Youth have been challenged to be innovative to create employment and boost industrial growth.
Zetech University vice chancellor Prof Njenga Munene said young people possess impressive innovative skills that should be nurtured, scaled up and absorbed in all sectors of the economy.
He said most institutions of higher learning have developed incubation hubs to nurture innovative ideas.
“Innovation leads to enhanced productivity, growth and employment. This is why we are persuading them to be innovative so that they can be among the drivers of economic developments in our country," Prof Munene said.
He said Zetech is providing innovators with technical support and space to advance their innovations.
Prof Munene spoke during a public lecture held jointly by Zetech University, Johns Hopkins Carey School of Business and Omarichet Space at the university’s campus in Ruiru.
He was accompanied by Omarichet Space chief technology officer Mukira Gitonga, deputy vice chancellor Dr Alice Njuguna, faculty members and students.
Munene said the government has put in place facilitative structures to invest in innovations.
He said high speed internet, road networks, electricity connections, the Ajira Youth empowerment centres and high quality basic and tertiary education facilitate innovations.
“The government has provided crucial supportive infrastructure for our innovative youths. We believe that major challenges facing the country like food, unemployment, security and health can be solved through these innovations,” Prof Munene said.
He said Zetech has partnered with the John Hopkins Carey School of Business in an exchange programme that seeks to promote innovations among their students.
RnD Associates's Rebecca Atanofu-Boyer urged students to tap into the innovation and technology opportunities provided by the government and universities.
