Bio-KE Deepens Institutional Ties and Youth Engagement on Day Two of High-Level Talks

The high-level deliberations, held during the ongoing Bio-KE visit, brought together university leaders, international scholars, and research funders to align higher education, policy, and enterprise with the country’s sustainable development agenda. The morning session was graced by the Chief Executive Officer of the National Research Fund, Prof. Dickson Andala, whose participation underscored the central role of research financing and innovation support in driving Kenya’s bioeconomy strategy.

Discussions centered on how institutions of higher learning can play a more active role in curriculum development, research partnerships, and the growth of bioeconomy innovation ecosystems. Participants emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between academia, government, and industry to ensure that biological resources are utilized sustainably while generating economic opportunities.

Prof. Rewe highlighted Bio-KE’s commitment to co-creating a National Bioeconomy Education Framework aimed at equipping universities with competency-based curricula tailored to emerging green industries. He noted that universities are pivotal in translating national policy ambitions into practical skills, impactful research outputs, and enterprise development.

Prof. Lewandowski, an expert in bioeconomy systems and sustainable biomass development, reaffirmed the University of Hohenheim’s commitment to sharing international best practices and supporting context-specific solutions for Kenya’s bioeconomy landscape. Dr. Winkler echoed the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration, observing that successful bioeconomy transitions depend on strong linkages among academia, government, private sector actors, and local communities.

The day concluded with a mentorship programme for students, where the visiting scholars and project leaders engaged young innovators in discussions on global bioeconomy trends, climate-smart agriculture, entrepreneurship, and research opportunities. The interactive session encouraged students to view themselves not merely as learners, but as future leaders and entrepreneurs in Kenya’s green transition reinforcing Bio-KE’s commitment to nurturing youth-driven innovation within a resilient bio-based economy.