Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KOTDA) has partnered with the Thunderbird school of Global management (Thunderbird/ASU) to support the development of the knowledge economy in Kenya.
The two institutions received a number one ranking of innovation in the United States and will look to set up a global partnership that’s one of a kind, whose main focus shall be on smart cities among other youth empowerment programs.
Ministry of Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed witnessed the signing of the MoU.
The move will also pave way to technological capacity building programs, ICT skills development and creative economy in the fourth industrial revolution.
“We have signed this MoU to lay a very strong foundation for us to get engaged. At Konza, we are seeking to get partners, the very best from across the world to lay the right foundation for Konza Technopolis to achieve its vision of being among the leading global innovation hub. For us to succeed in ICT, Engineering and Life Sciences, we need like-minded partners in these spaces,” said Eng. John Tanui, CEO of Konza Technopolis.
The partnership will further improve the education sector and will Konza to gain access on the best talents as well as programs, thus enhancing assistance of start-ups and key stakeholders in the innovation ecosystem.
Director general and Dean of Thunderbird/ASU, Sanjeev Khagaram said the partnership will help boost their impact on technology and innovation.
“The institutions’ main focus in the partnership will be accredited to various sectors, including management, engineering and leadership, as well as space technology and exploration,” said Khagaram.
In a bid to support the country’s expansion into a newly industrialized economy, KOTDA is looking to develop the Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST).
The graduate-only university will be able to give provision on focused training and research that will be within various cutting edge engineering technologies and advanced science disciplines.
