By Faith Wandera, African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) and Ann Numi, African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS)/Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST)
Transforming Climate Innovation Ecosystems through Inclusive Transdisciplinarity (TransCIIT) project
The TransCIIT project aims to support the development of Africa – UK, University Partnerships that build institutional capacity for higher education engagement in entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems in selected African countries. It takes cognizance of the fact that climate change threatens ecosystem services and endangers jobs, often those of the most vulnerable, perpetuating exclusion and inequality. The project will investigate approaches on how to establish strong relations between the full range of actors in Kenya’s Climate Innovation Ecosystem (CIE). Two objectives are embedded in this approach: active participation of young people and women (inclusivity), and productive interactions between academic, practitioner, policymaker and citizen perspectives (transdisciplinarity). Phase 2 of the TransCIIT Project was kicked-off on 3rd January, 2022 and will be concluded on 30th September, 2022. This phase is an ‘action research’ project expected to generate evidence to form the basis for a journal article. Phase 2 comprises five Work Packages (WP); WP1 (Matchmaking pilot); WP2 (Website development); WP3 (Project Legacy); WP4 (Communications); and WP5 (General Project management).
WP1: Matchmaking Pilot
The matching process was concluded quicker than anticipated. Nine entrepreneurs were matched with eight projects (one student was assigned to two entrepreneurs). Prior to the matching, a survey was sent out to the entrepreneurs where they were asked to describe 1-3 issues they needed to be addressed. Issues had to be addressed within the allocated time frame (2 months) and can be addressed by Masters students. An online matchmaking event was then conducted where the students were matched with the entrepreneurs based on their expertise. Students from different disciplines were selected (Energy/ engineering, Marketing, Business, ICT). Management of the project activities is through Project supervision teams. Project mentors and business leads from KCIC have been assigned to the matched projects based on their expertise and background. These are supported by business advisors from Kenya Climate Innovation Centre (KCIC). Supervisory meetings are held regularly to ensure the student activities are monitored and mentored to ensure progress of the matched projects.
WP2: Website development
The TransCIIT Project is setting up a matchmaking website which conforms to specifications by the project team. It will function on multiple devices (computer, tablet or mobile phone). The website will be available for matchmaking by entrepreneurs and students beyond the life of the project. It will communicate learning from the matchmaking pilot and serves as proof-of-concept for adoption post-project.
A website developer was contracted to design and test a matchmaking website, working on the basis of a specification provided by the project team. The website is being developed to be functional, secure and easy to use matchmaking website that can be used on multiple devices (computer, tablet or mobile phone) is developed and tested. The web-based matchmaking tool to be made available for entrepreneurs and postgraduate students to use beyond the life of the project. Matchmaking website is still under development and is to be tested in August 2022.
WP3: Project Legacy
Most activities for this WP occur towards the end of the project, including a showcase of the project outcomes and a next steps event. Part of the Project legacy includes the University of Johannesburg engaging the Centre for Entrepreneurship in South Africa and replicating the project in South Africa (Wits Innovation Hub). The latter has a narrow focus on digital innovation. A next steps meeting with innovation ecosystem stakeholders to be held on 25 August 2022.
WP 4: Communications
One blog is already online: https://www.acts-net.org/foresight-africa-blog/addressing-climate-entrepreneurial-needs-in-kenya-for-transformative-innovation. Another on “TransCIIT project matchmaking event” will be uploaded soon. Other project activities include show case event and next steps events and social media campaigns, and a special report in the electronic and print media.
WP5: General Project Management
A meeting schedule has been developed for use in coordinating progress, supervision and management. Monitoring and evaluation will be based on feedback obtained from the matchmaking process using the tool designed for the Innovation in African Universities, available on HiveBrite. There are preliminary indications of the impending demand for the matchmaking service provided by the TransCIIT Project.
Assessment, challenges and lessons
So far both students and entrepreneurs are satisfied with the project. None of the risks identified during project design have been encountered as yet. The upcoming election on 9th August 2022 is an impending risk that could be mitigated by rescheduling some of the planned events during the period.
Achievements
The project has been able to identify 9 entrepreneurs to be involved in the matchmaking process and project activities through the help of KCIC.
The project worked with Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST), one of the project partners, to identify suitable students to be involved in the matchmaking process and project activities. Masters students in various fields of study (Business, ICT, Marketing, Project management, Energy) were be targeted. A number were identified ahead of the match making activity.
The matched projects commenced in early July. Project mentors and business leads from KCIC have been assigned to respective matched projects. Students have been submitting reports of their progress on a weekly basis.
The development of the matchmaking website is progressing well. The website developer is now making a few changes to the website based on comments received from the project team. Dry runs of the functionality and security of the website to be done soon. Website to be open for matchmaking after dry runs and approval from the project team.
The project team have developed 2 blogs (1 blog uploaded to the ACTS website, the other one to be uploaded soon). The other blogs are under development.
Challenges
The project has experienced some delays. First, two of the project members recently suffered close family bereavements and this impacted their ability to participate in the early part of phase 2. Other project members stepped in to mitigate this disruption but there was a delay in getting the project fully underway. Second, COVID-19 and other health-related impacts have played a part in delaying the setting up of the finance arrangements for the project. Specifically, finance staff at Sussex have been affected, delaying the setup of the collaboration agreement and budget. These processes are now being progressed. This delay will however not impact the planned deliverables.
Other challenges include miscommunication of the project provisions to the entrepreneurs. Some entrepreneurs have requested for financial support to address their current challenges. This issue have been cleared out by the project team. Another issue to do with project timelines. Some students have highlighted the need to extend the timeline of the matched projects. This issue was discussed in the latest progress meeting.
Emerging lessons
Overall Project timelines are too tight, especially considering the period for contracting, which is lengthy, administratively expensive, and could potentially paralyse activities.
Specific lessons learnt so far during project implementation; 1) One month may be too short to implement matched projects depending on issues to be addressed; 2) Expectations of entrepreneurs on what the project has to offer need to be managed; and 3) The project needs to clearly articulate what the students deliverables.
An opportunity to collaborate with “Accelerating strategic collaborations between African Universities and the private sector to drive more research-backed innovations initiative” has been identified.
What lies ahead?
No data has been generated yet but it is forthcoming on: the success of the matched projects; entrepreneur/student experiences; benefits of matchmaking (Innovation Ecosystem perspective; and institutionalisation an national level. No recommendations or conclusions have been generated yet, but these will be provided in the last quarter.
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