By GPC News Desk
Kibabii University Professor Joshua Abuya will speak at the 2026 World Association of Industrial and Technological Research Organizations (WAITRO) Summit, scheduled for October 26–28 in Istanbul, Türkiye.
The university said the selection was an international recognition of its growing contribution to research, innovation, technology transfer and international collaboration.
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Abuya, an Associate Professor of Logistics and Supply Chain Management, is expected to share insights on research and innovation, drawing partly from his involvement in the African Agriculture Knowledge Transfer Partnership (AAKTP), which brings together Kibabii University, the University of Huddersfield in the United Kingdom and Kenyan firm Carbon Footprint Ltd.
The partnership developed the EcoDryer technology, which converts sugarcane bagasse waste into useful biomass resources for sustainable energy production.
The university said the project demonstrated how partnerships between universities and industry could drive innovation, promote sustainable technologies and help commercialise research findings.
According to his WAITRO profile, Prof. Abuya has more than 20 years of experience in academic leadership, research management, international partnerships and institutional development across East Africa. He currently serves as Acting Registrar in charge of Planning, Partnerships, Research and Innovation at Kibabii University.
He has also previously discharged the duties of the Vice-Chancellor and served as Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Administration, Finance and Development, as well as Planning, Partnerships, Research and Innovation.
Prof. Abuya has led or contributed to more than 10 competitively funded research projects and consultancies that have attracted approximately Sh856 million from international and regional funding agencies.
The funders include the European Union, Innovate UK/UK Research and Innovation, Africa UniNET, the Inter-University Council for East Africa and WAITRO.
He is the Principal Investigator of the AAKTP project, which has been recognised for its contribution to sustainable industrial development. The partnership has been named a finalist for the 2026 Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Partnership Outstanding KTP Impact Award.
The EcoDryer initiative promotes the use of agricultural waste in energy production, supporting circular economy approaches and efforts to reduce industrial carbon footprints.
Prof. Abuya holds a PhD in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, an MBA in Procurement and Supply Chain Management, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Education and Extension. He is also a full member of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (MCIPS) in the United Kingdom.
His research and professional interests include logistics, supply chain management, procurement, organisational performance and sustainable development.
The WAITRO Summit brings together research organisations, industry players, policymakers and innovation stakeholders to discuss ways of strengthening research collaboration and translating scientific knowledge into practical solutions.
Prof. Abuya’s selection places Kibabii University among institutions contributing to international discussions on research commercialisation, technology transfer and sustainable innovation.
