THE CONCEPT ON THE 7 TH NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK 2018

                                                                                               

 

THE CONCEPT ON THE 7^TH NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK 2018

1.0      Introduction

The Kenya Vision 2030 recognizes the key role played by Research, Science, Technology and Innovation (RST&I) in wealth creation and building human capital required for the transition to a knowledge-based economy. The Vision proposes to intensify the application of RST&I to raise productivity and efficiency levels across the economic, social and political pillars of national development agenda.In accordance with the Constitution of Kenya, the National Government is implementing the ST&I policy framework in consultation and collaboration with the County Governments. The two levels of Governments have the role to mobilise resources and widen the involvement of relevant stakeholders

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063 (implemented through ST&I Strategy for Africa –STISA 2024), focuses on socio-economic transformation of the continent. In view of the above, the 7^thNational Science Week therefore takes into consideration SDGs, STISA 2024, the Kenya Vision 2030and the Government’s “The BigFour”Plan for the next 5 years. These are Food security and nutrition, affordable housing, manufacturing and affordable health care for all.

2.0     Objectives of the 7^th  National Science Week

2.1        Main objective

The objective of the 7^thNational Science Week is to provide a forum for engaging stakeholders on the contribution of RST&I towards achievement of “The Big Four” Plan.

2.1          Specific objectives:

• To show-case and appraise Kenya’s achievements and breakthroughs in RST&I;
• To facilitate dialogue and interactions amongst stakeholders on the role of RST&I towards achievement of “The Big Four” Plan;
• To create awareness and popularize RST&I among the public;
• To provide a platform for enhancing technology transfer; and
• To celebrate, recognize and reward outstanding Kenyan scientists and innovators.

3.0          THEME 

The main theme of the National Science Week is “Harnessing RST&I contribution towards achievement of “The Big Four” Plan

3.1          SUBTHEMES

SUBTHEME 1: MANUFACTURING

Manufacturing  sector  is  key  to  the  attainment  of  Kenya’s  Vision  2030  and  is  central  to  the government’s policies on job creation, value addition,  international   trade,  and foreign exchange earnings.  However,  the  contribution  of  manufacturing  to  the  country’s  GDP  has  been  on  the decline.   Agro-processing  is one of the key  subsectors  in  the  manufacturing  sector,  contributing  enormously  to  the  nation’s  GDP. However,  this  subsector  is  still  underdeveloped  and  consequently,  production  of  quality  and competitive  value added agricultural products for domestic and  international  market is  limited. Being one of the “The Big Four”  It  is  expected  that  by  2022,  there  will  be  a  solution  for  producing  quality products by the cottage industries  in the  various  subsectors, increased export products, leading to higher  foreign  exchange  earnings,  faster  transition  from  MSEs  to  large  industries,  increased employment opportunities, and increased share of GDP.

The Government plans to create more jobs through boosting the manufacturing sector, with the expansion of 4 sub-sectors:

1. The Blue Economy
2. Agro-Processing
3. Leather and;
4. Textile industry

Possible topics for poster presentation

• Promote sustainable and inclusive industrialization (Green growth, SDG 9 and Agenda 2063 of the African Union) for Job creation and Inclusive Economic Growth;
• Vocational training in the educational curriculum so as to awaken interest in the manufacturing sector at an early age and amongst women who are underrepresented in the sector;
• Enacting and implementing policies and legislation that support the growth of the sector; and
• Realise potential of leather and textile industrial subsector
• Models for Africa’s industrialisation

·         Role of blue economy in sustainable development

• Use of emerging technologies in manufacturing

ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION 1: Accelerating industrialization in Kenya

• Industrial policy and institutional direction-The Implementation Strategy of the Action Plan addresses how to create coherent Industrial Policy Frameworks at national and county levels that are well-focused and sensitive to local endowments.
• Promote infrastructure and energy for industrial development -The Implementation Strategy addresses how to create a dynamic response to infrastructure and alternative energy needs
• Human resources development for industry
• Industrial innovation systems, R&D and technology development -The Implementation Strategy addresses how to redress skill shortages and respond to the training and the skilling of people in key areas of industrial growth.
• Financing and resource mobilization-The Implementation Strategy addresses how to create an enabling financial architecture made up of internal and external sources to invest in key industrial developments.

KEYNOTE ADDRESS 1: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

SUBTHEME 2:  FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION

Kenyan Vision 2030 identified agriculture as one of the key sectors to deliver a 10 per cent annual economic growth rate. The transformation of smallholder subsistence agriculture into an innovative, commercially-oriented sustainable modern agricultural sector is critical. This means shifting both commercial and subsistence farming towards ecologically-sound farming practices, such as efficient use of water, use of high quality agricultural inputs, extensive use of organic and natural soil nutrients, optimal tillage, integrated pest management and agro-forestry (green agriculture).

Strengthening reliable access to market is critical for helping unlock the potential of smallholder farmers. In addition, extension services will advise on the use of appropriate technologies to increase productivity and reduce pre- and post-harvest losses. The role of the private sector is crucial in addressing the challenges along the value chain.

Presentation under this subtheme will focus on:

·         Reviewing and harmonizing the relevant policies;

·         Increasing productivity, commercialization and competitiveness in both large and smallholder farming systems;

·         Encouraging private sector participation in value-addition;

·         Promoting sustainable land and natural resources management;

·         Reforming delivery of agricultural services e.g. Fertiliser(local blended), seeds, crop/livestock insurance;

·         Application of appropriate technologies to address pre and post-harvest losses

·         Application of emerging technologies to address food security challenges

KEY NOTE ADDRESS 2: Food Security and Nutrition

ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION 2: Youth Engagement in agriculture for wealth creation

The youth (15-34 years), who form 35% of the Kenyan population, have an unemployment rate of 67%. A total of over 1.3 million new employment places have to be created annually to meet the demand by young people entering the labour market. A vibrant agriculture sector has the capacity to absorb a substantial percentage of these youth through employment, farming, and agribusiness along the dairy, horticulture, staples and livestock value chains. National policies, especially Kenya Vision 2030, acknowledge the role of agriculture as a key economic driver and further advocate for active involvement of youth in all sectors of the economy coupled with increased access to factors of production, access to markets among others. Further, on the global, continental and regional fronts, the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 (SDGs) and the Africa Union own Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) emphasizes the need for maximum integration of the youth in the agricultural sector. However numerous challenges including insufficient financial support, inadequate technical capacity, limited access to pre-established markets, and weak implementation of policies hamper maximum participation by youth in the agriculture sector, thereby calling for home grown solutions. 

It is against this backdrop that the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (MoAI), County Governments (CG) in collaboration with development partners have developed a National Youth in Agribusiness Strategy (2017-2021). The strategy aims at creating innovative, attractive and sustainable employment opportunities for the youth through active engagement in agribusiness.

Strategies to support the youth in farming:

1.      Providing seed funding to start small agri-businesses Demonstrating agronomic practices and technologies in group plots used as training sites.

2.      Training youth groups on financial literacy, credit management and business planning.

3.      Supporting youth groups to access commercial finance to sustain and expand their businesses.

4.      Linking the groups to markets and supporting them in the negotiation of contract farming agreements with buyers.

SUBTHEME 3: UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE

Good health is recognized as a critical pillar in ensuring individual, household, community and country prosperity.  The health sector objective in attaining Vision 2030 is “to provide equitable and affordable health care at the highest affordable standard to all citizens”. This is to be attained by restructuring health care delivery systems to shift the emphasis from curative to preventive and promotive health care services and improve key areas especially in lowering infant and maternal mortality.  This requires involving the communities in addressing the underlying conditions within their environment that give rise to diseases and poor health.

Presentation under this subtheme will focus on:

• Restructuring health care delivery systems;
• Provide some scientific insights and innovations to solutions on non-communicable/lifestyle diseases (e.g., heart diseases, cancer, stroke, diabetes, obesity and kidney disease among others) as well as mental health, injuries and trauma;
• Solutions to re-emerging infectious diseases (e.g., cholera) and the neglected tropical/poverty diseases (e.g., trachoma, filariasis, schistosomiasis, helminthiasis among others).

The provision of universal healthcare will accelerate the progress towards the achievement of Kenya Vision 2030 and the health-related Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Goal number 3, “ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages”.

ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION 3: What does it take for Kenya to join the community of nations aspiring for universal health coverage?

• NHIF and private insurance companies – challenges and potential in achieving universal healthcare coverage
• Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) – Ethics in health insurance
• Ministry of Health (MoH) – Public health and health systems management
• NGOs (Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies (MEDS), African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF), Doctors without Borders) – The contribution of NGOs in provision of affordable healthcare
• Council of Governors (COG) – The role of county governments in provision of universal healthcare

KEYNOTE ADDRESS 3: Curative to preventive and promotive health care approach

SUBTHEME 4: AFFORDABLE HOUSING

The need to develop affordable housing is consistent with achievement of SDG goal 11(to ensure that all people have access to adequate, safe and affordable housing). Creating a housing market that accommodates all citizens should be a priority for Kenya’s policy makers. However Success on this front has remained elusive due to escalating land prices, building materials among others has put housing nowhere within reach for low-income earners.

Kenya has faced major challenges in the housing sector but at the same time provided opportunities for the same. The country has been experiencing an annual shortfall of housing, exceeding 250,000 units. There has also been an occurrence of rapid urbanization which is as a result of devolution and realization of vision 2030.Access to both prime and virgin land for housing have provided a perfect opportunity for investors in the sector. However, there are challenges that come with housing in Kenya. Such are; expansive growth of slums and informal settlements ,distorted access to land, high cost of finance ,existence of rigid building laws and regulations and the deterioration of housing stock due to lack of a maintenance framework and also increased urban population(4.2% every year) translating  to at least 120,000 new housing units annually to meet demand.

The Kenyan government is committed to ensuring every citizen has access to affordable and comfortable housing, thereby investing in major transformation programs and projects and legislature review which has set the trend in the sector.

Presentation under this subtheme will focus on:

• What are the policy interventions to make affordable housing to the poor?
• Incentives to encourage greater private sector participation.
• Strategies that can be used to increase affordability while maintaining commercial viability.

ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION 4: Strategies to make housing affordable to the poor

1. Make land affordable  to all citizens
2. Alternative building technologies (keynote address)
3. Creative Financing-international lenders for such capital intensive  can make big difference in unit price
4. Subsidy- a mixed-income development where high income subsidizes low income
5. Innovative designs-can help to use space efficiently and effectively
6. Incremental construction-few blocks sell then recycle capital
7. Self-construction

SUBTHEME 5: BUILDING COHESIVE SOCIETY

For sustainable development Kenyans have to co-exist peacefully, enjoy freedom with responsibility, and focus on the goals of Vision 2030 and the principles of Constitution of Kenya and national cohesion and integration Act 2008. This is achieved through fostering national values, encouraging sense of responsibility, and character change at the individual, institutional and national level. The national cohesion and integration is guided by three major principles that is, institutional dimension, equity dimension and perception dimension. Institutional dimension encompasses economic, political, legal and social institutions and organization. The areas of concern are the role of executive, legislature, judiciary and conduct of national politics. The equity dimension recognizes that a country cannot achieve true national cohesion and integration if socio-economic disparity exists and therefore a need for affirmation action in favour of the disadvantaged members of the society. The equity obliges the government to effect policies that address inequalities in order reduce regional imbalance. Perception dimension relates to extent to which members of the society feel they are a part of both the society in which they live and work.

Presentation under this subtheme will focus on:

• Strengthening relevant institutions, justice, rule of law, security and positive values in the society, community empowerment and engagement, community intelligent, monitoring and violence prevention;

• Addressing socio-economic inequalities and unemployment challenges;
• Intergeneration and socio-economic opportunities;
• Promoting and celebrating equality and diversity in the society; and
• Managing ethnic and socio-cultural diversity, mechanism for communication and information sharing.

KEYNOTE ADDRESS 4: Managing ethnic and socio-cultural diversity.

ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION 5: Intergeneration and socio-economic opportunities;

The essential tools and processes for achieving national cohesion and integration in Kenya include: good governance, reducing disparities in wealth and income across citizens and regions, instituting non-discriminatory practices, and in the process enabling citizens to embrace Kenya’s national values. The government has embarked on sensitizing the broad base of community members (youth) on how they can play their role more effectively in social cohesion. Youth could play a great role in conflict management and mitigation. But they are disadvantaged as far as access of productive resources is concerned. This has led them to be involved in bad virtues. They join illegal groups who terrorize members of the society in trying to get part of the resources. This calls for discussions on effective resource mobilization to reduce disparities amongst demographic sets and socio-economic status in the country.

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS FOR POSTER PRESENTATIONS

Participants are invited to submit their Abstracts for posters presentations under the following five sub-themes: Manufacturing; Food security and nutrition; Universal healthcare; Affordable housing; and Building cohesive society. (The concept note is available on NACOSTI website: www.nacosti.go.ke).

FORMAT FOR SUBMITTING ABSTRACTS

The Abstract should have a clear title,  sub theme under which the poster will be presented and  include; author(s) name, affiliated institution(s) name and postal address of author(s), and corresponding author's telephone numbers and  email addresses. The abstract should NOT BE MORE THAN 250 WORDS, presented as; brief introduction (background, problem statement, justification and objective), methodology, key findings, conclusion and key words. It must be typed in Times New Romans, Font 12 and Single spaced and submitted to the email address; scienceweek2018@.nacosti.go.ke not later than 28^thFebruary 2018. All submitted abstracts will go through a panel review which will select the best abstracts for presentations. The acceptance of abstracts will be based on their scientific and technical quality and clarity of presentation. Successful applicants will be notified to prepare   poster for presentation and full paper.

Please note: Your full paper will be made publicly available through the NACOSTI web site after the Science Week, and we are planning to publish a Conference Proceedings.

Successful applicants will be notified by 23^rd March, 2018.

FORMAT OF FULL RESEARCH PAPER

The full paper should include the following basic information among others: Institution name and postal address, telephone number; email address of the authors.  The full paper should have an abstract, key words, introduction (background, problem statement, justification and objective), methodology, key findings, conclusion and recommendations. All papers should be submitted in soft copy and should not be more than five (5) pages (inclusive of figures and tables).

FORMAT OF EXHIBITIONS AND INNOVATIONS

Participants wishing to exhibit and display innovations should provide the following information: Title of the innovation/exhibition, name(s) of exhibitor(s) and space required. This information should be submitted to the following email address:scienceweek2018@.nacosti.go.ke

IMPORTANT DEADLINES

Activity	Deadline
Submission of Abstracts for posters	16th March, 2018
Notification of abstract acceptance and call for full papers	23rd March 2018
Submission of Full papers and posters	6th April 2018
Submission of write ups on  exhibitions and Innovations	6thApril, 2018
Notification of acceptance of full papers and exhibitions and Innovations	13th  April, 2018

OUTPUT

The expected output of the conference is Conference proceedings, Conference report, documentation of the main trends in the implementation of Kenya Vision 2030 and in particular “The Big Four” Plan , the challenges and opportunities for future economic growth, sustainability and policy development; and documentation/inventory of innovations.

For more information and details regarding the formats of research papers, exhibitions and innovations please consult the website indicated below.

Chairman/Coordinator

Science Week Secretariat

National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation

P.O. Box 30623-00100, NAIROBI

Telephone:+254204 007 000

Mobile: +254 713 788 787/0735 404 245

Email: scienceweek2018@nacosti.go.ke

Website: www.nacosti.go.ke or www.scienceandtechnology.go.ke

REGISTRATION FEES

Applicants for exhibitions and innovation will be expected to pay fees as indicated below.

Category of Participants		REGISTRATION
		KES	US$
Exhibitors  (charges per booth measuring 3x3m2)	Individuals	5,000	50
	Research, Regulators and Training Institutions (TVET Institutions are exempted)	10,000	100
	Private Companies /firms	20,000	200
	Non East African	20,000	200

All payments shall be made directly to the bank as per the following details.

1.         KSH

KCB-NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR SCI & TECH

A/C NO. 1104162547

SWIFT CODE-KCBKENX

2.         DOLLAR

NIC-NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR SCI & TECH

A/C NO. 1001467375

SWIFT CODE-NINCKENX

The scanned bank deposit slip should be emailed to scienceweek2018@nacosti.go.ke and an official receipt shall be issued upon receipt of the bank deposit slip.