RESEARCH, INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP: ESSENTIALS FOR SOCIO-ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION

BY

Salome Guchu

Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology

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OUTLINE

Introduction

Towards a Knowledge based economy

Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship

ST&I essentials for socio-economic transformation

Building an Innovative and Entrepreneurial Culture

INTRODUCTION

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Nation’s socio-economic transformation rests on an innovation-driven growth.

In Kenya’s long-term development blueprint, Vision 2030 - the main goal is to transform into a knowledge-based economy

Key assets that drive a knowledge-based economy include advanced research, patents and high quality relevant graduates.

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Current Status: Kenya is still a factor-driven economyContd…

Source: The Global Competitiveness Report 2011-2012, World Economic Forum

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A KNOWLEDGE –BASED ECONOMY Must have research that leads to increased products

Products

Prototypes

IP (Patents, trademarks, Industrial designs, Utility

Models)

Publications

Scientific Research: Basic & Applied

• Always ensure there is growth in the overlapping interrelationship

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Transformation of

knowledge into

moneyTransformation of

money into knowledge

Dedicate to reinvesting innovation

returns in knowledge creation

Must have a complete cycle of knowledge to money

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THE JOURNEY: KNOWLEDGE TO MONEY

Is it a smooth straight forward progression?

KNOWLEDGE MONEY

NO

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Scientific Research

Inventions

Valley of Death

Innovations

&

New Businesses

Viable Businesses

Darwinian Sea

THE JOURNEY

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KNOWLEDGE BASED ECONOMY

Strongly rooted in Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship

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RESEARCH, INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

What are the ST&I Essentials for Socio-economic Transformation?

i. ST&I POLICY – The guiding principle

FIVE Key Components

ST&I for Policy: Customization to the needs of nationalsocio-economic transformation programme e.g. is itcustomized to support Kenya Vision 2030

Policy for ST&I: Measures to strengthen nation’s ST&Icapacity and capability in terms of institutions, mandates,personnel, funding and linkages must be part of ST&I policy

Private Sector buy in: Participation and commitment ofboth public and private sector in implementation andsuccess of nation’s socio-economic transformationprogramme.

ST&I Governance: Ensure effective consultation,coordination, collaboration and harmonization of ST&I.

ST&I and Community: Supportive and knowledgeablesociety is key for advancement of ST&I in a country

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ii. NATIONAL INNOVATION SYSTEM

Knowledge generation and acquisition

Knowledge utilization and commercialization

A Well developed interface

• Involve various ST&I actors in academia, industry and Government >>> To ensure a well developed interface

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Web of Interaction

Industry and Business community

(Manufacturers, Service providers,

customers)

Academia

(Universities, RIs, TVETs)

Financial Sector (Venture capitalists, Banks, Business angels, investors)

Government

(Policy coordination,

regulatory and administrative

environment, R&D Funding)

Innovation Support

(Technology commercialization offices/centres, S&T parks, Incubators, clusters ,networks)

Dynamic and effective interaction among various

ST&I actors – A must for innovative and entrepreneurial Society

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iii. ROLE OF INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING Recognize that wealth is generated through creating and

harnessing the value of knowledge.

Embrace the complete cycle of innovation and entrepreneurship: Generation, utilization, dissemination and translation of knowledge.

Provide solutions through real world

experiences

Generate Knowledge

Translate Knowledge

(Innovation and Entrepreneurship))

Disseminate Knowledge

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Generate adequate human capital taking in to accountquality and relevancy to the needs of the country.

Ensure provision of a complete human resource pyramidto move national ST&I agenda

Champions

Advisors

Popularisers

Planners

Managers

Educators

Practitioners

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iv. SMART PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATIONS

• Global Partnerships and collaborations enhance

access to international frontiers of science and

technology

• Interact to Secure high levels of scientific advances

and technological progress

>>> Connect Globally to Develop Locally and Regionally

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iv. POLITICAL COMMITMENT

Bedrock without which the desired socio-economic transformation cannot be achieved.

• Allocation of funds

• Provision of suitable environment

To ensure generation of innovative human capital and effective implementation of national ST&I agenda in line with Policy

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BUILDING AND SUSTAINING AN INNOVATIVE & ENTREPRENEURIAL CULTURE: GETTING

IT RIGHT

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i. Team work:

Always understand that everyone matters, therefore MUST seek to work together with others.

ii. Be Solution oriented:

• Focus on creating solutions and not on avoiding failure.

• Should expect and accept failures may come but be willing to persevere.

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iii. Be Customer driven:

• Understand that Customers are key

• Customers validate ideas to have value.

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iv. Must Learn and adhere to policy and regulations

iv. Be Honest and transparent

vi. Ensure clarity in communication:

• Must communicate your ideas clearly.

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vii. Networking and connectivity:

• Avoid insulation and seek ways to partner with others globally.

• Sharing information increases ones ability to fill in knowledge gaps.

“No man is an Island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the

Continent, a part of the main”

John Donne (1572 - 1631) , Meditation XVII

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“Do not be encumbered by history. Go off and dosomething wonderful.”

-Dr Robert Noyce, Intel Co-founder (1927-1990)