Universities have been urged to collaborate in research to tackle social-economic problems.
Zetech University vice chancellor Njenga Munene said most societal challenges that the country faces including poverty, illnesses, drought, unemployment among others can be solved through research.
Munene spoke at the university on Wednesday during the MoU signing with entrepreneurship firm, Wylde International.
The deal will see the two collaborate in joint research activities, donor funding, joint contract bidding for consultancies, among other mutually beneficial projects.
They will also engage in knowledge-creation, deriving new methodologies and concepts that provide solutions to the existing societal challenges, through the Zetech Innovation Entrepreneurship and Technology Hub .
“Institutions of higher learning in the country have the capacity to help provide solutions to many problems that the country including corruption through research,"Munene said.
"Our researchers can influence policy making decisions for the country through their research and therefore help address the challenges the country face. I appeal to our University to collaborate in tackling these challenges.”
The VC said that the collaboration should also rope in other like-minded entities to engage in research and dissemination of findings that will necessitate changes.
“As institutions of higher learning, we have the mandate to join forces with a variety of organisations and look into what is holding our country back both socially and economically, ” he said.
Munene urged researchers to go beyond studying problems afflicting the society and ensure their findings are known and in turn help in policy making processes at the national and county levels.
“It’s also important to disseminate the research output to influence policies an well as conduct research capacity building workshops so as to mentor other upcoming researchers and scholars,” he said.
On his part, Wylde International director, Kiriinya Kithinji expressed his optimism in what would come of the pact.
“At Wylde, we empower businesses and institutions to achieve their potential and excel in their mandate," Kithinji said.
"We look forward to a successful collaboration and even fruitful pact with Zetech University in the next three years.”
(Edited by Francis Wadegu)
