DAAD Booth Draws Thousands at STRI4Society Week as Study in Germany and Responsible AI Programmes Spark Strong Interest

To lead these efforts, Professor Shaukat Abdulrazak was appointed State Secretary of the State Department for Science, Research, and Innovation. In this role, he was tasked with linking research more closely to practical needs—and ensuring that ideas generated at universities and research institutions find their way into society, industry, and policy.

This vision gave rise to the “Science, Technology, Research, and Innovation for Society (STRI4Society) Week”—Kenya’s first platform of its kind. It brought together an unusually diverse group of people: researchers and innovators, government officials, private-sector leaders, students, and community representatives. Instead of working in separate spheres, they gathered in one place for a few days to exchange ideas, showcase innovations, and discuss practical solutions to everyday challenges.

The STRI4Society Week was firmly anchored in Kenya’s overarching development path, including “Vision 2030,” “MTP IV,” and the “Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda” (BETA). It served as a national platform for creativity and progress and highlighted local research findings and innovations that are already making a difference in communities today. More than just an exhibition, it became a meeting place where partnerships were forged and discussions between academia, industry, government, and citizens were sparked—strengthening the path from idea to tangible impact in practice.

DAAD Booth Attracts Thousands at STRI4Society Week

For hundreds of students and young researchers participating in Kenya’s first STRI4Society Week, the DAAD booth became one of the main attractions—a gateway to studying and conducting research in Germany. Despite a slow start, nearly 3,000 visitors stopped by the booth over the course of the week to learn about scholarships, academic exchange programs, graduate programs, and research partnerships. The high number of visitors reflected the growing interest in international cooperation among Kenyan students and institutions, which was further amplified by the presentation of the new DAAD program “Responsible Artificial Intelligence,” which sparked a broad discussion on ethical and future-oriented innovation.

Interest Surges as the Week Unfolds

What began amid the challenges of a nationwide public transit strike quickly evolved into one of Kenya’s most vibrant events on science, innovation, and global cooperation. By Friday evening, the first “Science, Technology, Research, and Innovation for Society” (STRI4Society) Week had firmly established itself as a central platform for shaping the country’s innovation agenda.

Over the course of five days, the event brought together policymakers, scientists, university leaders, students, innovators, diplomats, development partners, and private-sector stakeholders, all united by a common question: How can science and innovation better serve society? Organized by the State Secretariat for Science, Research, and Innovation under the Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora, the week became a dynamic hub for ideas, partnerships, and forward-looking dialogue.

As attendance gathered momentum over the course of the week, the venue was transformed almost overnight. Visitor numbers skyrocketed, the exhibition halls came alive, and conversations spanned topics such as artificial intelligence, science diplomacy, research commercialization, STEM mentoring, new technologies, indigenous knowledge systems, and innovation financing. The DAAD booth, remained a major draw, attracting thousands of visitors eager to explore opportunities for study and research in Germany.

Strengthening Research Partnerships Between Kenya and Europe

One of the key highlights of the week was a networking event organized by the Delegation of the European Union, which focused on strengthening partnerships in the fields of research and higher education between Kenya and Europe. The event featured presentations on mobility programs, the framework conditions for research collaboration, and funding opportunities, underscoring the importance of cross-border cooperation in addressing global challenges such as climate change, healthcare systems, and digital transformation.

At this forum, the DAAD briefly introduced its new center of excellence, “Responsible Artificial Intelligence,” which was very timely, as AI is currently one of the hottest topics in Kenya.

Collaboration, Networking, and Lasting Impact

By the end of the week, what had begun slowly had evolved into an extremely dynamic platform for exchange, collaboration, and discovery. Conversations that had started in formal sessions continued in the hallways and exhibition halls, forming networks that will likely endure beyond the event itself.

STRI4Society Week was more than just a conference; it marked a pivotal moment on Kenya’s path to innovation—a path based on collaboration, global engagement, and the conviction that science and technology must ultimately serve society.