Masters of Innovation & Entrepreneurship – Origin Research & Innovation Labs

Registration open

Origin as a key industry partner. Origin creates the environment for the student-entrepreneur to succeed in his or her business ventures. At admission, Origin provides the student-entrepreneur with the tools and a platform to identify a great innovation by effectively scoping challenges whose solution have a potential for scaling up. Furthermore, students can enhance their chance of succeeding by selecting challenges from Origin’s list of transformative value chains that it has identified and developed over time; Origin can facilitate the student-entrepreneur to solve and implement solutions that are in its list of challenges. Subsequently, Origin brings on-board outstanding entrepreneurs to serve as role models, mentors and speakers; it runs a global network of top-tier entrepreneurship and innovation academics from Africa and diaspora to teach topics and/or units, supervise and mentor the student-entrepreneur; Origin organizes innovation and entrepreneurial activities including talks, seminars, workshops, and exhibitions, events; and very importantly, it arranges events to expose entrepreneurs to sources of capital: viz., equity funds, banks, angel investors and venture capitalist; Origin provides a platform for showcasing innovations.

If you are an entrepreneur with limited time to commit to a full degree program you can enhance your knowledge, experience and business connections by enrolling for a module at the end of which you will earn a micro credential. Once you register for a module you will benefit from guest lectures and business events organized for MIE.

You can also earn microcredentials by enrolling for just a few course units instead of a full module; for example, a certificate in Open Innovation or Strategic Foresight.

You can qualify for a Master degree by accumulating the minimum number of credits of the taught course units and, in addition, developing and launching a supervised venture

Prof. Paul Ndirangu Kioni is an accomplished engineer and academic leader with a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Nairobi and a PhD in Engineering from Cambridge University. He has completed postdoctoral research in Japan and Germany, and is a professional engineer, a member of the Institution of Engineers of Kenya, and Kenya’s Institute of Directors. With extensive experience in higher education leadership, he is the founding Vice-Chancellor of Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (DeKUT), where he now heads the Research-Innovation and Entrepreneurship Education Office and serves as a Professor of Thermo-fluids. Prof. Kioni’s leadership was instrumental in the establishment and growth of DeKUT, guiding it to become a leading University of Technology, housing 26 research centers, 70+ partnerships, and Kenya’s first National Science and Technology Park. He has published over 60 peer-reviewed papers and supervised 14 Master’s and 5 PhD students. He is also the Lead of the UN Economic Commission for Africa’s Origin Research and Innovation Labs in East Africa and the Patron of Kenya’s Council of Engineering Deans. His work in promoting knowledge generation and technology transfer has positioned him as a key figure in advancing innovation and entrepreneurship in Africa. He brings to the program his vast experience in entrepreneurship and management, and connections in academia, government, and industry.

Prof. Paul Ndirangu Kioni

Origin Research & Innovation Lab Lead

Dr James Wakiru holds a PhD in Industrial Engineering from University of Leuven, Belgium, a Master of Science degree from DeKUT, and MBA from Kenyatta University, and Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. He is a senior lecturer in the Mechanical Engineering Department, School of Engineering at Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (DeKUT) with extensive industrial experience. His focus areas are industrial engineering, production design, entrepreneurship, and innovation. He is also the course coordinator of the master’s in industrial engineering and management course at the university, the Director of the Startup and Incubation Centre (DeSIC), and the director of the Center for Industrial Productivity and Engineering (CIPE). Dr Wakiru was pivotal in establishing the Origin Research and Innovation Labs. Dr. Wakiru leads the University’s Start-Up Committee, scouting entrepreneurial innovations and aiding start-up establishments. He excels in pitching business ideas, vetting potential start-ups, and providing advisory support. Additionally, he specializes in identifying intellectual property and offering guidance on IP protection and financial support for start-up concepts. Dr. Wakiru is a certified project manager who has focused significantly on entrepreneurship, innovation, and commercialization.

Dr James Wakiru

Senior Lecturer, Mechanical Engineering Department, School of Engineering

Prof. David Kiragu is an associate professor in the Department of Business Management at the Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, and he has over twenty (20) years of experience in senior management and leadership positions in public and private institutions. He is a holder of a PhD degree in Business Administration from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, a Certified Public Accountant (CPA-K), a member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK), a Member of Project Management International Member (PMI) and Internal Auditors (IIA). Among many administrative assignments he has held include associate dean and dean of the School of Business Management & Economics (Dedan Kimathi University of Technology), general manager finance, administration & planning (Kenya National Farmers Federation), regional finance & administration (Eastern Africa Grain Council), chief accountant (United States International University-Africa), auditor (Ernst & Young) among others. He has served as an academic leader for a Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration & Management, Master of Business Administration, Bachelor of Commerce, and Bachelor of Business Administration. He has served in several University Committees aimed at enhancing effectiveness, efficiency, partnerships & collaborations in response to the University’s strategic plan. He has wide experience in research and taught, supervised, and mentored many postgraduate students at the master’s and doctorate levels. Further, he has served as an external examiner in public and private universities in Kenya, reasonably published in peer-reviewed journals, and supervised many students at the postgraduate level. He consults in diverse areas of business: strategic management, human capital management, corporate finance strategy, project management, operational governance and assurance, and forensic investigations.

Prof. David Kiragu

Associate Professor, Department of Business Management

She is a distinguished entrepreneurship education trainer and researcher with over 15 years of experience in curriculum design, accreditation, and program administration in Kenya’s university and TVET sectors. She has a strong background in teaching and supervising programs in entrepreneurship, accounting, and economics, where she has made significant contributions to entrepreneurship education in Kenya. Dr. Kagondu is a member of the university’s Start-Up Committee, where she identifies and supports innovative entrepreneurial projects by students and staff. Her expertise includes pitching business ideas, vetting potential startups, and providing support in intellectual property protection and financial management. She applies design thinking methodologies to help startups achieve product-market fit, ensuring their sustainable growth

Dr. Rosemary Kagondu

Start-Up Committee

She holds a PhD in Business Administration and Management, a master’s in business administration (Financial Management), and a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting). With over 15 years of academic experience, published in peer-reviewed journals, contributing to innovation and enterprise development. She also serves as an external examiner for business management research for a doctoral program. As a senior lecturer, she is biased towards enterprise management and business growth. This stems from her interests in impact assessment analysis of enterprises engaged in community development, capacity building through social entrepreneurship, value addition research, change management, and continuous business improvement. Dr. Anita’s elation comes from mentoring graduate students involved in vibrant research, supporting them in publishing, and getting them to participate in scientific conferences. As a personal philosophy, she is committed to programmes geared towards enhancing knowledge acquisition.

Dr. Anita Wachira

Senior Lecturer, Business Administration and Management

Dr Julius Gatune is a policy analyst and a futurist. He is the UNESCO Chair of Future Literacy Laboratory and Associate Professor of Anticipatory Socio-Technical Systems at Dedan Kimathi University of Science and Technology (DeKUT). He is also a Senior Project Consultant and Assistant Professor with the Maastricht School of Management (MSM), Netherlands. He is also a Senior Fellow with the African Centre for Economic Transformation (ACET). Dr Gatune has previously worked at McKinsey & Co as a management consultant (at Johannesburg South Africa office). He also worked at the Frederick S. Pardee Centre for Study Longer Range Futures at Boston University and the Frederick S Pardee Centre for International Futures at the University of Denver. He is an editor with the Journal of Future Studies. He was also part of the inaugural World Economic Forum Global Strategic Foresight Community (GFSC). He holds a Ph. D in Policy Analysis for the Pardee RAND Graduate School in California USA, and Masters in Computer Science from the University of Cambridge, UK. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (First Class Honors) and an MBA from the University of Nairobi, Kenya.

Dr. Julius Gatune

UNESCO Chair of Future Literacy Laboratory and Associate Professor of Anticipatory Socio-Technical Systems

She is a Senior Lecturer and Dean School of Business Management and Economics at Dedan Kimathi University of Technology. She holds a Masters and PhD degree in Human Resource and Leadership Development from Louisiana State University, USA. Anne has considerable experience in teaching and research as well as supervision of postgraduate students in the area of human capital planning and management, human resource development, leadership development, employee relations, organizational behavior, strategic management and analysis, among others. She has also been involved in consultancy and collaborations with both public and private organizations in areas such as training, strategic plan development, training needs assessment, and mentorship. She co-chaired the committee that reviewed and developed the University’s strategic plan and participated in drafting a proposal for the Science and Technology Park strategy. Outside the University, she has served as lead consultant in developing strategic plans for several organizations including Vetlab Sports Club, Nyeri club among others. She has also carried out other consultancy work with various organizations among them Nyeri County Cooperative Societies and several other counties in Kenya. Anne is a team player; she works well with diverse people, has excellent organizational skills and does her work meticulously. Dr. Kagondu is a member of the university’s Start-Up Committee, where she identifies and supports innovative entrepreneurial projects by students and staff. Her expertise includes pitching business ideas, vetting potential startups, and providing support in intellectual property protection and financial management. She applies design thinking methodologies to help startups achieve product-market fit, ensuring their sustainable growth.

Dr. Anne Sang

Senior Lecturer and Dean School of Business Management and Economics

Born in West Africa, Yoporeka Somet studied in Burkina Faso (Philosophy), France (Philosophy, Sociology, Egyptology) and Senegal (Egyptology). He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology, a PhD in Philosophy (University of Strasbourg, France), and another in Egyptology (Cheikh Anta Diop University, Senegal). He is a professor at Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (Institute of General Studies) and the director of the Centre for African Renaissance Studies. He has published several articles and books, including Ancient Egypt: An African Word System (in French), King Khoufou and his Magicians, and co-authored The Instructions of Ptahhotep. The world’s oldest service guide for state officials… His research is mainly oriented toward a better understanding of the legacy of Ancient Egypt (Kemet) through its writing and language, knowledge, myths, religion, socio-political organization, material culture, etc., and their reappropriation in the contemporary African context.

Prof. Yoporeka Somet

Professor, Institute of General Studies

Professor. Prof. Thairu is the Founder Chairman of the Board of Management at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and currently serves as an adjunct Professor of Neurophysiology at the School of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi. He studied at Makerere University and University College London, where he earned his degree in Medicine and a PhD in Neurophysiology. Prof. Thairu has held various significant roles both locally and internationally, including Chairman of the Highland State College Board, President of the African Sports Management Board, Chairman of the Commission for Higher Education, and Vice Chancellor of the Presbyterian University of East Africa. 2010, he was honored as a National Hero of the Republic of Kenya.

Prof. Kihumbu Thairu

Founder Chairman of the Board of Management at the Kenya Medical Research Institute

Tufts University, is a seasoned professional with extensive expertise in climate change, renewable energy policy, energy transition, net-zero initiatives, and agricultural development in adaptation and mitigation contexts. Proven track record of success in policy analysis, programme management, coordination, and leadership roles, focusing on African countries. Demonstrated ability to develop and implement evidence-based policies and programmes that foster sustainable development, enhance resilience, and address climate risks. In-depth understanding of climate change and energy policies, coupled with hands-on experience in renewable energy policy analysis and formulation. Skilled in conducting comprehensive research and analysis, employing diverse qualitative and quantitative research methods to derive evidence-based recommendations. Highly motivated and adaptable, thriving in dynamic and fast-paced environments while excelling in independent work. Committed to ethical research practices and social responsibility, with a strong emphasis on equity and social justice. Proficient in project management and leadership, adept at successfully leading and coordinating complex initiatives involving multiple teams and stakeholders. Excellent communication and collaboration skills, fostering productive engagement with diverse stakeholders and establishing strong partnerships to drive effective policy implementation.He holds a Ph. D in Policy Analysis for the Pardee RAND Graduate School in California USA, and Masters in Computer Science from the University of Cambridge, UK. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (First Class Honors) and an MBA from the University of Nairobi, Kenya.

Abay Ezra Yimere

Tuts University

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Professor of Science, Technology & Society; Member, UNESCO World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology (COMEST), 2024-2027. Prof Chakanetsa Mavhunga is a renowned author, with his latest book, “ Dare To Invent the Future: Knowlege in the Service of and through Problem-solving MIT Press Global South Cosmologies & Epistemologies Series (2023) ”His other book “The Mobile Workshop: The Tsetse Fly and African Knowledge Production” (MIT Press, 2018), explores African science and technology. His professional interests encompass the history, theory, and practice of science, technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship, focusing on Africa. Mavhunga joined MIT as an assistant professor in 2008 after completing his PhD at the University of Michigan. He authored “Transient Workspaces: Technologies of Everyday Innovation in Zimbabwe” (MIT Press, 2014), which received honorable mentions for the Turku and Herskovits prizes 2015. His edited volume, “What Do Science, Technology, and Innovation Mean from Africa?” examines STI in Africa from various disciplinary perspectives. His current project investigates African modes of chemistry, particularly using plant, animal, and mineral materials as poisons and medicines.Dr. Kagondu is a member of the university’s Start-Up Committee, where she identifies and supports innovative entrepreneurial projects by students and staff. Her expertise includes pitching business ideas, vetting potential startups, and providing support in intellectual property protection and financial management. She applies design thinking methodologies to help startups achieve product-market fit, ensuring their sustainable growth.

Prof. Chakanetsa Mavhunga

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Professor of Science, Technology & Society; Member, UNESCO World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology

Master of Innovation and Entrepreneurship is a degree of DeKUT. MIE is offered at DeKUT with Origin as one of the key partners.

The programme comprises thirteen Core taught Units and Four (4) Phased Venture Projects, spread over four academic semesters, and organized in the following four Modules.

Venture Foundation

Building for Growth

Scaling to Market

Scaling for Success

Faculty

Curriculum

Global Cohort

Delivery & Structure

Micro-credentials

MIE support Team from Origin Research and Innovation Labs .