The University of Nairobi’s Engineering and Science Complex (ESC) successfully held its Research Annual Conference on October 21–22, 2025, alongside the University’s Research and Innovation Week 2025. The event brought together researchers, PhD students and academic partners from Kenya and France to showcase ongoing collaborations and share insights on advancing research and innovation within the ESC framework.

The conference highlighted the ESC’s central role in promoting collaborative, interdisciplinary research that connects science, engineering and innovation for societal impact. The conference began with a keynote address delivered by Prof. Marc Zolver, an international expert in industry–academia linkages at the University of Nairobi, during the Research and Innovation Week opening ceremony. Speaking on the Engineering and Science Complex Vision and Architecture, Prof. Zolver underscored the ESC’s ambition to create a vibrant platform that drives research excellence, builds capacity and strengthens partnerships between academia and industry.

This was followed by an engaging discussion by the ESC Pillar Heads, Arch. Jarret Odwallo, Prof. Thomas Ochuku, Prof. David Kariuki, Prof. Jackson Maalu, Prof. Marc Zolver, and Mr John Orindi, who shared notable achievements and upcoming priorities across the ESC pillars. They reflected on the significant progress made under the project, including completion of preliminary studies that will pave the way for the commencement of building works, strengthened research collaborations with French partners and current ongoing initiatives aimed at upgrading the University’s innovation ecosystem.

The discussion also highlighted the development of new curricula under the ESC framework and the successful mobility programs that have enabled exchange and collaboration among faculty members and students.

The discussions during this crucial event also underscored the ESC’s vision of transforming the research landscape by fostering collaboration, promoting innovation, and developing solutions that respond to global and local development needs.