CHEMICAL SCIENCES OUT TO SPEAR HEAD ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATION

During the recent East and Southern Africa Environmental Chemistry (ESAEC) and Theoretical Chemistry in Africa (TCA) Forum, the chemical scientist matched out for the first time into a virgin and timely territory: Entrepreneurship and innovation in chemical sciences, under the umbrella of Pan Africa Chemistry Network (PACN).


The chemical scientist debated on the importance of encouraging entrepreneurship and fostering innovation in science, chemical sciences; and how appropriate education can assist in developing entrepreneur skills.


Indeed we are confronted with interesting and complex moments when the role of academic institutions must harness the importance of partnership between academia, large companies, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and entrepreneurs.


It is true that research in the chemical sciences support today’s economy and helps to build new industries. But the challenges confronting us are a testimony that we are far reaching the mark: The transfer of knowledge from research laboratories to commercial use need to be lubricated in a variety of different ways. This should include allowing academicians to work with the industry, enabling partnership and knowledge transfer with respect to specific challenges faced by the industry.


For long, developing counties have relied on natural resources, tourism, services and raw material (commodities and minerals trade, horticultural and agriculture produce) for economic growth. Thus the education system and hence research and technology endeavors are directed in meeting these economic drivers.


But the decline in growth of gross domestic product (GDP) from 7 percent in the 1970s to the current level of less than 4 percent or even negative GDP of most countries signals a need for a change of economic policy. This change is necessary if African countries are to compete effectively in a knowledge based economy - with an emphasis on investment to improve the science and technology learning process.


This calls for urgent prerequisites such as the establishment of a strong science, technology and innovation policy; formulation of national innovation system(s); clustering of institutions to maximize co-operation between private sector, universities and research institutions and government; and establishment of legal and institutional framework and regulations which are essential for business investment.


Yes, developing nations should come up with provision of incentives, loans, investments and guarantees to attract foreign investments and private sector participation. Restructuring how the government does business to provide strong government leadership through policy formulation and operations without strong government direct – and – obey practices is imperative.


Achieving these ends requires assessment of available resources and tapping those that exist, be they foreign based or indigenous. The premise that developing countries can only develop their basic sciences if assisted by development partners is neither sustainable nor workable.


On the provision of high quality manpower, there is very little interaction between industry and academia in Africa. Yet in the area of industrial and applied research African governments rely on specialized bodies that have no formal relationship with the university sector. Similarly, multinationals carry their research abroad resulting in no interaction with local university researchers or consultants. This leaves African university research in an isolated ivory tower with very little influence on the ground.


If Africa is to succeed, the governments should spear head a paradigm shift in the university research and development. With this reality, the chemical scientist from Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, UK, and USA among other countries that attended the 6th international conference dubbed as “Chemical Science for Development” from 5 – 8 October at Mombasa, put forward recommendations such as the Kenya government to finance the establishment of a “Science and Technology Park” with the aim of attracting local and international innovators and investors.


Since higher institutions have a critical role to play as intellectual hubs by serving as incubators for innovation and research as well as focal points for collaboration among researchers, students, professors, companies and entrepreneurs – they are the right platforms of addressing entrepreneurship education which requires both working with existing systems to devise ways of incorporating changes and launching initiatives outside the current structures.


This is possible if our institutions of higher learning are devising new ways of enhancing entrepreneurial behaviors and mindsets; are out to build self confidence and leadership in the students; are spear heading creativity, innovation and ability to think out of the box; are teaching how to manage complexity and unpredictable changes; are epitomizing the teaching of basic business and financial skills and how to build networks.


For this noble objectives to be realized in our institutions of learning implementation of interactive and multidisciplinary learning is necessary – which should include multidisciplinary projects or programs. Use of visual, digital tools and multimedia should be fortified while teaching using hand on methods enhanced – with increased work in the laboratories and trial/error lessons embraced.


Yes, internship with companies or start-ups should be regular adventure as well as enabled interaction with entrepreneurs, while lectures facilitating mentoring and coaching. This will prepare university students for work in a dynamic, competitive and rapidly changing global environment as opposed graduating to raise the unemployment percentage.


Carlo Tortora di Belvedere, CEO Alchemy World from Ethiopia discussed both the development of entrepreneurship in regard to growth and opportunity and its effectiveness as a mechanism for growth through social inclusion: marginalized individuals ( the very poor, women, minorities, disabled, disadvantaged) should be engaged in productive economic activity.


Above all a coherent integration of academic institutions, companies and entrepreneurs, policy makers, institution of higher learning, NGOs and organization such as the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) and the Kenya Chemical Societies (KSC) is necessary as they play their rightful role in nurturing entrepreneurship.