New science, tech policy to spur development

The Minister for Communication, Science and Technology, Prof. Makame Mbarawa stress a point during a workshop to discuss on a new policy and law on science, technology and innovation in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday.

Waziri wa Mawasiliano, Sayansi na Teknolojia, Prof. Makame Mbarawa akisisitiza jambo wakati wa mkutano kuhusiana na sera na sheria mpya kuhusiana na sayansi, teknolojia na ubunifu jijini Dar es Salaam Jumatano wiki hii.

By a Correspondent, Dar es Salaam

Tanzania expects to have a new policy and law which will help accelerate the development of science, technology and innovation for the benefit of the country’s socio economic development.

The Minister for Communication, Science and Technology, Prof. Makame Mbarawa said this when opening a one day workshop involving various professionals.

The workshop that took place at the Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH) on Wednesday in Dar es Salaam involved participants from in and outside the country.

“We want to see how science, technology and innovation can better bring development in our country,” Prof. Mbarawa told journalists.

He explained that the existing policy and law does not talk on innovation and that the aim now is to have one that will put emphasis on innovation for the country’s economic development.

Professionals who participated in the workshop came from higher learning institutions, research bodies, private sector and officials from the governments of Tanzania and South Africa.

The ideas from the workshop’s participants will be taken into account toward formulating the country’s new policy and law that will stimulate science, technology and innovation to another level.

“The sector has so far not contributed much to progress as it should be,” he said, adding that the country will not attain sustainable development without investing in this sector.

He explained that the country’s Development Vision 2025 articulate the need for the country to embrace science and technology for sustainable development.

The Ministry’s Director for Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Evelyne Mbede said that the process to have a new policy and law started in 2007 and that President Jakaya Kikwete has been very instrumental in making this happen.

“The President approached UNESCO to help us in this endeavor and we collaborated in preparing a National Background Paper which we use in today’s workshop,” she said.

She said that the National Background Paper report shows where the country come from and where should go and what should be done in terms of developing science, technology and innovation in the country.

“Various institutions in our country should be involved in this process,” she said.

Professor Emrod Elisante from the University of Dar es Salaam said that Tanzania should have a well functioning system that will allow industries to thrive.

“People should be able to start and run industries if we really need to attain development,” he said.

He also noted that the politicians should let researchers implement their findings unhindered because researchers have a very crucial role to play.

On his part, a researcher from the South African based Institute for Economic Research on Innovation (IERI), Dr. Rasigan Mahavajh said Tanzania should heavily invest in science and technology for development.

“This is a very crucial area if the country wants to develop her various sectors,” he said.

Ends