By Arsénio Manhice (Mozambique)
The initiatives of public and private sectors on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) must be synchronised if Africa is to develop and eradicate poverty which affects, mostly rural communities, said Kabiru Kinyanjui, the Coordinator of Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in Africa at the Association for Development for Education in Africa (ADEA). Kinyanjui was speaking at the official opening of a three-day ST&I conference under the theme: “For Youth Employment, Human Capital Developments and Inclusive Growth”.
His speech was part of a session on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Education and Labor Market in Africa. Held in Nairobi, Kenya from 1st to 3rd April 2012. “The strategies of the African nations should be to create jobs and, at the same time, to improve the teaching and learning of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) from foundation to university”, he said. The graduates should not be trained only for private sector but to be able to create their own initiatives in the societies. For example, there are new findings of gas, coal and other mineral resources in Mozambique. The young people must take advantage of this without waiting to be employed.
Although the Governments are implementing some educational programs as a response to the challenges, Kinyanjui says job creation is not readily available.
The scenario is worsened considering the number of graduates who are not in employment. “This happens because the economics models adopted in many countries are not directed to job creation.
The schools must teach skills for the present and future challenges”, he said. The aid from Europe, Asian and American continents must be brought and implemented considering the traditional knowledge of many communities in Africa. Media on the move The media must be involved in plans related to STI being implemented in Africa.
Kinyanjui understands that the media is very critical for dissemination of informing on what is going on. The media can also initiate debate on how the countries can develop science, technology and innovation.
“Every day we are told about new resources found in Africa. We need to turn these into opportunities to young people. The media need to bring that on the debate”, he observed. About the Forum, his opinion is favorable but the event only can be a good initiative as far as the countries implement the decisions because in many cases Africa makes declaration but are not being implemented.
This must change. The same position was taken by Christopher Tan, director Electrical & Electronics and Innovation Economic Transformation Programme, at the Performance Management & Delivery Unit (PEMANDU) under Prime Minister’s office, Government of Malaysia.
The Ministries of Education and Science must work together on the contents of the books used to teach. At the same time, the universities, the public and the private sector need to coordinate better their programs on education. The use of STI must be part of the process of education. Apart from that, people too must be keen to learn about the use of STI in their lives.
The initiatives of public and private sectors on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) must be synchronised if Africa is to develop and eradicate poverty which affects, mostly rural communities, said Kabiru Kinyanjui, the Coordinator of Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in Africa at the Association for Development for Education in Africa (ADEA). Kinyanjui was speaking at the official opening of a three-day ST&I conference under the theme: “For Youth Employment, Human Capital Developments and Inclusive Growth”.
His speech was part of a session on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Education and Labor Market in Africa. Held in Nairobi, Kenya from 1st to 3rd April 2012. “The strategies of the African nations should be to create jobs and, at the same time, to improve the teaching and learning of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) from foundation to university”, he said. The graduates should not be trained only for private sector but to be able to create their own initiatives in the societies. For example, there are new findings of gas, coal and other mineral resources in Mozambique. The young people must take advantage of this without waiting to be employed.
The scenario is worsened considering the number of graduates who are not in employment. “This happens because the economics models adopted in many countries are not directed to job creation.
The schools must teach skills for the present and future challenges”, he said. The aid from Europe, Asian and American continents must be brought and implemented considering the traditional knowledge of many communities in Africa. Media on the move The media must be involved in plans related to STI being implemented in Africa.
Kinyanjui understands that the media is very critical for dissemination of informing on what is going on. The media can also initiate debate on how the countries can develop science, technology and innovation.
“Every day we are told about new resources found in Africa. We need to turn these into opportunities to young people. The media need to bring that on the debate”, he observed. About the Forum, his opinion is favorable but the event only can be a good initiative as far as the countries implement the decisions because in many cases Africa makes declaration but are not being implemented.
This must change. The same position was taken by Christopher Tan, director Electrical & Electronics and Innovation Economic Transformation Programme, at the Performance Management & Delivery Unit (PEMANDU) under Prime Minister’s office, Government of Malaysia.
The Ministries of Education and Science must work together on the contents of the books used to teach. At the same time, the universities, the public and the private sector need to coordinate better their programs on education. The use of STI must be part of the process of education. Apart from that, people too must be keen to learn about the use of STI in their lives.
No comments:
Post a Comment