. The model reflects a forward-looking approach to higher education, aligning academic training with industry needs while addressing pressing societal challenges.
This milestone will be under the inaugural Industrial Chair on Clean, Affordable and Reliable Energy (CAREn). The Chair is jointly led by the Faculty of Engineering and the Faculty of Science and Technology. It will focus on critical thematic areas, including energy access, digitalisation and security of energy systems, as well as supply chain and lifecycle management, key pillars in building sustainable and resilient energy solutions.
The partnership with Ecomobilus Technologies is pivotal in advancing the supply chain component of the CAREn Chair. Implementation efforts will be spearheaded by Prof Siphila Mumenya, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, ensuring strong coordination between academic expertise and industry application.
The initiative is further strengthened through international collaboration with CentraleSupélec, a globally recognised engineering institution, alongside strategic support from the Agence Française de Développement (AFD). These partnerships bring global perspectives, technical expertise and capacity-building opportunities that will enrich the Chair’s impact.
Speaking on the development, the Vice Chancellor (Ag), Prof Margaret Jesang Hutchinson, emphasised that the launch of the CAREn Industrial Chair represents a transformative step in positioning the University as a hub for cutting-edge research and innovation. “This also underscores the institution’s commitment to fostering sustainable development through interdisciplinary collaboration and industry engagement,” she added.
This milestone lays a strong foundation for scaling the Industrial Chair model across other Communities of Excellence within the ESC framework. As the University expands this approach, it is poised to strengthen its role as a leader in industry-responsive education, driving solutions that address both national priorities and global challenges.
Ecomobilus Technologies is an innovative firm transforming urban transportation through affordable electric mobility, including retrofitting petrol motorcycles, tuk-tuks and manufacturing electric bikes and mkokoteni (eMkoko).
Through this partnership, the University of Nairobi continues to redefine the nexus between academia and industry, equipping graduates with practical skills, advancing impactful research and contributing meaningfully to sustainable development in Kenya and beyond.
