| Written by Daniel Saenyi |
Students from all over the republic at Bungoma high School where they will showcase their projects as they mark the the 49th National Students Congress on Science and Technology.
The 49th National Students Congress on Science and Technology at national level which is being held at Bungoma High School aims at exploring new development strategies to capture long term development of the country to achieve Vision 2030.
The event is under “Science and Technology for Sustainable Development” which focuses on poverty reduction through science and technology and safeguarding the needs for the future generation. This years’ congress follows three aspects environment, society/ culture and economy to attain vision 2030.
Science and Technology in Kenya not only lacks infrastructure and funding but perhaps more critically they lack the exposure that will lead to both of these. We need to do more to encourage the visibility of our scientists both young and old. The National Council for Science and Technology aims at encouraging young talents to come up and show case their abilities through the National Students Congress on Science and Technology.
Mr. Shaukat Abdulrazak, the secretary National Council for Science and Technology addressing students during the official opening of the 49th edition.
According Mr. Shaukat Abdulrazak, the secretary National Council for Science and Technology, the event is held to find out how young minds can be used to solve problems the country is facing through science. It’s important to address issues and come up with centers of excellence so we can be able to solve topical issues affecting our country.
Science and technology should be seen and heard by everyone in the world because it’s the bedrock of Vision 2030, political leaders, though non was in attendant at the event were urged to be keen on such event because they hold the development ideas for the future in their regions.
As much as talent is showcased at these events, most of it goes to waste because it is never actualized so most of the ideas are forgotten once the event is over at the national level.
“This year is going to be different from other years because the projects will be documented so each participant will be able to take credit for their projects. No one will take students ideas as their own and if the projects are good they might be actualized,” Said Mrs. Margaret Njaggah, the National vice chairman for the science congress executive committee.
Mr. Shaukat, urged teachers not to terrify students of science subject because they hold the key to development. He insisted that they treat sciences as languages so the students can develop a positive attitude towards the subject.
“I want to ask all teachers who teach sciences to make their students develop an optimistic attitude towards the subject, especially female students. You should not be too strict with your students but instead develop a friendly atmosphere so the students can get rid of their fear for the teacher and the subject,” Said Mr. Shaukat.
He added that the teachers should enhance their education by pursuing further education so as to keep up with the changing technology and be able to assist and understand their students’ projects.
The youth in the society were also urged to bring out their science related innovation so that they assisted in actualizing them. The National Council for Science and Technology has been awarded funds by the government to be used in developing the young innovators in the society. Two trophies were donated by the professor and one by the science lab sponsors for the winners
The council is directed to offer up to one million shillings in actualizing the projects and any person who has a scientific project that can be used for development can present it to the council because there are no academic qualifications to receive the fund.
Some of the projects funded by the NCST are a fish caller that is put in water then it attracts fish through sound, a mobile charging system powered by a bicycle that is to be launched in western province in the course of the year.
Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Technical Computer Science, Home Science and Agriculture will be this year’s key topics. The congress will end on Saturday.
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