By Kurian Musa
The Education Management Society of Kenya (EMSK) held its 9th International Conference at the Agricultural Resource Centre (ARC), Egerton University.
The event, held at ARC Hotel, Egerton University, was graced by the presence of Dr. Gideon Kibengere, representing the Ministry of Education, and featured a keynote address by Principal Secretary for Higher Education, Dr. Beatrice Inyangala.
This gathering brought together educators, scholars, postgraduate students, and policymakers to discuss critical issues in Kenya's education sector through research presentations and insightful speeches by eminent guests, some of whom attended virtually.
Egerton University Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC) for Academic Affairs, Research, and Extension, Professor Benard Aduda opened the two days’ occasion. He extended the well wishes of the Vice Chancellor Prof. Isaac Kibwage who was away in a University Council meeting that coincided with the conference.
Prof. Aduda, while addressing the distinguished audience, extended his gratitude to the Ministry of Education for their presence at the conference. He also shared insights into the history of his own education journey, highlighting the government's role in restructuring the education system. He reminisced about being one of the first students at Moi University when the government introduced significant reforms.
Prof. Aduda revealed that during his student years, government support had been substantial, with students who had gone ahead of him enjoying full government grants, which required no tuition fees. However, he pointed out that with the new funding model, there are fresh challenges that need to be carefully examined.
"We are emphasizing training for 21st-century needs," Prof. Aduda noted during his speech. He emphasized the importance of innovation in shaping the future of education and expressed hope that the conference would yield innovative solutions that would inform the Ministry's decisions.
He also challenged the organizers to ensure that the research activities presented by students at the conference could scale up and contribute to ideas that would enhance the education sector.
In her speech PS Higher Education as read by Dr Kiberenge highlighted the government's role in providing an enabling environment for technology transfer and innovation through Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET).
Dr. Inyangala emphasized the need for ongoing research funding from various sectors, including the private sector, non-governmental organizations, donors, and the government. He stressed that these investments are crucial to advancing education and driving economic growth.
“As the country thrives to move from factor-based economy to knowledge –based economy it is worth noting that a knowledge – based economy is an economic system where the production of goods and services is based primarily on knowledge-intensive activities from intellectual,” she outlined.
“In particular, it refers to the ability to capitalize on basic and applied research,” reads Dr Inyangala’s speech. She explained that this has come to represent a large component of all economic activity in most developed countries.
A knowledge based economy, Dr Inyangala stated, enables citizens and organizations to acquire, create and disseminate knowledge leading to viable technologies and innovations that are central and key drivers of sustainable economic growth and competitiveness.
The government has so far strengthened the codified knowledge system and is making steps at recognizing and formalizing the tacit knowledge system through certification under Competency-Based Education (CBET). Further, Dr Inyangala stated; the government continues to invest in strategic capacity-building and infrastructure development at knowledge-based Institutions (KBI’s). Also, she noted the government is supporting technology transfer, adoption and diffusion for industry and society.
In developed countries, the Principal Secretary in her speech said, universities have vibrant partnerships with industry. However, in Kenya there are limited linkages between Kenyan Universities and industry leading to low technology transfer to the end user.
“Quality and relevance of university education and research programmes must meet the demands for industry and market to enhance productivity and increase employment,” she pointed out. Currently, universities are putting more emphasis on teaching and less emphasis on priority research.
For Research and Development (R&D) to flourish, Dr Inyangala said: “Sufficient funding, highly trained research staff, adequate and appropriate facilities as well as equipment is required.”
The sessions at the conference were moderated by Prof. Henry Onderi, the Chairman of Conferences at EMSK, who welcomed key presenters of research publications. Dr. Josephine Khaemba, Head of the Disability Department at Egerton University, performed the important role of rapporteur during the event.
Among the guests present at the conference were Dr. Flora Fedha, Dean of the Faculty of Education, Development, and Community Studies (FEDCOS), Dr. Kuria Wamukuru from Egerton University, Dr. Daniel Karanja from the State Department for Higher Education, Dr. Kamau Gathii, Ms. Margaret Muthiga from RVRA, Ms. Geraldine Nanjala from RVRA, and Mr. Hezekiah Othoo from Alupe University.
Additionally, the conference featured virtual presenters, including Dr. Mohamed Nrul Alam, Carren Olendo, Alice Kagoda, and Dr. Yazidi Mwishwa from Mbeya University of Science and Technology.
The conference received international input as well, with Professor Bosire from the University of South Africa challenging participants to focus their research on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He pointed out that universities incorporating SDGs into their research and innovation are recognized and ranked by Times Higher Education, underlining the importance of aligning educational efforts with global sustainability targets.
