Dr. Sylvance Okoth, Executive Secretary, EASTECO; Prof. Gaspard Banyankimbona, Executive Secretary, IUCEA, and Prof. Walter O. Oyawa, Director General of the National Commission for Science, Technology & Innovation (NACOSTI) launching the East African Regional Science, Technology and Innovation Policy 2023-2033 & East African Regional Intellectual Property (IP) Policy 2023-2033.
Following the Treaty for establishment of the East African Community (EAC) which recognizes Science and Technology as a key driver for sustainable socio-economic development in the region.The third Regional science, tech conference for East Africa community member States has opened in Nairobi bringing together policy makers, industry players, academicians, researchers, innovators, students and development partners.
Speaking during the opening ceremony the Director General of the National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI), Dr Walter Oyawa, on behalf of Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Education Ezekiel Machogu said the Draft Sessional Paper on Education 2024 proposes an allocation of 2% towards research with at least a third of that amount going towards TVETS and another third towards universities.The biennial conference builds on the deliberations and success of the 1st and 2nd conferences, which were held, respectively, in Kampala, Uganda in 2019 and Bujumbura, Burundi in 2021.
Mr Machogu said Kenya plans to have at least one national polytechnic in each of the 47 counties. .”
This year three day conference is hosted jointly by the East African Science and Technology Commission (EASTECO) and the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA).Under the auspices of the East African Community (EAC), themed, “Accelerating development and diffusion of Science, Technology and Innovation solutions for a green, inclusive and resilient East Africa.”
The Executive Secretary of EASTECO, Dr Sylvance Okoth, said the conference will provide an important forum for exchanging scientific information, and in the process, create new linkages and strengthen bonds of collaboration.
On his part, IUCEA Executive Secretary Prof Gaspard Banyankimbona underscored the importance of utilizing research to improve livelihoods.
Present during the conference are the Executive Secretaries of IUCEA and EASTECO, Prof Gaspard Banyankimbona and Dr Sylvance Okoth,donor representatives ,representatives of EAC Partner States, the African Union, Regional Economic Communities, civil society, business and industry organizations, academic and research institutions.
