Agricultural Linkages Workshop to Strengthen Academia-Industry Synergy
The University of Nairobi, through its Faculty of Agriculture, hosted a landmark Agricultural Industrial Linkages Workshop at the Kantaria Agricultural Technology and Innovation Centre (KATIC), Upper Kabete Campus on July 18, 2025, bringing together stakeholders from academia and industry to chart a new path for agricultural education and innovation in Kenya.
Themed "Strengthening Industrial and Academic Partnerships," the workshop served as a platform to bridge the gap between university training and industry needs, particularly in the agricultural sector. The event was graced by Dr. Esther Muoria, Principal Secretary, State Department for Technical and Vocational Education and Training, Ministry of Education, as the Chief Guest. Also present was the Vice Chancellor, Prof Margaret Hutchinson and Elgon Kenya Ltd Managing Director, Dr. Bimal Kantaria.
Speaking during the event, Dr. Muoria commended the University of Nairobi and Elgon Kenya Ltd. for establishing KATIC, a national centre of excellence that exemplifies the government’s vision for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). “KATIC demonstrates how targeted partnerships can produce the kind of graduates Kenya needs — innovative, practical, and industry-ready,” she noted.
Prof. Hutchinson reiterated the institution’s commitment to transforming higher education by aligning academic training with real-world agricultural needs. “We are changing the narrative. Through KATIC, we aim to produce holistic graduates who are not only knowledgeable but also skilled and entrepreneurial. Agriculture is the future, and our youth must be empowered to lead in this space,” she said.
Dr. Bimal Kantaria, Managing Director of Elgon Kenya Ltd., emphasized the importance of such collaborations in addressing Kenya’s skills gap in agriculture. “Industry is ready to work with academia. What we are doing here at KATIC is creating a space where ideas can be tested, solutions can be co-created, and students can become job creators, not job seekers,” he remarked.
The workshop brought together representatives from 18 universities across Kenya, underscoring the national significance of the initiative. Attendees engaged in discussions on curriculum alignment, joint research, innovation incubation, and sustainable models for industry-academia partnerships.
KATIC is a public-private partnership between the University of Nairobi and Elgon Kenya Ltd, the country’s largest supplier of agricultural inputs. The centre is a model for engaging youth in agriculture, innovation, and entrepreneurship, offering a dynamic environment for students to gain hands-on experience with modern agricultural technologies.
As the host institution, the University of Nairobi pledged to make KATIC accessible to all students nationwide. The centre is envisioned as a collaborative hub where academic institutions and industry players can interact continuously to co-develop solutions that address Kenya’s agricultural challenges.
The Agricultural Industrial Linkages Workshop marked a pivotal moment in Kenya’s efforts to revitalise agricultural education. By strengthening ties between universities and industry through centres like KATIC, the University of Nairobi is leading the way in redefining the future of agriculture, one that is youth-driven, innovation-led and responsive to national development goals.
