State Department for Citizen Services and Immigration Principal Secretary (PS), Julius Kibet Bitok, has challenged universities in Kenya to be part of the country’s ongoing transformation through innovation and creativity.
Speaking at Chuka University during a public lecture organised by the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Prof Bitok acknowledged that the government has prioritised programmes meant to support the young people, especially in shaping their entrepreneurial skills, asking institutions of higher learning to support young minds with ideas and commercialisation in order to create vital value chains.
“We cannot continue importing goods that we can manufacture locally. We must empower the youth to be creative, innovative and have the right ideas to improve on value chains. We believe that universities can be part of this transformation, where people are able to imagine, think, create and utilise innovation. Our future is in the young people,” he stressed.
The PS noted that the new academic funding model, was being refined to ensure students access education without challenges, assuring that President William Ruto’s Administration, was committed to finding a lasting solution to the few hitches being witnessed.
“A team is in place to ensure every student is able to access university education. The model is being refined to ensure all parties, are happy at the end of it all and can access university education, without major challenges,” he added.
Dr Narendra Raval, who was the main Speaker at the public lecture, said as industrialists and entrepreneurs they were ready to support the government in lowering on importation, adding that there was need to ignite a spirit of entrepreneurship among the Kenyan youth, to create wealth and purpose in life.
“Entrepreneurship is the key to a successful society and eradicating poverty. Let the change to transform the country start with our youth. We need to help them know what is good for them and support them to envision, in order to achieve. They must have a goal, a commitment and vitality in them to drive change,” he said.
Chuka University Vice Chancellor, Prof Henry Mutembei, said there was need for universities to connect with industrialists and entrepreneurs, to help transition from theory to skills and innovations, that can help transform the country.
“Such public lectures inspire students, to be more innovative and transform knowledge into a source of income. We look forward to more collaborations and forums. We need such connections, to help our students get practical skills,” he said.
Tharaka Member of Parliament (MP), George Gitonga Murugara, acknowledged university education, as an investment that need to be developed through commitment, diligence and hard work to experience success.
“Universities are meant to be hubs for innovation. Students should become entrepreneurs from scratch and come-up with products that can be sold in the market. We should see more patents to attract investments,” he said.
Chuka Igambang’ombe MP, Patrick Munene, noted the importance of turning knowledge into wealth, where he asked the government and other stakeholders, to consider funding more student projects, to show innovation pays.
During the event, Pamela Apuko, a Chuka University student, an innovator received Sh 600,000 funding, from the PS and Sh 1.3 million from Dr Raval, for her biogradable sanitary pad project, made from banana fibre. Her innovation which was showcased at the event, has attracted widespread interest and is incubated at the Chuka University.
The function was also attended by Chuka University Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof Gilbert Nduru, among other university stakeholders.
By David Mutwiri
