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In a strategic consultation the Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Research, Innovation, and Enterprise (RIE), Prof. Margaret Jesang Hutchinson, welcomed acclaimed Finnish biopharmaceutical nanotechnology expert Professor Marjo Yliperttula from the University of Helsinki to solidify a framework targeted at advanced biochemical research, intellectual property development, and enterprise.

The DVC described this move as a vital institutional evolution, emphasizing that while the University has a strong legacy in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines, the social sciences should also be taken seriously because of their significance in promoting the sustainable transformation of communities. Social innovation in this context refers to innovation that is "social in both means and ends," where ideas are generated by the community and the proceeds are reinvested back into it.

Title:Mental Health Award: Using physical activity and circadian-based interventions to reduce anxiety and depression in young people

This strategic document, supported by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), provides a blueprint for a more structured and accountable research ecosystem. By officiating this launch, the Prime Cabinet Secretary signaled the government’s support for mainstreaming science into the public discourse.

Why this Masterplan Matters:

The event brought together over 5,000 stakeholders, including government leaders, global ambassadors, academia, the research community, industry giants, and members of the public. Our university’s participation underscored commitment to the "quadruple helix model," where academia, government, industry, and the community collaborate to turn research into jobs, products, and policies.

This week, the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) has transformed into a bustling hub of energy, ideas, and groundbreaking technology. The inaugural Science, Technology, Research, and Innovation for Society (STRI4Society) Week 2026 is in full swing, attracting thousands of researchers, policymakers, industry leaders, and young innovators from around the world.

Unlike traditional academic settings, MDU’s identity is defined by its intense collaboration with world-class local industries such as ABB, Hitachi, and Volvo leading to unparalleled access to a robust research and innovation ecosystem while providing a model for training students for future-ready roles. The institution is widely recognised as Sweden’s leading "collaboration university," having some of the strongest ties to the private sector and industry of any school in the country.  

Acting Deputy Vice‑Chancellor Professor Leonidah Kerubo, representing the Vice‑Chancellor, Prof. Margaret Hutchinson, welcomed the delegation led by Mr. He Chunzheng, Vice Chairperson of the Huaqiao University Council. The meeting held on 27 April 2026 at the University’s Main Campus discussed plans to deepen collaboration in student and faculty mobility, joint research, and programmatic alignment including 2+2 dual‑degree pathways.

The visit served to honor past successes while laying the groundwork for a renewed partnership agreement focused on global competitiveness and commercialization.

The workshop was convened primarily to onboard researchers into collaborative ecosystems designed to dismantle traditional academic silos. The University’s Director of Research and Enterprise, Prof. Thomas Ochuku Mbuya,  also leading the Sustainability Cluster, highlighted that by integrating research clusters, the University is "not just producing papers, but building a thriving ecosystem to provide the intellectual power needed for national development”.