Researchers in the country have been challenged to provide solutions to problems facing Kenyans through their work.
Zetech University Vice Chancellor Prof Njenga Munene said scholars in the country can play a pivotal role in providing solutions to the day-to-day challenges facing Kenyans.
Speaking during the launch of Zetech Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Technology Hub at the university’s main campus in Ruiru on Friday, Munene said researchers can influence policy making decisions for the country through their work.
The VC said problems including poverty, diseases, unemployment, drought, depression and non-communicable diseases, corruption and child labour among others can be solved through research.
“We have a mandate as a university and researchers to join hands with like-minded partners to conduct need-driven research and disseminate the findings so that we can offer solutions to the social-economic problems facing the society,” Munene said.
He divulged that the university has invested in research and innovation, adding that with the opening of the Innovation Hub, the university will be able to hone and incubate innovations and researches.
“We will ensure our researchers, both students and members of the faculty, commercialise their findings and innovations. We will register them with the Kenya Industrial Property Institute so that they can patent their work for their own benefit and that of the society,” Munene said.
The VC advised researchers to go beyond undertaking research on problems afflicting the society and ensure their research findings are known and in turn help in policy making processes at the National and county levels.
“It is also important to disseminate the research output to influence policies as well as conduct research capacity building workshops so as to mentor other upcoming researchers and scholars,” he said.
While noting that the Covid-19 has changed the way of living for everyone across the globe, Munene told students as well as researchers to embark on extensive research and innovations that will help people cope with the pandemic.
“Innovation and research must become part of lives, whether it is the way we grow crops or in technology, we must be innovative. The fact nowadays remains that the market place is for the highly innovative entities.”
BIMAS Kenya Limited CEO Dr Patrick Gathondu who graced the event urged students to be techno-savvy and entrepreneurial so that they can have a competitive edge in the job market.
“We must create technologies that will help us survive in this world. We are actually thriving because of technology. Again all learners and the faculty must realise that entrepreneurship is the express way to change,” he said.
Gathondu also echoed Munene’s sentiments saying that academic institutions must align to society and industry needs by investing in research and development.
-Edited by SKanyara
