Progress as at 14th
Dec 2006
The president in his inaugural speech launching the vision 2030 noted
the importance of science technology and innovation as a basis of
socio economic transformation. To this end, the Ministry was created
to spearhead the integration of STI into all aspects of socio economic
development and coordination of various research initiatives for harmony,
synergy and focus onto the goal.
It is with the above in mind that
the Ministry adopted the vision of :
A national culture that prides in and actively promotes the development,
acquisition, dissemination and application of science and technology
for prosperity and global competitiveness The vision is in realization that Kenya is endowed with tremendous
amount of skilled human resources who have made impacts in other
countries and that the main problem in Kenya is lack of desire,
culture and the urge to use STI as a basis of development. Things
are changing and gradually there is realization that value addition
to our raw materials, a great resource that we have is key to economic
transformation. Within the education and all production sectors
the culture of science and technology to save on time, reduce wastage
and improve productivity cannot be overemphasized. The mission of the Ministry therefore is:
To spearhead sustainable development through integration
of science, technology and innovation into the national production
systems
Some of the priority areas of focus will be: • Strengthening the National STI standing and Kenya’s
regional and international competitiveness
• Improving the quality, relevance, equity and access to technical
training
• Promoting evidence based policy making and national development
• Encourage private sector participation in STI and technical
education
• Enhancing capacity of the national STI system towards demand
driven STI and technical education services and effective use of
existing talents and facilities
• Promoting excellence, creativity, innovation and investment
in STI and technical education.
• Strengthening collaborations and harmonization in STI operations
by STI actors. Current and Recent Events Preparation of the Strategic Plan to guide the STI sector for the
next 5 years.
The draft is being subjected to scrutiny by various stakeholders
and will soon be in the Ministry website for comments. The ministry
has organized a workshop for senior staff and key external reviewers
for 6th to 8th December, 2006 to finalise the draft before circulation
to external stakeholders.
Preparation of Science Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy. The National Economic and Social Council (NESC) has underscored
the importance of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) in fast
tracking economic growth, poverty reduction, international competitiveness
and the achievement of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). This
would be achieved through substantial re-orientation of the national
development policies to integrate STI into all the social and economic
production systems leading to a scientific and technological transformation
of the economy. An Inter-Ministerial Taskforce was formed and tasked with the responsibility
of reviewing existing policies on science, technology and innovation
in the country, collect and collate information on research and
development on various thematic areas, analyze the adequacy and
requirements for STI support in terms of physical, human and financial
resources, make necessary recommendations and compile a report for
NESC. For the expeditious implementation of the task the Inter-Ministerial
Taskforce constituted seven Sector Working Groups (SWGs); namely;
Existing Policies SWG; Agriculture and rural development SWG; Health
and Medical Services SWG; Environment and Natural Resources SWG;
Education SWG; ICT SWG; Physical Infrastructure SWG; and Industrial
and Entrepreneurship SWG. The SWGs represented broad STI sectors
and were asked to come up with SWG reports in accordance with some
set terms of reference. The Sector Working Groups are composed of Government Ministries,
Research Institutes, Public Universities, Private Sector representatives
and the Civil Society all working in common and related sectors
of the economy. The SWG reports form the basis for the Science,
Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy for the country. The Sector Working Groups have been meeting to discuss policy issues,
policy objectives and strategies touching on STI within their thematic
areas of specialization. The Ministry organized a workshop for the Sector Working Groups
from 7th to 9th of November 2006 at Utalii Hotel. Collaboration
The Ministry has recognized the need for collaboration with other
countries in this important area and efforts to engage collaborators
through agreements is under way. In September 2006 through assistance
from UNESCO the Ministry held a joint collaborative effort with
other African Countries to discuss a means of integrating STI into
the development process. The workshop was held in Mombasa Kenya
and participation countries included the following; Kenya, Uganda,
Tranzania, Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria Ruanda and Ethiopia.
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