Group photograph of AUST representatives Engr. Dr. David Afolayan, HoD Mechanical Engineering Dr. Anthony Anyakora, Head of the Consultancy Services Unit, Dr. Vitalis Anye, Dean of Engineering and Miss Juliet Okocha, Administrative Assistant of the unit. and German delegation Dennis Vormawor, Dr. Collins Adefunji, Chukwudi Johnpaul Okolo, Lena Leumer, Komivi Lasmothey and Dr. Harald von Korflesch following a partnership exploration meeting focused on research, innovation, entrepreneurship and startup development.

Opportunities for stronger international collaboration in research, innovation and entrepreneurship took centre stage as the African University of Science and Technology (AUST), Abuja, hosted a delegation of German academic and innovation institutions.

The partnership exploration meeting, hosted by AUST’s Consultancy Services Unit, focused on strengthening AUST Inspire Incubation Hub, the University’s innovation and incubation hub, through joint research, entrepreneurship development, capacity building, startup incubation and access to international funding opportunities.

The German delegation comprised representatives from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), University of Koblenz, Germany, and the Zentral Institute for Entrepreneurship and International Transfer.

During the meeting, AUST presented its mandate and research strengths in science, engineering and technology, as well as the activities of AUST Inspire in supporting student and faculty innovations, startup development and commercialisation.

Discussions centred on joint research and development projects, innovation management, entrepreneurship programmes, startup mentorship and incubation, as well as institutional networking and knowledge exchange.

The delegation expressed interest in AUST’s growing innovation ecosystem, particularly its potential for research commercialisation and startup development.

Both parties agreed to maintain direct communication, share information on AUST Inspire, identify priority areas for collaboration and work towards developing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The AUST delegation at the meeting included Engr. Dr. David Afolayan, HoD Mechanical Engineering, Dr. Anthony Anyakora, Head of the Consultancy Services Unit, Dr. Vitalis Anye, Dean School of Engineering and Coordinator AUSTInspire and Miss Juliet Okocha, Administrative Assistant of the unit.

The visiting delegation comprised Dennis Vormawor, Dr. Collins Adefunji, Chukwudi Johnpaul Okolo, Lena Leumer, Komivi Lasmothey and Dr. Harald von Korflesch.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to advancing practical partnerships that promote innovation, research and technological development.