10th DeKUT International Conference on Science, Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (STIE 2026)

Overview

The STI&E International Conference brings together researchers and practitioners to present, discuss, engage and publish research work related to national development.

The conference is held in both virtual and physical formats. It has run annually in November since 2014.

Important dates

Tracks & topics

1. Artificial Intelligence, Data Science & Intelligent Computing
2. ICT, Software Engineering & Emerging Digital Technologies
3. Robotics, Automation & Intelligent Systems
4. Cybersecurity, Digital Forensics & Trustworthy Computing
5. Health Technologies, Biomedical Engineering & Biotechnology
6. Sustainable Energy, Climate, Water & Environmental Technologies
7. Advanced Materials, Nanotechnology & Manufacturing
8. Mechanical, Civil, Electrical & Industrial Engineering
9. AgriTech, Food Systems & Bioeconomy
10. Geospatial Technologies, GIS & Remote Sensing
11. Smart Cities, Transportation Systems & Built Environment
12. Computational Science, Modelling & Simulation
13. Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Technology Commercialization
14. STEM Education, EdTech & Digital Learning
15. Business, Economics, Public Policy & Sustainable Development

Committee & chairs

Dr. Joseph Muguro

Chairperson

Electronic & Electrical Engineering

Dr. Sam Macharia

Co-Chairperson

Mechatronics Engineering

Dr. Moses Abednego Ollengo

Director, RIMCL

AS

Dr. Ann Sang

Dean, SBME

AK

Dr. Ann Kirugumi

HoD, International Office

PO

Dr. Peter Osiako

CoD, Post Graduate & IToHM Research Coordinator

PG

Dr. Patrick Gevera

GeTRI

MM

Mr. Moses Makara

ICT

EN

Ms. Elizabeth Ndungu

Secretariat

RIMCL

DW

Mr. David Wachepele

CoD, IT

PI

Mr. Peter Irungu

HoD, Catering

JN

Mr. Joseph Nganga

HoD, Estates

CN

Ms. Catherine Ndungu

HoD, Housekeeping

FM

Ms. Faith Mutheu

HoD, Public Relations

JW

Dr. James Wakiru

Keynote speakers

Prof. Minoru Sasaki

Keynote 1

Faculty of Engineering, Gifu University, Japan

Professor Minoru Sasaki is a researcher in control engineering, mechanical vibration, intelligent machines, and robotics. He was at Gifu University from April 1993 until his retirement in March 2022, serving as Senior Professor from 2015.

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His work spans actuator position and force control, autonomous flying robots, bio-signal interfaces, flexible manipulators, and smart actuators. He has supervised many international students and collaborated with universities in Korea, China, Brunei, Nigeria, and Kenya, and holds an honorary Doctor of Engineering from Dedan Kimathi University of Technology. His awards include the Japan AEM Society Distinguished Service Award (twice) and several SICE honours. He is an IEEE Life Senior Member and has served as Executive Director of SICE and Director of the AEM Society of Japan. Keynote talk: Physical AI and Africa 5.0: From Intelligent Robotics to Responsible and Sustainable Innovation.

Dr. Joyce Nakatumba-Nabende

Keynote 2

Makerere Artificial Intelligence Lab, Makerere University, Uganda

Dr. Joyce Nakatumba-Nabende is at the Makerere Artificial Intelligence Lab, Makerere University, Uganda, where she works on machine learning and on speech and language technology for African languages. Keynote talk: Artificial intelligence for African languages: speech and language technology.

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Invited talk: Artificial Intelligence in Africa: Opportunities and Challenges.

Prof. Christian Dreyer

Keynote 3

Technical University of Applied Sciences Wildau, Germany

Prof. Christian Dreyer is at the Technical University of Applied Sciences Wildau, Germany, where he works on composite and polymer materials and their applications.

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Keynote talk: Advanced Composites and Functional Integration for Applications Ranging from Microelectronics to Renewable Energy and Vertical Farming. Invited talk: Materials Recycling: Challenges and Opportunities.

MR

Prof. Muhammad Ilhamdi Rusydi

Keynote 4

Andalas University, Indonesia

Prof. Muhammad Ilhamdi Rusydi is at Andalas University, Indonesia, where he works on robotics and assistive devices controlled by signals from the human body. Keynote talk: Assistive robotics driven by the body's own signals.

Dr. Lilian Wanzare

Keynote 5

Maseno Centre for Applied Artificial Intelligence, Maseno University, Kenya

Dr. Lilian Wanzare is at the Maseno Centre for Applied Artificial Intelligence, Maseno University, Kenya, where she works on natural language processing and language resources for Kenyan languages. Keynote talk: Language technology for Kenyan Sign Languages: data, tools and inclusion.

Prof. Nitta Takahiro

Keynote 6

Applied Physics Course, Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Gifu University, Japan

Professor Takahiro Nitta is a researcher at Gifu University, Japan, working in applied physics, biophysics, nanoscience, tribology, and polymer physics.

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His research centres on nanotechnology using biomolecular motors and the sliding friction of soft materials, pursued through both experiments and computer simulation. He is based in the Applied Physics Course, Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, and collaborates internationally with researchers in Japan, North America, and Kenya. Keynote talk: Biomolecular motors: from nanoscale machines to artificial muscles.

Dr. Kiril Dimitrov

Keynote 7

Technical University of Applied Sciences Wildau, Germany

Dr. Kiril Dimitrov is at the Technical University of Applied Sciences Wildau, Germany, where he works on bio-inspired functional integration and on international collaboration in applied research.

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Keynote talk: Internationalisation in Science and Applied Research: Opportunities, Challenges, and Perspectives for Global Collaboration. Invited talk: From Insects to Sensors: Bio-Inspired Approaches to Functional Integration.

Registration & fees

Registration covers conference materials only. Academic institutional email addresses are prioritized. Participation is available both in person and online. Hotel accommodation is available within Nyeri town and booking can be facilitated through the conference secretariat on prior request.

Conference fees should be paid to Dedan Kimathi University of Technology: Consolidated Bank, Nyeri Branch, Kenya, account number 10061200000062, bank code 23, branch code 007, swift code CONKKENAXXX. Or by M-Pesa Paybill 222222, account name DKRF, forwarding the confirmation message to the secretariat on 0719 311223.

Abstracts & program

The book of abstracts and the full schedule open on their own pages so each is easy to read.

Proceedings & special issue

Selected excellent papers

Published in JASETD (Journal of Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology for Development).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2026

Contact

Questions about this event? sti.conference@dkut.ac.ke

Dedan Kimathi University of Technology website