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Kenya Network of
Entrepreneurial Institutions Leaders

Towards a stronger university-led innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem in Kenya

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ABOUT KNEIL

Towards a stronger university-led innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem in Kenya

Kenya Network of Entrepreneurial Institutions' Leaders (KNEIL) Unveiled

The Kenya Network of Entrepreneurial Institutions Leaders (KNEIL) is a platform for institutional leaders to discuss, co-design and drive solutions to challenges of entrepreneurial and innovation prospects of institutions. KNEIL is created to encourage & grow institutions' potential to develop, promote, nurture and drive sustainable innovation & entrepreneurial ecosystems within the institutions and by extension the country.

A vibrant community of transformative entrepreneurial institutions.
To catalyse the maturity of the entrepreneurial and innovation potential of institutions of higher learning by leveraging their collective knowledge capacity for national socio-economic transformation.
PURPOSE OF KNEIL

KNEIL is created to encourage & grow institutions' potential to develop, promote, nurture and drive sustainable innovation & entreprenuerial ecosystems within the institutions and by extension the country.

Enhance peer learning, capacity, collaboration, and evaluation to advance higher institutional initiatives that promote innovation and entrepreneurship
Strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystems within and around universities that integrate teaching and learning, research, academic staff and students through strategic partnerships, programs, and initiatives
Aid national and regional efforts to strengthen institutional arrangements that drive innovations and entrepreneurship for job and wealth creation, as well as competitiveness in the global stage
Champion the transformation of institutions of higher learning into entrepreneurial institutions by addressing the attitude and culture barriers to unlocking the effectiveness of the institutions.
Champion the identification and development of specialisations at ecosystem and institutional levels. Actively engage stakeholders to champion appropriate policies and secure necessary resources for the growth of these niche areas of speciality.
KeNIA CEO, Dr. Tonny Omwansa highlighting operations of the network
Prof. Stephen Kiama, The Council Chair opening the floor for the meeting to commence
Monica Blagescu - Head of Programmes, Higher Education ยท British Council, speaking during the launch
Prof. Eric Koech - VC, Kabianga University among other VCs at the KNEIL meeting
With attention, everyone leaned forward, absorbing the speaker's intriguing words.
Micah Shako - CEO, Tsavo Innovation Lab making a presentaton on KeNIA's strategic plan for universities

Governing Council

These are heads of institutions willing to pull together, share expertise or resources and work to develop specific initiatives to kick off the network.

Prof. Stephen Kiama
Prof. Stephen Kiama
University of Nairobi
Council Chairperson
Prof. Laban Ayiro
Prof. Laban Ayiro
Daystar University
Council Vice Chairperson
Prof. Samuel Gudu
Prof. Samuel Gudu
Rongo University
Council Member
Prof. Robert Gateru
Prof. Robert Gateru
Riara University
Council Member
Prof. Ndirangu Kioni
Prof. Peter N Muchiri
Dedan Kimathi University of Technology
Council Member
Prof. Wilson K. Kipng'eno
PROF. Eric Koech, PH.D., MBS
University of Kabianga
Council Member
Prof. Jacob Kibwage
Prof. Jacob Kibwage
Egerton University
Council Member
Prof. Jacob Kibwage
Prof. Emily Achieng
Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Technology
Council Member
Prof. Jacob Kibwage
Prof. Peninah Aloo Obudho
Maasai Mara University
Council Member
Dr. Tonny Omwansa
Dr. Tonny Omwansa
Kenya National Innovation Agency
Council Secretary

Joining the Network

While university leaders are at the heart of the network, other members could be admitted, including but not limited to private sector, TVETs and development organisations.
Membership is voluntary but requires a level of commitment that brings value to the network.

Founding Member Institutions

Kenya National Innovation Agency

Kenya National Innovation Agency
Daystar University

Daystar University
University of Kabianga

University of Kabianga
The Lemelson Foundation

The Lemelson Foundation
Dedan Kimathi University of Technology

Dedan Kimathi University of Technology
Riara University

Riara University
Commission for University Education

Commission for University Education
Maseno University

Maseno University
Egerton University

Egerton University
Heifer International

Heifer International
Rongo University

Rongo University
Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology

Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology
Catholic University of Eastern Africa

Catholic University of Eastern Africa
University of Nairobi

University of Nairobi
Meru University of Science and Technology

Meru University of Science and Technology
British Council

British Council
British High Commission

British High Commission

Why Join the Network?

01
Access to local and global networks

Access to other networks within the country and beyond, as well as stakeholders in private sector and development circles who have resources, experiences, capacities that compliment or advance what KNEIL is championing

02
Peer learning and evaluation

Opportunity to contribute to nurturing harmonization of processes, peer learning and evaluation, and benchmarking with global best practices in the areas of innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem development for universities

03
Co-creation and knowledge sharing

A platform for institution leaders to co-create mechanisms that catalyse and speed innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystems while building a body of knowledge and resources on tackling challenges, exploiting best practices and understanding new trends

04
Access to shared resources

Prospects to tap into shared resources developed by the network such as Technical Assistance, Technology Transfer Office as a Service among others.

05
Affiliation to relevant Government entities

Affiliation to KeNIA and other entities such as University Funding Board, Commission of University Education, Directorate of University Education at the Ministry of Education and others being part of GoK a necessary requirement by many development partners

06
Access to partner funding

Leveraging on the collective capacity to attract or access individuals, partners, funders, or resources that would have been typically hard to achieve individually.

07
Publicity and Media Coverage

Opportunity to quantify and publicise work being done within individual institutions and its contribution to the wider national ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship, particularly through publications to be produced by the network

Membership

Types of Membership

University Membership
Private and public Universities/Higher Education Institutions in Kenya form the core of membership of the network.
Decision on application details and membership fee to be made by the Governing Council at the right time.
Government Representative Membership
These are Government Departments or Agencies that have a linkage with education sector and potentially keen on developing entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystems in universities.
There will be no membership fees for Government representation.
Private Sector Membership
These are Private Sector Companies who have a linkage with education, entrepreneurship or innovation sub-sectors and are keen to collaborate with entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystems in universities. Institutions from outside Kenya may be considered by the council on a case-by-case basis.
Decision on application details and membership fee to be made by the Governing Council at the right time.
Development Partners Membership
These are Development Partners who have a linkage with education, entrepreneurship or innovation sub-sectors and are keen to collaborate with entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystems in universities. Institutions from outside Kenya may be considered by the council on a case-by-case basis.
Decision on application details and membership fee to be made by the Governing Council at the right time.
Individual Membership
These are Individuals who have a linkage with education, entrepreneurship or innovation sub-sectors and are keen to collaborate with entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystems in universities.
Decision on application details and membership fee to be made by the Governing Council at the right time.
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