In a world racing toward cleaner transport, it’s not just vehicles that need recharging; it’s mindsets. By putting innovation in students’ hands, Strathmore and ECTA are proving that the real engine of the electric future is education.
In a powerful blend of education and industry innovation, Strathmore University has partnered with ECTA Kenya Ltd, the official distributor for Subaru and JAC Motors, to fast-track electric vehicle (EV) adoption in Kenya while strengthening STEM education for the next generation of engineers and innovators.
The collaboration came to life last week when JAC Kenya unveiled its fully electric double-cabin pickup to an audience of eager students at the university’s Madaraka campus. But this wasn’t just a product demo. It was an entry point into one of the most urgent transitions of our time: clean, sustainable transport.
The Problem: A skills gap in a growing Green Economy
As Kenya accelerates toward a low-carbon future, the electric mobility sector is expanding. But with it comes a challenge; a shortage of homegrown talent equipped to design, build, and maintain EV systems. While government policies and startups are setting the stage, educational institutions often lag behind when it comes to practical EV exposure.
This disconnect between industry and academia threatens to stall the country’s green ambitions.
The Response: Real-world learning meets real-world innovation
Enter Strathmore and ECTA. Their partnership aims to bridge theory and practice, turning the university into a hands-on hub where students engage directly with cutting-edge EV technology.
During the launch, engineering students examined the vehicle’s battery systems, electric motors, and digital control units, interacting with JAC engineers who shared insights into what makes EVs both efficient and sustainable. These immersive learning opportunities are not just rare; they are vital.
“This is the kind of synergy we need,” said Defence Kioko, Marketing Manager at ECTA Ltd.
“When businesses bring real-world innovation to universities, and students bring new thinking back into industry, everyone benefits.”
Beyond the lecture hall: EVs take the lead
In a creative twist, the electric pickup will also be the official pace car for Strathmore’s upcoming VC Run, a signature fundraising event supporting student scholarships. The EV will provide live updates and tracking for runners, showcasing its utility in a dynamic campus setting.
“Scholarships make education possible,” noted Dr. Vincent Ogutu, Vice Chancellor of Strathmore University. “And initiatives like this one expand learning far beyond the classroom.”
The Solution in Action: A model worth replicating
This partnership is more than a one-off event. It is a scalable model for how universities and private companies can co-create pathways into the green economy. By embedding EV technology into the student experience, it equips Kenya’s youth with the tools and confidence to take the wheel of the country’s sustainability future.
As the EV market grows -from buses to boda bodas – such collaborations are laying the groundwork for a new generation of African engineers who won’t just adopt technology, but shape it.
And that, says many observers, is the real innovation.
