Kenya and Korea launch knowledge sharing program

Kenya and Korea on Tuesday launched a Knowledge Sharing Program (KSP) that will support implementation of a Digital Media City (DMC) at Konza Technopolis by June 2019.
Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of the Republic of Korea Ms. Dahee Song said KSP would provide a national platform for professionals from both countries to exchange ideas, discuss challenges, and find solutions that would foster development.
Noting that KSP is a vital engine for innovation and a key factor in driving development, Song said through the program, Kenya would leverage on Korea’s practical experience in development, acquired through trial and error over time, without re-inventing the wheel.
KSP Senior Advisor Mr. Kim Joong Kyum said the program would provide room for focused consultations on development of Konza Technopolis master plan and its implementation.
He noted that Kenya is key among industrially developing states and stands to benefit more from Korea as “Korea is regarded as one of the fastest world growing economy after the First World War”.
Kyum underscored the importance of government policies in any country’s development, noting that Kenya’s Vision 2030 is well formulated and is very promising for Kenya’s economic development.
Principal Secretary Ministry of ICT Jerome Ochieng said Korea government’s approval of Kenya’s proposal for the project paved way for getting a grant to undertake a feasibility study and make policy recommendation for the proposed project.
“The proposed Digital Media City will have gaming, animation, film and photography centers that contribute to Knowledge Economy and Innovation, which is the second most important pillar of Konza Technopolis Project,” said the PS.
In a speech delivered on his behalf by ICT Chief Finance Officer Christopher Kariuki, the PS noted that media and entertainment industries were some of the fastest growing sectors in Kenya, adding that “the sector is valued at 1.8 billion dollars and forecasted to surpass three billion by 2019.”
He further revealed that the DMC would provide an ecosystem that promotes training, research and innovation in the digital media and entertainment industries in Kenya and Africa region.
“Digital Media refers to content that is generated through computer technology, disseminated through the internet and accessed by an equally technology savvy audiences through digitized devices,” said the PS
He said for the last two decades, the media landscape globally has continued to experience a tremendous shift as a result of the influence of the dynamic technology.
The knowledge-driven economic cooperation under KSP is designed to share Korea’s development experiences with partner countries to promote sustainable socio-economic development.
Korea’s partners in knowledge sharing have increased over the years, from two in 2004 to 55 in 2017.
By Habel Shiloli