The campus of the future will not simply consume less energy. It will generate ideas, inspire innovation, and become a living demonstration of what sustainable development looks like in practice.

That was the shared vision as Strathmore University Foundation (SUF) convened industry leaders, researchers and sustainability champions for the Sustainable Campus Development Roundtable, a high-level dialogue exploring how academia and industry can work together to build greener, smarter and more resilient communities. Participants represented organizations spanning electric mobility, green building, finance, clean energy, manufacturing and sustainability advocacy, underscoring the multidisciplinary nature of the conversations.

Opening the discussion, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Partnerships and Development, Dr. Edward Mungai, reaffirmed the University’s commitment to embedding sustainability into every aspect of its growth. Central to this vision is the upcoming Kevin O’Byrne (KOB) STEM Complex.

“We want the KOB Complex to be a learning laboratory, futuristic and self-sustaining,” said Dr. Mungai, emphasizing that the facility will serve as a model where sustainable technologies are not only studied but experienced in everyday campus life.

The conversation extended beyond infrastructure to the broader question of how universities can shape societies that thrive within environmental limits. Dr. Mary Aminga of Strathmore Business School challenged participants to rethink the University’s role in advancing circular and regenerative systems.

Her vision is to cultivate an ecosystem where academia, industry, government and communities co-create practical solutions to society’s most pressing sustainability challenges.

“How do we collaborate to scale up sustainability solutions?” she posed to participants, framing collaboration as the defining ingredient for meaningful and lasting impact.

The roundtable also highlighted the rapid evolution of Kenya’s electric mobility sector. Moses Nderitu, Managing Director, BasiGo and Deputy Chair of the Electric Mobility Association of Kenya (EMAK), acknowledged that while the industry remains in its formative stages, its growth depends on stronger partnerships between government, academia and the private sector.

Among the emerging challenges, he noted, is the responsible management of electronic waste generated by electric vehicles and battery technologies. Encouragingly, Nderitu observed that Kenya already has policies supporting safe e-waste disposal, with industry players increasingly embracing innovative recycling approaches that advance a circular economy.

Showcasing Strathmore’s own contribution to the sustainability agenda, Eng. Ignatius Maranga from the Strathmore Energy Research Centre (SERC) highlighted the University’s leadership in renewable energy capacity building and policy development.

He noted that SERC has trained more than 3,500 participants in Solar Photovoltaic (PV) technologies while spearheading the development of County Energy Plans and Energy Investment Prospectuses that are helping counties unlock sustainable energy opportunities across Kenya.

By bringing together innovators, researchers, policymakers and industry leaders, Strathmore University is positioning itself as a catalyst for the partnerships, ideas and innovations that will define a more sustainable future.

Article written by Stephen Wakhu