History has it that the priority given to innovation, science and technology was the primary tool in making difference among the so-called developed and developing countries.
Innovation, science and technology play pivotal role to hasten multifaceted strides by aiding impetus to growth and competitiveness. Besides, innovation is a tool to circumvent inefficiency and tedious bureaucracy and realize amenity in the service sector.
Cognizant of the strenuous role innovation plays for national transformation, Ethiopia has put institutional, policy and strategic priority for the sector.
The establishment of Innovation and Technology Ministry and the Ethiopian Academy of Science, the Ethiopian Youth Academy of Science, the 70/30 natural/ social science ration in higher institutions, are among the showcases of the nation’s firm commitment to harness the sector.
Recently, the Ethiopian Academy of Science, in collaboration with the Association for Promotion of Science in Africa (APSA) conducted an innovation contest where 120 projects were contesters’ from18 African countries.
The winners ranking from 1st to 3rd would be awarded with 2,500, 1,500 and 1,000 Euros consecutively while a three-month research training estimated worth of 3,000 Euros is adjusted to the 1st and 2nd rankers in a renowned technology laboratory.
The Ethiopian Academy of Sciences, which was established some eight years ago, is an institution striving to promote science and innovation among the youth relying on three pillars; regulating science and technology home and abroad, promoting excellences and providing evidence-based advice for the government.
The academy hosted the contest aiming to provide young innovators the platform to showcase their innovations and share experiences from fellow innovators of other African countries.
Dr. Shumete Gizaw, state minister, Ministry of Innovation and Technology, says that science and technology is not a new phenomenon for us recalling the deep-rooted traditional knowledge we are endowed with.
As to him, the challenge the nation faces regarding innovation is not failure to instigate new ideas, rather changing the novel ideas into practice.
“We have been discussing it in universities, research institutions, and the problem was not introducing new ideas and innovations, rather, stretching the right ecosystem to implement and change ideas to reality.”
He underscored that, the contest, as a result, is the right thing at the right time to cultivate at the early foundation base. These young innovators have the chance to contribute a lot to uplift the momentum the next step, he stressed.
“Nations like, Japan, China and Singapore reach the level they are now because they invested on the youth especially relying on science, innovation and technology.”
Innovation plays vital role to seeking technology-based solutions for different challenges. The tedious and inefficient service delivery among public institutions, for example, is due to partly lack of application of efficient technological supported service.
Upon proper utilization, he further noted, the sector can bring about multi-dimensional pluses by generating products, markets, job opportunities so as to make money.
Dr. Shumete, finally notes that the sector is full of challenges which need patience and hard work to excel in the sector and he added that the government is fully committed to hand any support in the sector.
According to Prof. Bongalo, Coordinator of APSA, the French based association organizes scientific contests and scientific meeting and strives to sustainably impact on creating innovative African youth. The association prioritizes giving fellowship, promoting science, promoting innovation and excellence, activating knowledge and cultivating it for further success.
“APSA organize scientific contest, scientific meeting and try to make the process sustainable.”
The coordinator stresses that the future of Africa and the world as a whole is under the shoulder of youth innovators. Making Africa hub of innovation is a tough but attainable mission for the youth, he underscored, tipping to begin the journey sooner than later.
“The world is under your shoulder, a lot rests in you, the greatest challenge is up for Africa in the coming 20 years, make Africa the hub of innovation, make it sooner, start it today.”
Young innovators lauded the importance of such contests and accreditations.
The contest will create an opportunity to share experiences from counterparts while paving the way for market links from attendants of the contest.
Erkihun Eskemech and Yiwodis Dagne are among the 11 finalists in the contest. They come up with an improved Ethiopian traditional weaving assisted by a mechanical machine and computer program, which enables a single weaver to control three or more weaving machines at a time.
As to them, the machine which is estimated to cost 5,000 birr with full warranty maximizes productivity while minimizing labor and energy wastage. Besides, most of its body is made of wood and other locally abundant inputs.
Nebiyat and Jhony Girma, other contenders, came up with a recovering important mineral for plants from urine. The fertilizer, according to them, is organic with no environmental impact.
The contesters stressed that, the APSA challenge is a sound opportunity to showcase their innovation and create reliable market chain.
Over all, as the coordinator of APSA, underlined now is the time to pay due attention for science, technology and innovation. Africa in general and Ethiopia in particular needs science and innovation, and the world needs Africans, the African scientists.
Herald December 12/2018
BY DESALEGN AYNALEM
