DVC ARSA, Prof. Samuel Muriithi (seated, center right), and British Council Kenya Head of Education, Ms. Monica Blagescu (seated, center left), joined by teams from Daystar University and the University of South Wales. The group gathered for the closing ceremony of their collaborative program held on March 20th at the Daystar University Nairobi Campus.

By Timothy Oiro

[Nairobi Campus: 20th March 2026]  The Learning and Design Lab which began on Monday, 16th March 2026 culminated with a closing ceremony held on 20th March at the Nairobi Campus. This year’s challenge focused on Dominion, a service provider specializing in electric motorcycle manufacturing.

Four teams comprising Daystar University students and students from the University of South Wales, presented their innovative solutions designed to meet customer needs and benefit the community. The four innovations were:

• Bridging the Awareness Gap & Enabling the Dominion Ride by creating Digital Awareness
• After sales support to motorbike riders through rewarding carbon credits and issuing of royalties.

• Easing rider anxiety through mental well-being, caused by lack of security in having a reliable income hence unpredictable earning and unreliability of  bikes in terms of accessing spare parts.

• Inclusive Digital access: Developing Electric Vehicle App, through use of USSD code to access customer care service.

The closing ceremony was attended by the DVC ARSA, Prof. Samuel Muriithi, British Council Country Director for Kenya and East Africa Mr. Tom Porter, British Council Kenya Head of Education, Ms. Monica Blagescu, the Founder of Carbon Zero, Mr. Patrick Kimathi, the Managing Director of Circle Innovation, Karina Faßbender, Prof. Florence Ayisi from University of South Wales, and the Director, Daystar University Directorate of Research, Innovation, Commercialization and Entrepreneurship (DRICE), Dr. Carolyne Ayuya.

Mr. Tom Porter spoke on the importance of diversity, noting that the lab’s outcomes align perfectly with Daystar University’s mission.

"Students have gained immensely from this tough assignment, sharpening their creativity and critical thinking. Universities must provide solutions and bridge the gap between academia and industry,” he said, adding that student innovators are the individuals who will lead that transition.

Mr. Kimathi expressed his appreciation for the students' efforts: "This is a humbling moment for us as a startup. After spending many days searching for the right solutions, I am deeply impressed by your presentations, which will help us chart our next steps. We thank Daystar University, Circle Innovation and the University of South Wales, and look forward to further engagement," he said.

Prof. Florence Ayisi from the University South Wales underscored the value of global collaboration, noting its crucial role in modern learning. She expressed gratitude to the British Council for providing space where students could reflect and exchange ideas.

In her remarks, the Director for DRICE, Dr. Caroline Ayuya-Muaka reminded the participants that a great university is not defined by the degrees it confers, but by the future it shapes. She encouraged the students to put their new-found skills into practice.

The Learning and Design Lab concluded with an exquisite dinner at the Carnivore Grounds.

DRICE recognizes the input of Circle Innovation team for facilitating the workshop sessions.