The government has been urged to allocate more funds towards research and innovation in institutions of higher learning to reduce the importation of talent and technology that can be created in the country.
Speaking during the launch of the Meru University Innovation and Exhibition Week, Vice Chancellor (VC) Romanus Odhiambo said that there is great potential in innovative research that can be converted into very commercially viable products.
“There is a lot of potential in research products that can be used to boost the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) industry hence creating jobs and impacting the community.
The VC said they are currently collaborating with Safaricom, Huawei and young scientists towards that end.
“The youth can gain a lot of knowledge and come up with ideas that can make Kenya be like Singapore. They only need more funds being channeled to them to enable vibrancy in the fields. I’m urging the government to continue funding such initiatives,” he said.
Meru University Council Chairman Prof. James Kanya said that such exhibitions help a lot in encouraging more innovators to showcase their work.
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He said that as a university, they encourage students to embrace innovation including those doing post-graduate courses.
“There is need to continue supporting young innovators. As a council we have agreed to support any idea that is going to improve the wellness of the community,” said Prof. Kanya.
Naisenya Mungai, Tech Lead, Digital Transformation at Safaricom, said that they partnered with Meru University to run the innovation week, where their staff also mentored students.
Naisenya said that Safaricom wants to assist students on Artificial Intelligence (AI) to become AI engineers.
She noted that there are very few AI engineers in the country, adding that they will offer jobs to a number of trainees once they complete their courses.
By John Majau
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