The 13th edition of the Academia Public-Private Partnership Forum (APPPF-2025) is currently underway in Kigali, Rwanda, from March 12-14, 2025, with a key focus on “Fostering Innovation and Entrepreneurship through University-Industry Partnerships for East Africa’s Sustainable Future.” The event, which gathers leading figures from academia, industry, and government, serves as a crucial platform for advancing collaboration between these sectors to address the evolving needs of the region. UMU as an institution committed to innovation, research, and sustainable development in East Africa, is proud to have a strong presence at the Forum. The UMU delegation, led by Vice Chancellor Prof. Patrick Kyamanywa, is actively engaged in the dialogues and workshops designed to strengthen the link between universities and the private sector.
The APPPF-2025 kicked off with an impactful opening ceremony that set the stage for deep discussions on the future of education, research, and innovation in the region. Prof. Gaspard Banyankimbona, the Executive Secretary of the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA), welcomed participants and set a tone of collaboration. He emphasized the importance of developing comprehensive policies and frameworks that can drive regional innovation and sustainable economic growth.
Hon. Joseph Nsengimana, Rwanda’s Minister of Education, delivered an official launch of two key initiatives: the REFHE-EA (Rwanda Education and Future Employment – East Africa) initiative and the IUCEA University-Industry Collaboration Strategy. These initiatives are designed to enhance the partnership between universities and the private sector, creating pathways for greater employment opportunities, innovation, and research commercialization across East Africa.
The Forum serves as an important meeting point for stakeholders from East African Community (EAC) member states, featuring representatives from industry sectors, academic institutions, innovation hubs, and development partners. By bringing these groups together, the Forum seeks to discuss how universities and industries can collaborate to foster entrepreneurial spirit, generate impactful research, and promote sustainable growth within the region. During the event, the UMU is playing a central role in discussions that focus on how higher education institutions can better align their research and teaching with the needs of the private sector. The university’s contributions underscore the importance of universities as hubs of innovation, capable of addressing regional challenges through research and entrepreneurial ventures.
A pivotal moment during the Forum was the official launch of the REFHE-EA initiative, aimed at fostering education and employment linkages within the East African region. This initiative focuses on bridging the gap between educational institutions and the evolving demands of the workforce, ensuring that graduates are equipped with the skills and knowledge required to thrive in the dynamic regional job market. Additionally, the IUCEA University-Industry Collaboration Strategy was unveiled as a significant step towards creating a formalized partnership between academia and industry across East Africa. This strategy is designed to create synergies that promote collaborative research, the commercialization of innovations, and the development of sustainable business models that benefit both universities and industries alike.
The Forum features a range of distinguished speakers who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience in education, policy-making, and private sector engagement. Notable keynote speakers included Prof. Gaspard Banyankimbona, Dr. Sylvance Okoth, the Executive Secretary of EASTECO, and other experts representing the East African Community (EAC) Secretariat.
Dr. Okoth, in his address, stressed the importance of creating an integrated, regional approach to innovation, ensuring that public sector policies actively support the university-private sector collaborations necessary for economic development. He emphasized that regional integration and cooperation are key to overcoming challenges such as unemployment, technological gaps, and sustainable growth.
The 13th Academia Public-Private Partnership Forum (APPPF-2025) went beyond showcasing academic programs—it was a critical space for strengthening the bonds of educational cooperation within East Africa. UMU, alongside other leading institutions, played a central role in deepening the region’s collaborative efforts to advance higher education. By participating in the Forum, UMU helped reaffirm the shared commitment between universities, industries, and governments to increase access to high-quality education across East Africa. These partnerships are essential in expanding opportunities for students to pursue academic excellence in institutions that are dedicated to innovation, sustainability, and the future growth of the region.