Today’s witness guest is Mr. Munish Gupta. He is an advisor to the India and Ethiopia Innovation Technology Commercial Program. The Ethiopian Herald had recently approached Mr. Munish at the Exhibition held on the premise of the Ethiopian Ministry of Innovation and Technology.
Munish Gupta is a chairman, PIO TV Pvt. Ltd, President, Mediamantra, Inc, and Advisor, India Rwanda Innovation Growth program. Munish is a journalist-turned media and social infrastructure development entrepreneur. He has pioneered many firsts during his vast experience of nearly 30 years in print, radio, television and new media in India, USA and globally. The Ethiopian Herald had a while with Munish Gupta.
The Ethiopian Herald: What is the aim of the program?
Munish: Basically, the program is between Ethiopia and India. The foundation is science, technology and innovation. The initiation was started by the Indian Prime Minister for prosperity in Africa. India and Ethiopia are partners for a long time. For the past 70 years we have multidimensional relationships in different sectors like education, cultural and diplomacy relation as well. Many Ethiopians got their MA and PhD from India and most of the educations are based on technologies.
In the course of last 30 years, India is using technologies and innovations that have been created in India. Due to that, now India proves middle income country. Today, we have managed to create new jobs for youngsters and able to build a digital economy.
We have spent a lot to reach where we are today. But utilizing technological transfer Ethiopia has a great chance to get where we are today. The program is sharing Indian technologies for the betterment of the country. We are not here for commercial but we came up with what Ethiopia needs by the invitation of the government. The program was founded by Indian government to transfer Indian technologies to Ethiopia.
We have solutions for everything and we believe Ethiopians must tell us what they need in advance. In addition, Ethiopian entrepreneurs should work with us. We are not here to sell our products but we are here to share our technologies with Ethiopians and find partnership. Ethiopia should localize the technologies with local language in order to adopt the technology easily.
Herald: Do you have a plan of taking Ethiopians abroad and train technologies?
Munish: we are looking at Ethiopian applicants. Once we get done with it, we will put Ethiopian and Indians together to share technologies. In addition, our plan down the road is capacity building. We will take Ethiopians at our expense to share our experience in India. We will take them to Indian and teach them how we do business, promotion, sales, marketing and distribution, among others.
Once we accomplish that, we will give them certificates and awards. We want to create as many Ethiopian enterprises and transfer as much technologies.
Herald: What must be done to promote innovations in Ethiopia?
Munish: When I first start looking at the space of innovations and technologies in Ethiopia, I was very excited. I met with people from the iCog Labs. They programed one third of Sophia the social humanoid speaking Roobot with human kind skin, smile and expressions. So, I knew Ethiopia has already the knowledge. Ethiopia is the not only an ancient country but also a showcase that the more you are old the more you have technologies.
Technology leads to innovation. What we fail is, in creating knowledgeable society you need to put some triggers. Allowing the youth of the country access to modern education is among the main triggers. Encouraging kids to practice from their early age is essential. Then, it’s not going to take long time to create an innovative generation. In India, we have experiences of starting at Kindergarten. Whatever they do is innovation. So, give youths freedom to think and does technologies.
The second thing is encouragement. Though what they did is not right do not ignore them. Do not say ‘no’ because ‘no’ will never be an answer. Show them how to make it in a better way.
In addition, give incentives. Giving them encouragement makes them do more. It plays a very big role in keeping them home. Otherwise they will flee their country with their ideas. Adding to this, invite foreign inventors and localize the products. That is one of the unique part we have taken which I think will work for Ethiopia.
Finally, what I would like to suggest is, give Youngers access to the technologies. You must make technologies which are easily accessible to people. It does not mean you should provide all new technologies but give them access to what you have.
The Ethiopian Herald Sunday edition December 22/2019
BY AMBO MEKASSA
