NATIONAL SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND Headquarters
The National Council for Science and Technology is mandated to advice, promote, coordinate and popularise ST&I) in the country. The NCST wishes to thank the(Government, researchers and stakeholders for their assistance and invaluable support to NCST in achieving its mandate. Globally, ST&I is a key driver for economic development. In this regard, ST&I is recognized as the bedrock for the achievement of Vision 2030. There is therefore need to put in more resources for promotion of ST&I. Since the establishment of the NCST in 1977, the Council has worked closely with the Universities both public and private, research institutions, ST&I training institutions, Government ministries and Departments in ST&I, National and International scientific societies and organizations and independent researchers with the aim of promoting ST&I in the country. Integration of ST&I in national production processes is key to Governments policy priorities and programmes as outlined under vision 2030. Development of the necessary scientific and technological infrastructure as well as technical and entrepreneurial skills is a prerequisite for economic development. In this regard, research institutions have been established and in the effort to develop and apply science and technology to address the
country’s development priorities leading to problem-solving scientific research and innovations. NCST continue to lay emphasis on the transformative research and innovations that leads to; development for industrialization, demand rather than supply driven research and innovation, multidisciplinary and multi-institutional research, publications, patents, products and commercialisation. The NCST Administers the Kenya Government ST&I grant. The grant supports research and innovations in priority areas in relation to Vision2030, Medium term plan and Sector plans. Since the financial year2008/09 to date, NCST has supported177 research projects, 73 women scientist projects, 41 innovations, 139 Ph.D projects, 93 M.Sc projects, 19 Post-Doctorate projects, 8 research facilities in different universities, and47 ST&I related conferences. There is also support in joint research projects with other foreign partners outside Kenya. These include: 16 Kenya- South Africa, and 4 Kenya- Japanese Society for Promotion of Science. In addition there is a Memorandum of Understanding between Kenya and German Government to train 20 PhD students annually. Most of the developed countries have invested greatly in research. Kenya is at almost 0.4% of the GDP, South Africa 0.97%, and Tanzania 1%. We wish that the government considers increasing the support for research & Development to at least 1% of the GDP as recommended by AU in 2006 so as to realise impact that will drive us to achieving the vision 2030. Some of the achievement of NCST in addition to the science grant include: Providing advice for establishment of space science secretariat: National Bio-safety Authority, drafting of bills for bio-sciences, Atomic Energy Commission. The completion of NCST headquarters building will be one of the major achievements of the government in promoting ST&I in the country. The six storey building located on a 2.5 acres, in Kabete/Kangemi off Waiyaki Way will address the challenges that we are facing in regard to office space, conference facilities, car parking and the National Research Laboratory. This work is closely supervised by the Ministry of Public Works as a government project. I wish to take this opportunity to thank the Government of Kenya for the financial support and commitment in assisting to build the NCST headquarters; Ministry of Public Works the Council Members, and all our key stakeholders and development partners for their continued support. NCST will continue to achieve its vision of an advisory institution of excellence on matters of ST&I.
