Kigali conference calls for enhanced collaborations between industry, academia

Regional academics and industry leaders gathered in Kigali, Rwanda, last week for the 13th Academia Public-Private Partnership Forum (APPPF), organized by the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) and the East African Business Council (EABC).

The conference delved into sustainable growth in East Africa in the context of a competitive world, with the discussions focused on addressing the persistent skills mismatch between university education and the evolving demands of the job market. It brought together researchers, innovators, higher education leaders, industry players, and policymakers for three days, from March 12 to 14, 2025. 

“The APPPF plays a pivotal role in bridging the gap between academia and industry, fostering innovation, and driving sustainable development in the region. Through strategic collaborations, we can transform research into impactful solutions, enhance skills development, and build a competitive knowledge economy for East Africa,” said Prof. Gaspard Banyankimbona, Executive Secretary of IUCEA.

The theme of the meeting was Fostering Innovation and Entrepreneurship through University-Industry Partnerships for East Africa’s Sustainable Future.

Ms. Veronica Nduva, East African Community (EAC) Secretary General told the delegates that the EAC Vision 2050 underscores the urgent need to develop a skilled workforce, drive industrialization, enhance agricultural value chains and harness technological innovations. “By fostering strong collaborations between universities and industries, we can equip our youth with the skills, knowledge, and entrepreneurial mindset necessary to transform East Africa into a globally competitive region,” she noted. 

Opening the meeting, the Chief Guest, Hon. Joseph Nsengimana, Minister of Education, Rwanda said that as a nation, Rwanda firmly believes that a well-integrated education system—one that is dynamic, inclusive, and responsive to real-world challenges—is key to unlocking shared prosperity.

“Strong academia-industry partnerships are essential in ensuring that our graduates are not merely job seekers but also job creators and solution providers, driving Africa’s development forward,” he said.

He also officially launched the Research Excellence Framework for Higher Education in East Africa (REFHE-EA) and the IUCEA University-Industry Collaboration Strategy during the opening ceremony of the forum. These initiatives mark a significant step toward strengthening research excellence and fostering deeper collaboration between universities and industries across the region.

Dr. Vincent Gaitho, chair of Education Sector at the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) and Chairman of the university council, Mount Kenya Universtity (MKU)  universities to shift their focus from theoretical research to practical, industry-driven studies. 

“Much of the research conducted in universities today is aimed at academic prestige and promotion, rather than solving real industry problems,” he said, calling for increased collaboration between academia and businesses to ensure research leads to innovation, new products and job creation.

Dr. Gaitho pointed out that the expectations of current employers are sometimes in conflict with those of the current generation of graduands. For instance, there is a clash of hair styles, dress codes, mannerisms and job etiquettes.

“The youth are keen on browsing social media and are constantly on their mobile phones; work may suffer. They are impatient. Employers need to accept, flex and relax some of their etiquette rules,” he said.

Moreover, he underscored the importance of equipping students with soft skills such as leadership, communication, and patience, which are essential in the workplace. 

“How do we induct young workers into jobs? Do they have leadership skills? Communication skills? Do they have the patience of a farmer?  Do they have the practical skills? The youth can say they are not coming to work tomorrow. They live on the fast lane, which is a problem on their performance at that work places,” he added.    

He said there's a need to engage the industry in programme development and review if the universities are to meet the talent requirements of the industry. It is also important to pursue industry relevant research to offer solutions while ensuring new products and services, new markets and new fields. 

“One of the biggest pain points in academia-industry collaboration is program relevance,” Dr. Gaitho noted. 

“Do we develop our programs in isolation, or do we actively involve the industry? Universities must serve as solution providers to businesses and employers, ensuring graduates are well-equipped for the job market.”

He further highlighted the importance of universities engaging industry professionals in curriculum development, research supervision, and mentorship. 

“There are many highly qualified experts in the industry, including PhD holders, who can contribute significantly to academic training. We need to involve them to make education more practical and aligned with real-world demands,” he added.

Universities should also allow engagement of industry champions in contributing to training and supervision while underscoring reliable industry engagement through dual training, internships and apprenticeships. They should also inculcate work ethics and soft skills relevant to work environments to graduates while seeking opportunities to solve industry problems.

During the forum, Prof. Peter Wanderi, Principal Corporate Services and Director, linkages and partnerships at MKU, presented initiatives, which have been implemented across multiple campuses of the institution, including Mount Kigali University (MKU Rwanda). He focused on how universities can promote Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) initiative. 

“As a long-standing UNAI member, MKU previously served as the SDG 10 Hub on Reduced Inequalities (2021–2024) and has now been selected as the SDG 9 Hub Chair (2025–2027), emphasizing Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure. The university aligns its policies, research, and community engagement with the SDGs through various initiatives,” said Prof Wanderi.

Partnerships 

Eng. Kazawadi Papius, President of the Federation of Africa Engineering Organizations (FAEO), decried the absence of a standardized framework for academia-industry partnerships as a major challenge. "If there is no well-established framework to guide how academia and industry should collaborate, there will always be a disconnect. This lack of coordination leads to fragmentation, preventing innovative solutions from reaching businesses,” he said. 

Kazawadi noted that while academic institutions produce great innovations, there is often limited engagement from industry players, particularly small and medium enterprises, to commercialize these ideas. He classified the key skill gaps in graduates using the acronym “HAIR“. Helicopter View, Analysis, Imagination, and Reality.

He said many graduates lack a broad understanding of their industries and companies. 

“They often focus too narrowly on their immediate tasks, missing out on a comprehensive understanding of their sector’s broader dynamics. This limits their ability to anticipate changes and adapt effectively to evolving industry trends,” he added. 

Hamad Hamad, Executive Director of the Zanzibar Chamber of Commerce, underscored the importance of proactive engagement between academia and the private sector. 

“The biggest problem is that we are working in silos. Universities conduct research independently, while businesses operate separately. If neither side takes the first step toward collaboration, the disconnect will persist,” he said. 

Hamad pointed out that bureaucracy in universities, particularly in procurement processes, often discourages private sector partnerships. He also emphasized the need for graduates to develop an entrepreneurial mindset, digital skills, and adaptability to thrive in today’s economy.

“In the digital era, every graduate should be equipped with digital skills that enhance productivity in the workplace,” he stressed.

Also present was the MKU Vice Chancellor, Prof Deogratius Jaganyi and Mount Kigali University VC Dr Martin Kimemia, several other vice chancellors and university heads, professors, as well as captains and chieftains of industry and commerce.