PRINCIPAL SECRETARY CHAMPIONS RESEARCH AND INNOVATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AT MMUST INTERNATIONAL CONFRENCE

The 5th Annual International Conference of Meru University of Science and Technology (MUST) brought together government leaders, researchers, academia, industry players and development partners to deliberate on innovative solutions for sustainable development through research, science and technology.

The conference was attended by the Principal Secretary for Forestry, Gitonga Mugambi; the Principal Secretary for Science, Research and Innovation, Shaukat Abdulrazak; and the Principal Secretary for Co-operatives, Patrick Kilemi. The delegation was received by the Vice-Chancellor of MUST, Romanus Odhiambo Otieno.

Addressing participants, PS Mugambi emphasized the critical role of scientific research in advancing forest conservation, ecosystem restoration and climate resilience. He noted that evidence-based decision-making is fundamental to achieving Kenya’s environmental goals and called on researchers and institutions of higher learning to develop innovative, practical solutions that support sustainable forest management and contribute to the Government’s target of growing 15 billion trees by 2032.

In his virtual address, Prof. Abdulrazak underscored the importance of research, science, technology and innovation in addressing contemporary challenges such as climate change, food security and sustainable economic growth. He encouraged universities to strengthen collaboration with Government, industry and local communities to ensure that research outputs are translated into practical solutions that improve livelihoods and drive national development.

PS Kilemi highlighted the contribution of cooperatives to inclusive economic growth and community empowerment. He called for stronger linkages between academia and the cooperative sector to promote innovation, entrepreneurship and value addition, enabling research findings to generate tangible socio-economic benefits.

The conference provided an important platform for sharing research findings, fostering strategic partnerships and exchanging knowledge on emerging solutions to local and global development challenges. Participants reaffirmed the need for stronger collaboration between Government, academia, industry and development partners to accelerate innovation and support sustainable development.

Also present were the Secretary for Higher Education, Carol Hunja; the Chief Executive Officer of the State Corporations Advisory Committee, Simon Indimuli; the Director of Protocol in the Office of the Deputy President, Gideon Kimathi Mutwiri; and other distinguished guests.