In Kenya, consumers often face steep prices for certain imported goods, unlike their Western counterparts. It's paradoxical that while Kenyan consumers substantially contribute to the profits of multinational corporations by purchasing their products, Kenyan research institutions receive little to no support from these corporations' extensive Research and development budgets.
Kenyan roads are filled with well-known automobile brands like Toyota, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen. Apple iPhones and Samsung phones dominate the mobile market, alongside other electronic devices. Despite generating significant revenue from these products in Kenya, hardly any funds are allocated to support research endeavours within the country.
Kenyan universities, much like those in other parts of Africa, grapple with a pressing issue – inadequate funding, limited resources and systemic challenges. These hurdles hinder their ability to offer quality education and attract students, researchers and scholars.
In contrast, globally renowned universities are celebrated for their academic excellence and robust research programmes, largely funded by substantial support from foundations and endowment funds. This financial backing enables them to attract top students and faculty, conduct groundbreaking research and provide a world-class education.
Another significant funding source for leading universities worldwide is research and development. Multinational corporations across the globe invest heavily in their R&D departments to drive innovation, develop products and services, enhance operations and stay competitive.
In 2018, some of the world's largest multinational companies, such as Amazon, Alphabet, Volkswagen, Samsung, Microsoft, Huawei, Intel, Apple, Roche, Johnson & Johnson, Daimler and Merck US, collectively invested nearly $2.3 trillion (Sh337 trillion) in R&D, according to www.mckinsey.com.
These corporations often collaborate with academic institutions, providing financial support for research projects at universities worldwide. These partnerships not only keep universities updated with industry trends but also foster valuable connections with potential employers for their graduates.
Developing nations, including Kenya, often face the challenge of shouldering the financial burden of funding research and development. This results in underfunded research programmes, limited access to cutting-edge technology and equipment and a shortage of qualified personnel.
The failure to invest adequately in developing nations hampers their ability to nurture local industries and manufacture their products, and perpetuates their reliance on imports, further deepening economic disparities between developed and developing nations.
To rectify these imbalances and redirect the substantial R&D investments of multinational brands and services sold in Kenya toward local universities, legislative intervention is vital.
Legislation and policies must be enacted to compel these corporations to allocate a portion of their R&D budget to Kenyan academic institutions, corresponding to the amount spent by Kenyan consumers on these brands.
Key sectors that demand attention within this legislation include dominant mobile phone handset providers and automobile manufacturers.
These corporations should be mandated to contribute a portion of their research budget to Kenyan universities, reinvigorating the research landscape, fostering innovation and promoting cutting-edge research. This legislative initiative represents a crucial step toward bridging the educational and research gap between developed and developing nations.
To execute this vision effectively, the government can introduce regulations requiring multinational corporations operating in Kenya to allocate a specific percentage of their R&D budget to Kenyan universities and research institutions.
This approach ensures that these institutions gain access to state-of-the-art technology, knowledge and resources, enabling them to make significant contributions to global scientific advancements.
In summary, the urgency of encouraging multinational corporations to invest in Kenyan universities and research institutions cannot be overstated.
The introduction of appropriate legislation serves as a pivotal catalyst for these investments, paving the way for a more equitable distribution of scientific progress and economic growth. This transformation not only benefits developing countries like Kenya but also fosters a stronger global community.
