Innovation Fellowship Kicks Off with First Session

This morning, fellows from diverse educational backgrounds and disciplines gathered at C4DLab for the first session of the Innovation Fellowship, following its official launch last week. The session began with team-building exercises outdoors, designed to strengthen collaboration, communication, and active listening—key skills for innovation.

The day began with a brief session at the Lab characterized by introductory remarks and spelling out of the day’s agenda by Dr. Ruhiu, the entrepreneurhsip and innovation lead in the Afretec programme, assisted by Mr. Peter Oketch. Mr. Oketch then guided the outdoor activities outside the C4DLab, helping participants know each other’s strengths. They also formed teams and began the process of building connections.

Eng. Kimani also took the fellows through preliminary motions, outlining what to expect as the program gets underway. His insights provided a clear roadmap for the journey ahead, ensuring participants are well-prepared for the immersive experience. The other facilitator present during the activities was Dr. Anne Pulei from the Faculty of Health Sciences.

Once the activities were completed, the fellows returned to the lab, where after going through principles and stages of team formation facilitated by Dr. Ruhiu, five teams were officially formed, each taking time to discuss their initial strategies and how they would work together throughout the fellowship.

The program places a strong emphasis on Design Thinking and Problem-Based Learning, equipping fellows with practical tools to approach complex challenges and develop creative solutions.

Unlike traditional training initiatives, the Innovation Fellowship is designed for students—not faculty—offering them hands-on exposure to cutting-edge methodologies. Through mentorship, collaborative projects, and practical workshops, fellows will gain deeper insights into innovation and problem-solving, preparing them to apply these principles in real-world settings.

The first session set a strong foundation, providing both structure and inspiration for what’s ahead. As teams refine their approaches and engage with the program’s core principles, the fellowship promises to be an enriching experience that nurtures creativity, collaboration, and forward-thinking solutions.