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Kaimenyi roots for more academic research

University dons told to innovate or perish. CFM.

University dons told to innovate or perish. CFM.

Arusha, Tanzania Oct 27 – Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Education, Science and Technology, Prof Jacob Kaimenyi , has urged university lecturers in East Africa to embrace academic research to help the solve problems facing the region.

He also urged participants of this year’s Academia-Private Sector Forum and Exhibitions 2013 to share what they had learnt, especially with policy makers to help provide solutions.

In order to promote the use and integration of technology in productive systems, the cabinet secretary stressed the need to promote research and innovation in institutions of higher learning.

“Innovate or perish. We, as East African Community, should make the number of our innovations part of our performance contracting for all dons so that we can energise them and make some certain demands upon them to innovate,” Prof Kaimenyi said at a gala dinner hosted by the East African Community at a Nairobi at the weekend.

On research, Prof Kaimenyi said that dons keep on making all kinds of excuses on why they are not carrying out research like the rest of the world.

“When we send our people to America, Europe and the rest of the world, they are able to compete competitively with the best in the world,” he said.

He urged the participants to share the knowledge they have gained with the rest of the people in their countries. “Make what you have learnt here a policy in your own country,” he stressed.

Professor Kaimenyi’s sentiments were echoed by the acting chairman of the EAC Council of Ministers Prof Tarsis Bazana Kabwegyere from Uganda “you should research or resign,” he stated.

The Minister told those present that 84 per cent of the universities in Germany were science- based and hence it was no wonder that Germany is the strongest economy in Europe.

The EAC Secretary General, Dr Richard Sezibera, assured those present during the gala dinner that the forum’s resolutions would be closely followed up.

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Participants of this year’s exhibitions were awarded certificates during the event.

(This is an East African News Agency (EANA) report)

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