SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION

Science, technology and innovation will play a key role as Kenya aspires to become a globally competitive and prosperous nation as envisioned in the Vision 2030. Vision 2030 is a vehicle for accelerating transformation of the country into a rapidly industrialising middle-income nation with a sustained economic growth of 10 per cent per annum by the year 2030.
There is an urgent need for the government to create an enabling environment through the formulation of policies that promote the use of science and technology, integrating the science policy into our nation’s development agenda and ensuring that adequate funding for the implementation of the science and technology plan is available.
It is important to have a national research agenda and prioritise to avoid duplication and maximize our resources. Universities and research institutions must stop doing research for the sake of academic progress. They need to research on ways of addressing food insecurity, unemployment, diseases, illiteracy and poverty.
Greater efforts should be geared towards encouraging young Kenyans to pursue science and engineering courses. This can be achieved by demystifying science education and by creating suitable employment opportunities for them.
Currently we are doing about 200 PhDs per year while in my opinion we need to produce not less than 1,000 PhDs. The country has less than a dozen oncologist’s yet about 80,000 new cancer cases are reported annually. What are we doing to mainstream training in fields like oncology for example?
A strong innovation system is also important. Besides, networking and interactions between key players including policymakers, scientists, civil society and the private sector need to be strengthened. Ensuring increased awareness of science and technology will facilitate public understanding and appreciation of their great potential to improve agriculture, nutrition, environment, water, and health for all Kenyans. The media involvement is paramount to widen the public access scientific information that can transform lives.
Promoting the use of existing new technologies such as biotechnology is also key for development. It is also important to utilise the extensive traditional knowledge available among the various Kenyan communities. It is also imperative for us to promote research and application for forecasting, prevention and mitigation of emergencies and natural hazards, particularly, floods, landslides, drought, and epidemics.
Space science technology using geospatial information systems offers an opportunity to improve environmental decision making to disaster warning and relief services and environment monitoring and management. Increasing funding for basic and applied research at higher institutions of learning will increase the country’s pool of skills and talent through training that is relevant to the needs of the economy.
The creation and sustenance of innovative funding mechanisms such as venture capital to fund development of new and innovative products, processes, and systems and support incubations and start-ups will promote entrepreneurship and commercialisation. We should strive to allocate at-least 1 per cent of our GDP to research and development.
Promoting an Intellectual Property Rights regime that maximises the incentives for the generation and protection of intellectual property will also provide a strong, supportive and comprehensive policy environment for speedy and effective domestic commercialisation of inventions and innovations to maximize public good/interest.

CAPACITY BUILDING IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Capacity building is the development of knowledge, skills and attitudes in individuals and groups of people relevant in the design, development and maintenance of institutional and operational infrastructures and processes that are locally meaningful.

Developing countries face the difficult task of finding new models in order to achieve prosperity with scarce resources. With foreign aid drying up as result of the economic downturn, developing countries are harder pushed to find ways to achieve self-sufficiency.

Therefore, capacity building should be encouraged to ensure that citizens enjoy a free and healthy life in a safe environment. Capacity building efforts will have to focus on general improvements in education, health, information, communication and technology, agriculture, forestry and fishing, energy, tourism and all other industries in Kenya.

In particular, since the majority of developing countries tend to be relatively poor in natural resources, developing the educational bases necessary to move local industries into the tertiary sector is very important.

Capacity building for developing countries like Kenya is essential to enable them to participate fully in, and implement effectively their commitments. Capacity building should be a continuous, progressive and iterative process that is participatory, country-driven and consistent with national priorities and circumstances. Hence it is very important to have the right policies and priorities in place to develop creative and innovative capacity to handle the dynamics in the society.

Higher Education institutions contribute to sustainable development by developing critical skills and capacity which has become increasingly important in the global economy.

Moreover, capacity building must equip skills necessary to complete, innovate and respond to local regional and global social economic issues as well as make up for loss of human capital through brain drain.

For capacity building to be fully achieved there is need to strengthen infrastructure development, increase the number of universities and e-learning, encourages partnerships, link universities to productive sectors of economy, full participation and support for key stakeholders and increased number of collaboration. There is need to link experts in Diaspora through knowledge sharing with their home countries.

There is also need for establishment of centres of excellence in developing countries. For example the Pan African University which has encouraged a cross border of higher education and has helped in minimizing brain drain.

Kenya needs to increase the role of middle level colleges as a way of building up the critical capacity in developing countries by embracing Technical, Industrial and Vocational Training for technical skills training.

For instance, in the education sector, developing countries need to build education systems that encourage a child’s enthusiasm for science from a young age, through expanding the implementation of ICT and hands-on science in schools. Moreover, a more scientifically literate society will demand more education, over time raising the education level of a country, creating a virtuous circle.

In developing countries today, the capacity building challenges are quite daunting in relation to the overall economic performance and outlook. The building of adequate capacity must be a priority challenge for Kenya and other developing countries in view of the need to analyze problems, formulate, implement and monitor policies, strategies and programmes in an effective manner. The private sector also requires capacity to participate effectively in the development process and assist in the implementation of public policies.

Effective utilization of capacity is better appreciated in successful development management, specifically formulation and implementation of sound policies and programmes, effective management of financial and human resources in relation to the attainment of development goals.

HOW TO MITIGATE CLIMATE CHANGE USING SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION 

Climate change is a long-term change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods of time that range from decades to millions of years. Climate change may be limited to a specific region, or may occur across the whole Earth.

It has been realized that Kenya’s geographical location and low adaptive capacity make it very vulnerable to the effects of climate change. The African continent in itself has a relatively warm climate, poor soils and high variability in rainfalls and floods. These variations, which are likely to increase with climate change, have a major impact on key sectors such as agriculture, and on levels of poverty and disease. Science, Technology and Innovation therefore, have an indispensable role to play in efforts to understand and manage the full implications of climate change.

Among the many challenges that must be faced are the effects of climate change, access to clean water and health issues such as new flu viruses. But as problems arise, cities will also be the main laboratories for finding the answers. Science, Technology and Innovation must be at the center of these solutions. And it is in mega-cities that most of the cutting-edge science and technology developments are taking place.

In addition to that, Climate change presents many opportunities for Kenya and could serve as a catalyst to build more efficient, low-carbon economies to guarantee Kenya’s future development. For this goal to be realized, Kenya may have to develop innovative policies for climate change to guide the design of appropriate legal and regulatory frameworks and investment of human, financial and technological resources in development, and the acquisition, adaptation and diffusion of “green technologies and products”. Therefore, Science, Technology and Innovation policy for climate change is required to build capacity to respond effectively to the numerous threats and opportunities of climate change.

In understanding planning and adapting to a changing climate, innovation and innovative approaches are important for Kenya and other African countries to take advantage of opportunities and reduce risks. This is because innovation will bring new products, processes and services that could improve and enhance adaptation and mitigation strategies. As such, innovation will determine the ability of Kenya to generate new and improved products and processes to meet the challenges of climate change.

For an innovative country, Kenya, there are innovative approaches that must be considered to monitor transient water levels and for improved water harvesting and saving technologies. For instance, satellite technology can be used for daily monitoring of river levels and soil moisture, for efficient water resource management, especially in trans-boundary waterways.

Moreover, opportunities for developing countries like Kenya include carbon trading to raise revenues for Global Green House Gas emissions reducing projects that also contribute to sustainable development that we need to explore.

Producing and promoting drought tolerant diseases and pest resistant as well as early warning crop varieties through geographical information systems to map the spatial distribution of integrating early warning systems.

Promote energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies e.g. solar wind and biomass

Energy efficient innovations and technologies for instance  fuel from agricultural wastes bagasse from sugarcane.

Impact of climate change in Kenya improve climate friendly technologies as well as developing new ones.

Severe impact of the climate change could easily erode the progress so far made in attainment of vision 2030 and strive to mitigate its effects by adopting appropriate technologies.

 Climate change Pose threats to sustainable development as it negatively impacts virtually all sectors including health, agriculture, forestry and water resources.

Design specific research areas to address the impact, adaptation and ways to reduce vulnerability to climate change and devise ways of coping with the menace.

THE ROLE OF MEDIA IN COMMUNICATING SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

The Kenya’s Vision 2030 recognizes the role of Science and Technology (S&T) in a Knowledge Based Economy, in which new knowledge plays a great role in promoting the country’s economic status.

It has long been acknowledged that media play an important role in society by providing information that is critical to the way people comprehend and make sense of the world in which they live. The media do these by representing issues, interpreting and evaluating them and in the process helping make sense of the world and events on behalf of their audiences. The way people understand science and technology is influenced to a significant degree by media coverage, interpretation and presentation.

Communication Medias are very powerful tools that enable science and technology to be understood by many. The idea that someone’s perceptions and actions can be changed by information received through sight, sound or touch, is rather profound.  Even more so is the idea that, through exchanging information and ideas, people can influence and change the course of whole societies.

The normal way  in which   people access  information, basically; press  from  newsagents, radio, television and more recently free press  is being pushed aside by new  channels and media like websites, blogs, podcasts and google/news and by a gradual change in the  attitude of the  public  in terms of how  to  consume information and,  in general, science and technology. 

These channels help in facilitating the public understanding of science and technology in a clear and understandable manner.

Through the use of the mentioned Medias in communication, every individual that forms part of society will be in a position to increase their knowledge and understanding of new technologies and innovations, as well as their ability to make informed decisions and use the new applications derived from science in an effective way.

Communication between science and society is crucially important as it helps in informing the broader public about issues related to science, technology and innovations, it also helps to impact on policy-making and agenda- setting.

In addition to that,  it  also affects the  legitimacy of  research, and  it  plays  a  major   role  in the   governance  of  science,  technology and   risk. 

Moreover, blogs,   home  pages  and   open  source  publishing offer   scientists  more possibilities for distributing information to  each other, and  the  wider  public also  has  access to enormous amounts of information online.

In terms of communicating science and technology, the Medias are seen as brokers between science & technology and the public, framing the social reality for their readers and shaping the public consciousness about science & technology-related events. They are the preferred accessible Medias for many readers about science and technology.

Medias also help in bridging the knowledge gap of science and technology since enormous number of audience is reached. However, limited coverage could also be as a result of modest knowledge of science and technology within the media.

The media in Kenya have been  at  the  forefront  of  educating  the  public  on  matters relating to science and technology by  persistently, consistently and accurately conveying basic scientific information about new inventions and other technological advancements. In focusing on such information, the media can affect the scope and form of public knowledge, values, and action via their agenda setting, issue framing, and audience priming functions.

Lastly, the media industry should work closely with training institutions to introduce science curricula as a way of improving the understanding of science and technology issues. Such a foundation is crucial to long-term interest in the field and improvement in its coverage.

DEMYSTIFYING TECHNOLOGICAL DIPLOMACY

The term “science and technology diplomacy” means the provision of science and technology advice to multilateral negotiations and the implementation of the results of such negotiations at the national level. It, therefore, covers activities at both international level and national level pursuant to international commitments.

Science and technology have become key drivers of international relations and  knowledge in  key fields  is an essential prerequisite to effective international negotiations. Understanding the trends in science and technology globally is also a key element for successful national implementation of international agreements.

Agri-biotechnology for instance, has spurred public debate world over and is expected to induce changes in international relations among countries.

The Globalization wave is evident in all sectors of the world economy and science and technology is no exception. Since we cannot downplay its tremendous effects to shape and influence how we do business, and relate with other countries, the fundamental question is how do we utilize science and technology for diplomatic purposes?  The country need not wait for its competitors in tourism, horticulture, tea and coffee industry to capture its markets and then cry foul. We can adapt to changes in the global market through international relations to enhance our competitive- ness. Most of the global challenges facing the 21st Century such as climate change, food security, water and energy shortages, poverty eradication, and nuclear non-proliferation are no longer possible without the use of Science Technology and Innovation (STI). Science-particularly in the form of international collaborative partner- ships must play a pivotal role in ad- dressing these issues.

Humanity now faces many common challenges that can be addressed most effectively if nations pool and leverage their assets. There are two key features of the growth of scientific and technological knowledge that are central to international negotiations.

First, scientific knowledge is becoming increasingly specialized and there- fore demands greater expert input into international negotiations. Second, the application of science and technology to development requires the ability to integrate the divergent disciplines that are needed to solve specific problems. The influence and effectiveness of diplomats and inter- national civil servants increasingly depend upon the extent to which they can mobilize scientific and technical expertise in their work.

This should spur human resource development in science and technology to meet these global demands. Scientific collaboration allows for opportunities for training and research through the international exchange of researchers, joint research and international distribution of science and technology related information.

Indeed it has enabled the success of joint projects in advanced research fields for instance space and marine sciences.  Closer  home the  Kenya - South Africa collaboration in science and technology has enabled researchers in the two countries to undertake research  in water and human medicine through research  grants availed by the two countries.

Opportunities for Kenya through STI Diplomacy include: Establishing systems through which Kenya and other governments collaborating with her will help each other by strengthening capabilities to be able to independently resolve their problems and become self-reliant.

For instance the establishment of Universities of excellence within the East African block would help the member countries to train their countrymen using modern infrastructure already available in other countries to help cut costs and reduce duplication.

Sending Kenya’s excellent research results to the world has the potential to increase the country’s competitiveness by proposing its use for the benefit of human society. M-pesa is a classic example.

USING SCIENCE TO PROPEL AFRICA'S GROWTH  

Science and Technology is playing a central role in national economies all over the world and is also claiming increasing ground in the political arena.

Scientific technologies have brought revolutionary changes to virtually all sectors; take the example of the great leaps that have been realized in the medicine field, which have enabled the complete sequencing of the human genome and the cloning of the Dolly sheep. In agriculture, science has played a critical role in ensuring food security by the innovation of high yielding and drought resistant seeds as well as herbicide and pesticide tolerant plant varieties.

The explosion witnessed in the ICT pendency and connectivity and globalization and competition have drastically increased leading to increased world trade patterns and economic relations.

It is worthwhile to note that the tools of progress are within our reach. Science in general is not evolving in a socio-economic vacuum. The African public and politicians should have a direct interest in scientific advances and technological developments and should participate in the debate. With the experience of the industrialized nations-America and  the European countries together with Asian countries, which  have greatly improved their societies  after taking  up scientific technologies, Africa can embrace Science and Technology (S&T) as the propelling force needed to drive its hungry and poor nations into a food and energy secure dome, raising  the living standards of its inhabitants.

Science & Technology as the major propelling force of development gives rise to a set of issues and questions. For a better understanding of S&T and its applications, Africa requires familiarization with a wide range of issues. This would include; how to use S&T as the acting principle in decision making, how to implement scientific inventions, where to allocate resources and also how to measure our progress.

With the political, social and economic dynamics in mind, we should work towards renewing and broadening of scientific education at all ages, keeping pace of time. Incorporating science in the school curricular right from primary schools, secondary schools and the university level as a bridge from technology to the society should be encouraged to close the science knowledge gap.

In this connection, particular attention needs to be paid to the un- equal access to education as one of the main causes of the inequalities between men and women. Access to all levels of schooling can play a big role in expanding and enhancing the involvement of women in science and technology.

The control of science and technology is a domain that is overwhelmingly male dominated and yet the full participation of women in the development and application of S& T is critical to the socio-economic development of African countries. Social is- sues, for instance access to clean water a fuel are considered a woman’s business. Applying technologies like rainwater harvesting or turning waste water into safe drinking water and use of solar energy would greatly ease the burden off their shoulders.

Previously, academic science was divided into physics, biology, chemistry, geology and mathematics. The disciplines have now been used as building blocks for interdisciplinary research that cuts across the borders of the different fields, and the idea of creating a new academic field out of such research is taking shape.

Creation of “interdisciplinary science” would pave way for intensive interdisciplinary research making full use of and integrating the existing techniques and concepts of natural science in order to reach a deeper understanding of science and also form a new comprehensive academic system never seen before.

VOCATIONAL TRAINING IS A VITAL PART OF VISION 2030

VOCATIONAL TRAINING IS A VITAL PART OF VISION 2030 

The Vision 2030 has placed new demands on Technical & Vocational E d u c a t i o n   a n d Training (TVET) as a leading engine  that the economy must essentially rely upon to produce adequate levels of middle level  work force that  will be needed to drive the economy to- wards the attainment of the vision. For a very long term TVET has been shunned because of the poor perception that it is training ground for “failures” yet we need manpower with hands-on skills to work in our industries. Universities basically produce managers. Who will they manage if we do not train more technicians to work under them?  TVET institutions offer opportunity for many young people to gain technical skills both for self and formal employment.

There is therefore need to modernise the institutions so that they can offer quality technical training that is needed in the country. Whereas the ratio of engineers: technologists: technicians: artisans in developed countries stands at 1:2:4:12, the same ratio is 1:3:12:60 in developing countries. Best practices from countries like Germany, Australia and Korea with vibrant and focused TVET policies, and strategies have shown that TVET can provide human re- source for Kenya’s industrial trans- formation. A paradigm shift from time-bound, curriculum-based training to flexible and competency-based training is necessary for the revitalisation process. The taskforce on realignment of higher education, science and technology to the new Constitution proposes the introduction of flexible TVET programmes and modular training to enhance access to TVET.

The training programmes should be designed so as to operate within a framework, which  leads to life- long education and facilitates-in- novation and creativity; continuation of training for improvement of professional qualifications and updating of knowledge, skills and understanding.

Likewise there must be complementary education for those receiving technical, vocational and education training in the form of on-the-job training or other training in institutions or other facilities.

Teaching methods should encourage the linkage between science and technology on one hand and the learner’s culture and environment on the other as a way of improving the learning outcome and validating indigenous knowledge and technology for sustain- able development.

Incorporation of entrepreneur- ship skills and education could foster innovation and promote technology diffusion by equip- ping the TVET graduates with the ability to absorb, process, and integrate new ideas into production and service delivery.

TVET institutions must partner with similar or higher institutions, nationally and internationally for best practice and synergy. We need science and technology know-how to harness our resources, industrialise and participate in the global knowledge economy.

Science, technology, engineering and mathematics teaching must  equip graduates with skills relevant to market needs and ability to produce scientific knowledge and technological innovation that will contribute to development of globally  competitive knowledge- based society.