Vincent’s professional ethos has always revolved around making meaningful contributions on regional, continental, and global scales. Over the past two decades, he has remained steadfast in this pursuit, holding various roles that align with his vision. Currently, he serves as the Director at Ashoka, an institution dedicated to nurturing the social entrepreneurship ecosystem. This role resonates deeply with Vincent, as he witnesses firsthand the tangible impact it has on society.
In 2020, Vincent felt compelled to address a longstanding concern that had been gnawing at him for years. He was troubled by the inadequacies of higher education institutions in adequately preparing the leaders of tomorrow. Vincent recognised the urgent need to reimagine the educational landscape and equip future innovators and entrepreneurs with the necessary skills and mindset to thrive.
The opportunity to realise his vision materialised through the British Council’s Innovation for African Universities (IAU) Programme. This initiative aimed to foster an environment within universities that nurtured creativity, encouraged exploration, and empowered students to become the researchers and innovators of tomorrow.
To bring his idea to fruition, Vincent reached out to his longtime friend and colleague, Professor Abel Kinoti, the founding Dean of Riara University in Nairobi. Together, they sought to merge their shared vision with that of the British Council, envisioning a future where students were equipped to explore their ideas and make meaningful contributions to society. Thus, the Accelerating Entrepreneurship amongst University Students (AESU) programme was born.
The pilot phase of the AESU programme was launched at Riara University, with the aim of creating an enabling ecosystem for students within the institution. Vincent explains, “Universities are teeming with ideas, but what they lack is the space to accelerate these ideas. Through the AESU programme, we aim to build an architecture within the university to accelerate innovation, catalyse social change, and foster stronger linkages between academia and industry.”
The adaptive approach of the IAU programme proved instrumental in shaping the AESU programme, facilitating collaboration with UK-based universities, including the Open University. Vincent emphasises the invaluable role played by the British Council in unlocking resources, networks, and ecosystems that would have otherwise been inaccessible.