Set to be the first of its kind in the country, the Kenyan government has unveiled awards to recognize the contributions made by country’s innovators towards economic and social development.
The Kenya, science, technology and Innovation (KESTI) awards will aim at honouring the outstanding achievements made by Kenyan innovators, attracting investors as well as promoting efforts made by innovators towards transforming scientific research into entrepreneurship.
Slated for launch during this year’s National Science and Technology Week event in early May, the awards are set to be annual and will be organized by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (MOHEST).
According to MOHEST, the Kenya Vision 2030 recognizes Science Technology and Innovation (STI) as enabling and supporting platforms for sustainable national development. Hence the government through the ministry has established the awards during the weeklong event to celebrate the role of Science and Technology Innovation (STI) in the socio-economic development of the country.
The award is further expected to encourage the public and the science community to participate in scientific engagements to address critical problems affecting the country.
To participate, eligible applicants must have attained exceptional achievements in scientific research, new scientific discoveries and scientific accomplishments, according to MOHEST.
In addition, the applicability of the technological innovation towards addressing country’s challenges in line with Kenya Vision 2030 would as well be considered.
The two major categories scheduled for the awards include Life and Earth Sciences and Basic Sciences, Technology and Innovation. The two categories are further subdivided into three categories including Young Scientist Award worth KSh500,000 (Appx 6,016.85 USD), Women Scientist Award worth KSh1.0 million (Appx 12,033.69 USD) and the best overall Scientist Award worth KSh1.5 million (Appx 18,050.54 USD).
Interested applicants can bid for multiple awards through the ministry’s website, Scienceandtechnology.go.ke or National Council for Science and Technology (NCST) website, Ncst.go.ke.
The deadline for this year’s awards is April 30, 2012.
