Ushering in a new era in the ST&I sector

LAUNCH OF NACOSTI STRATEGIC PLAN 2018-2022 & NATIONAL RESEARCH PRIORITIES FOR 2018-2022; AND ISO 9001:2015 CERTIFICATION

Prof. Collette A. Suda, PhD, FKNAS, CBS

At a colourful ceremony, the National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI) ushered in a new era for the sector it regulates. It launched two documents that detail how it will, henceforth, support the science, technology and innovation (ST&I) sector to scale new heights in the drive to transform the economy.

The event hosted in Nairobi on June 11 was a promise to Kenyans that going forward, the ST&I sec- tor will help the nation realise its key development goals.

Prof Collete Suda, Chief Administrative Secretary and Principal Secretary for University Education and Research in the Ministry of Education, issued a challenge to ST&I stakeholders.

As chief guest, Prof. Suda set the bar high for actors in the sector. She asked them why, for example, Kenyans should not use ST&I to produce enough food and banish hunger.

She gave the example of Israel, a largely dry country, that uses modern technology to produce food for own consumption and export.

“No country in the world has ever developed without embracing science, technology and innovation,” she pointed out. “In this, the most important resource is human capital, which must be highly skilled, competent and experienced.”

She added that the countries we emulate have invested heavily in science, technology and innovation. “Their economies are driven by ST&I. That is what we want for our economy,” she said.

She emphasised that returns on investment in R&D are realised where research is demand-driven and the outputs are used to address fundamental societal challenges.

Kenya seeks to transform into a middle-income country providing high quality of life to its citizens in a clean and secure environment by 2030. It seeks to accelerate national development by 2022 by focusing on implementing the Big 4 Agenda, whose pillars are Manufacturing, Agriculture, Housing And Health.

The official launch of the NACOSTI Strategic plan 2018-2022 and the National Research Priorities at Nairobi Safari Club

Prof. Suda urged NACOSTI, as the regulator, to uphold high standards in research. She asked universities, as repositories of information and knowledge, to help transform all sectors of the economy in collaboration with NACOSTI as the facilitator.

“Universities should conduct cutting-edge research that supports agricultural production and value addition, manufacturing, housing and healthcare – the Big 4,” said Prof Suda. “The overarching goal is to achieve Kenya Vision 2030.”

Prof. Suda pointed out that the Big 4 Agenda needs scientists and technology from universities and industry to impact the four pillars.

She lauded NACOSTI for working with and consulting stakeholders and other agencies to generate the national research priorities. These identified priorities, she observed, are in line with Kenya’s global and national commitments. They are sourced from the African Union’s 2063 Agenda, Kenya Vision 2030 and the Big 4 Agenda.

These priorities, said the PS, focus on how research can help transform the economy. She promised that the Ministry will deepen its commitment to invest in research.
By EVANS ONGWAE