Innovative exhibits not repetitive but modified

The just concluded National Science Technology and Innovation Week received good coverage, especially from the Nation Media Group.

Twice, the Daily Nation wrote editorials on the event. NTV interviewed Prof Shaukat Abdulrazak, the CEO, National Council for Science and Technology and two innovators.

The fact the week grabbed prominence in an environment of intense political activities and corruption scandals, suggest something good must be taking place in our scientific and technological arena.

But Daily Nation’s editorial (May 14) “Turn new ideas into products for market” could not be further from the truth.

The only point of diversion we have with the editorial is the view it took on repetitiveness of the exhibits.

Though some innovations have appeared in the past exhibitions, there is always something new in them every time they are exhibited.

Take Morris Mbetsa’s mobile phone car security system. In the past, Mbetsa was exhibiting to explain how it works. Now he exhibited to explain as well as sell the product.

It should be appreciated from policy and advisory level that the Ministry of Higher Education and the National Council for Science and Technology have played their role satisfactorily in organizing the week. But we thank the Nation for creating awareness on local innovation.

ARGUT KIPTURGO,
Public Communication,

Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology