The government and private sector have been urged to set aside more funds for innovation and research in public universities.
The move will create more jobs for young innovators and researchers and enable them create technologies.
Meru University of Science and Technology Vice Chancellor Romanus Odhiambo said innovation and research will greatly uplift the youth ideas that can transform the country.
Speaking at the institution at Nchiru in Tigania West constituency during the launch of Meru University innovation and exhibition week, Prof. Odhiambo said there is great potential of research being converted into commercial innovative products.
He urged the national government to continue financing research components.
The VC said they are collaborating with Safaricom, Huawei and other young scientists.
“We appeal to people out there that there is untapped potential in research products that can be used to create Small and Medium Enterprises ( SMEs) hence creating jobs and impacting the community.
As Kenya moves to the future, there are a lot of solutions young people have when they study their courses in class and want to convert ideas into useful products,” said the VC.
He added: “The youth can gain a lot of knowledge and have ideas that can make Kenya play in the same league as the likes of Singapore. They only need more funds being channeled to them to enable research and innovation become more vibrant. I urge the government to continue funding such initiatives”.
He said that Meru University has a directorate of research, innovation, commercialization and extension meant to exploit the potential in research, innovation and commercialization areas and also in the community as students do community outreach.
Meru University Council Chairman Prof James Kanya said such exhibitions will help a lot in encouraging more innovators.
He said that as a university, they want to encourage their students to embrace innovation including those doing post graduate courses.
“We need to invent our own technology. I want to encourage students and others especially the youth to come up with ideas and showcase them. 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.
He said Kenya does not need to import technology because it is capable of creating own grown solutions.
Prof. Kanya said Meru University has resolved to support ideas that lead to great innovations.
Ms Naisenya Mungai who is in charge of Tech Lead Digital Transformation at Safaricom said the telco had partnered with Meru University of Science and Technology to run the innovation week where the company will be supporting students in various ways.
She said their staff will also be doing mentorship to the students.
Ms Naisenya said Safaricom would assist students on artificial Intelligence (AI) space in order for them to become AI engineers.
She said there are very few AI engineers in the country noting that they will offer jobs to some trainees once they complete their courses.
