PARTNERSHIP TO SPUR KNOWLEDGE DRIVEN ECONOMY

Kenya's National Council for Science and Technology and the British Council have agreed to expand Africa Knowledge Transfer Partnership (AKTP) to provide opportunities for businesses improvement for competitiveness and productivity through a better use of higher education knowledge, technology and expertise.

The aim, according the British Council, is to help companies improve their productivity and competitiveness by using the scientific knowledge, technology and skills available in higher education institutions through collaborative projects.

The Minister for Higher Education, Science and Technology Dr Sally Kosgey says the programme will encourage economic growth through technology transfer to industry and commercialization of research findings.

The partnership, she says, presents opportunities for Kenya to revamp its national innovation system and is expected to “not only strengthen academic and private sector partnerships but also bridge the gap between the industry, universities and research institutions.”

Prof. Shem Wandiga, the director for the centre for science and technology innovations, a UNESCO associated centre says that this is a timely move that will see university research findings implemented in our industries.

However, funding, managing innovations and knowledge transfer presents a challenge in East Africa , Kosegey admits. The Kenyan government is working on several initiatives including setting up an Innovation Fund and a national Innovation Agency to bring in structures that ensure a well coordinated innovation system is realized.

This partnership with The British Council is expected to help Kenya through exchange of experience in funding and managing knowledge transfer programmes.

It’s envisioned that this programme will put Kenya on the path towards achieving Vision 2030 by creating a knowledge-based economy, and building capacity in knowledge management that would spur scientific development and innovation.

Knowledge in this partnership is transferred through projects, usually lasting two years which are undertaken in the industry by a recently qualified person under the supervision of a company manager and a university researcher. At the end of the project the company decides whether it will permanently recruit the associate at management level - in the UK . So far 75 per cent of the associates have been retained by some 3,000 participating companies.

British Council Country Director in Kenya , Alison Coutts, says this programme is well-aligned with Vision 2030 and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology's goal to build a national culture that promotes science, technology, innovation and quality higher education for prosperity and global competitiveness.


Higher Education, Science and Technology Permanent Secretary, Prof. Chrispus Kiamba, says local industry needed innovations tailored for local requirements and that the partnership was a “milestone in national development”.

“We recognize that it is crucial for us to encourage the generation of affordable, accessible and appropriate technologies. This can best be done in a supportive environment that facilitates free flow of information,” Kiamba says. He too challenged the private sector to grasp the opportunity and explore what universities and research institutions can offer.

(THANKS TO UWN WRITERS WHOSE STORY GAVE ME THE BACKGROUND OF THIS STORY)