President William Ruto has challenged institutions of higher learning across the country to think outside the box by exploring partnerships and collaborations to raise funds in education and research.

The president said innovations at institutions of higher learning are a sure way of equipping the youth with knowledge, skills and income generating ventures through the digital economy, but this can only be achieved if universities invest in their assets such as research and training.

The President — who spoke at State House during the launch of the University of Nairobi’s Silicon Savanah Innovation Park — said his government is focusing on sectors that are intentional about creating jobs for young people such as housing, labour export and digital technology.

While acknowledging that more than half of young people who complete university education are unemployed, the President highlighted that this transformative initiative aligns with the government’s digital jobs agenda to combat unemployment, equip youth with the right skills and drive inclusive economic growth.

President Ruto also pointed out that the innovation park aligns the country as a global hub for technology and innovation as well as a path to actively participate in the 5th Industrial Revolution.

French Minister of State for Francophonie and International Partnerships Thani Mohamed Soilih lauded partnership between Kenya and France, adding that this is the largest investment by French government to higher education and research in Africa at a tune of 35 million euros.

Soilih emphasized on the need for more Public Private Partnerships in such projects in order to unlock the potential in institutions of learning.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said this project will create an incubator for innovators, innovations, and donors, therefore, a need to emulate such initiatives in other institutions of higher learning across the country.

University of Nairobi Chancellor Professor Patrick Verkooijen defined this project as a game changer in youth employment through research and innovation hubs.

Professor Verkooijen, however, decried insufficient human resources and staff renumeration as major challenges to the institution advancing to the next level academically.

He committed that this project is a path for the institution to regain its glory and rankings globally.