Transcript CARNIVORE PROJECT Samburu Conservation Research Initiative

Role of academia in realising management for
Vision 2030
(How does academia contribute in realising
management for development results?)
Presented at AfCOP conference
Intercontinental Hotel Nairobi
Presented by: Prof. William O. Ogara
UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI, KENYA
The context of academia
1. Intentions for the establishment of academia.
In the evolution of studies/education, establishment of
academia was not accidental. A felt need did arise.
What was the need or intention? What was it supposed
to serve?
2. Education
The purpose of education plus all that it entails is meant to
serve an individual to survive in a given environment and
if it cannot or does not, the education becomes basically
useless.
The context of academia…
3. Educational Programs, types and content are tailored to
solve the problem facing mankind.
All curricula should be tailored with the intention to achieve
certain objectives. For this purpose, they are periodically
revised to cater for the needs of society/ community at a
particular time.
In the evolution of studies, we encounter emergent
terminologies and programs to cater for these changes
e.g. Appropriate technology, Environmental
studies/education, climate change and one world one
health.
Definitions
Development is always presented in a structured well thought out
blue print. This may be presented as;
• Development plans (various periods)
• Millennium development goals
• Vision 2030.
Vision 2030
The vision is based on three “pillars” namely; the
Economic pillar, the Social pillar and the Political pillar.
1. The economic pillar aims at providing prosperity of all
Kenyans through an economic development
programme aimed at achieving an average Gross
Domestic Products (GDP) growth rate of 10% per
annum over the next 25 years.
2. The social pillar seeks to build “a just and cohesive
society with social equity in a clean and secure
environment”.
Vision 2030…
3. The political pillar aims at realising a democratic
political system founded on issue-based politics that
respects the rule of law and protects the rights and
freedoms of every individual in the Kenyan society.
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
The MDGs are measurable targets attached to a time frame
The MDGs come up with the following goals;
1. Eradicating extreme poverty and hunger
2. Achieving universal primary education
3. Promoting gender equality and empowering of women
4. Reducing child mortality
5. Improving maternal health
6. Combating HIV/AIDs, malaria and other diseases.
7. Ensuring environmental sustainability
8. Developing a global partnership for development
Academia and development
Academia should be recognised as a trail blazer that should
guide development to a particular direction. It should lead
society and establishment to achieving development goals,
in this case in the development plans, millennium
development goals and to Vision 2030.
The role of academia therefore is to:
•Create relevant programmes that must steer activities of
society to the vision e.g. 2030
•Search for knowledge based solutions
•Put in place mechanism of applying research results to
practical solutions of our contemporary problems
Academia and development…
Academia must therefore:
1. Spearhead technology development
Industries that must come up with programmes to achieve vision
2030
2. Create tools that generate products to be available for
individuals needs/ wants in 2030 and beyond:
Architectural studies address use of space and therefore
must be innovative
Engineers for strategic highways appreciate the role of IT
computers in realising enhanced GDP.
Academia and development…
This is not the end.
Science knowledge and technology must push us to
higher levels.(all sectors);
Industrial
Chemical
Engineer
We acknowledge for example:
•Synthesis of new molecules
•Use of bacteria to synthesis flavours (no need of
vanilla)
•Ways of Nitrogen fixation vs. use of fertilizers
Vision 2030 vs. International discourse
on sustainable development
Vision 2030 (3 pillars)
International Discourse on sustainable
development (3 pillars of sustainable
development)
Economic base
Economic base
Social base
Social base
Political base
Environment
Vision 2030 vs. International discourse
on sustainable development…
Economic
base
Social base
Environ
ment
Not adequately
catered for, which
results in Poverty,
disease water
sanitation
Vision 2030 vs. International discourse
on sustainable development…
Quality of
life
B
A
Sust
Social
Strong social
base;
Economic
D
•Well educated ple
•Healthy ple
•Working force
Environment
D
C
Full env.
agenda
Conclusion
The missing link;
•University/ Academia/ Research
•Consider:
•Kenya vs. Asian Tiger States in 1950s;
•Kenya emphasised on agriculture
•Asian tiger’s focussed on production
•We need applied research to move into the
future