Govt urged to strengthen linkages between research, academia, and industry
Participants at the Science, Technology, and Innovation Conference and Exhibition (STICE) held at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre in Dar es Salaam on 2 December 2024. CPA Anthony Kasore, Director General of the Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA), and Col. (Ret.) Joseph Simbakalia delivered key speeches emphasising the importance of strengthening linkages between research, academia, and industry to foster economic transformation.
What you need to know:
- In his keynote speech, Joseph Simbakalia, a retired military officer and prominent government leader, highlighted the need for purposeful government intervention to bridge gaps, enhance innovation, and accelerate technology development and commercialisation.
Dar es Salaam. The government has a vital role to play in establishing strong linkages between research institutions, academia, and industries to develop a robust national innovation system. This was said by the Director General of the Vocational Education and Training Authority (Veta), Mr Anthony Kasore, at the Science, Technology, and Innovation Conference and Exhibition (STICE) held on 2 December 2024.
Col. (Ret.) Joseph Simbakalia, delivering the keynote address at the Science, Technology, and Innovation Conference and Exhibition (STICE) in Dar es Salaam on 2 December 2024.
In his keynote speech, Joseph Simbakalia, a retired military officer and prominent government leader, highlighted the need for purposeful government intervention to bridge gaps, enhance innovation, and accelerate technology development and commercialisation.
He said that achieving these linkages would require strategic government policies, legislation, and directives. Drawing upon South Korea as a successful example, Simbakalia pointed out how the country has aligned industries with academic and research institutions, converting innovative ideas into market-ready products. "I believe our challenge lies more in policy innovation than product innovation," he remarked, urging policymakers to focus on creating robust frameworks to strengthen these linkages.
Director General of the Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA), CPA Anthony Kasore, speaking during a panel discussion at the Science, Technology, and Innovation Conference and Exhibition (STICE) in Dar es Salaam on 2 December 2024.
Kasore echoed Simbakalia’s sentiments during a panel discussion. He emphasised the importance of effective policies that promote collaboration and improve communication among stakeholders, including industries and local communities, to identify and address pressing needs.
He also drew attention to the untapped potential within Veta, stating that its teachers, trainees, and graduates had developed several innovative technologies. However, he noted that many of these innovations had not been commercialised due to limited access to capital and insufficient involvement of the private sector in scaling up production. "While our trainees demonstrate exceptional creativity and innovation, stronger support systems are needed to turn their ideas into commercial successes," he said.
The conference, which brought together researchers, innovators, industry leaders, and policymakers, provided a platform for exchanging ideas and exploring strategies to strengthen the national innovation system.
Participants called for actionable steps to bridge the gaps between academia, research, and industry, ensuring that science, technology, and innovation play a central role in Tanzania's economic transformation.
STICE 2024, which runs from 2 to 4 December, aims to foster dialogue and collaboration to tackle key challenges and harness opportunities within Tanzania’s innovation ecosystem.
