2007 Exhibition Report

Engineering Students Exhibition 2007 showing Kenya’s innovative powers

Nairobi, the 10th edition of the annual ICT and Engineering Students’ Exhibition 2007 of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE)-Kenya Section will be held on 14th – 15th September 2007 in Nairobi at Sarit Centre Expo Hall. This exhibition brings together academia, industries and government to realize the vital opportunity of creating linkages and collaboration. There are 120 entries from nine countries in the region. The event is supported by the Ministry of Information and Communications, Kenya Private Sector Alliance(KEPSA),The Kenya ICT Federation(KIF),Kenya Association of Manufactures(KAM) among others.

The objective of the Engineering Students Exhibition is to encourage students to develop their engineering skills and to give them deeper insight in technology coupled with market demand. The preparation and presentation of projects challenges them to use their theoretical knowledge and demonstrate their engineering ability. Students also network with local and international participants, and interact with senior representatives of the private sector.
 
An Innovation System for Kenya

The Engineering Students Exhibition proofs there is a need and opportunity for Kenya to organise an Innovation System in which academia, private sector and public sector collaborate. The Government can play a facilitating role through an independent Science Technology and Innovation (SCTI) council, tasked to create an Innovation System that takes full advantage of Kenya’s comparative advantages. Local industry cannot fund research and development on its own. However, Kenya’s vibrant private sector will be able to take full advantage of such an Innovation System. The Innovation System will also help universities and higher education to emerge from isolation and integrate their curriculum with industry requirements. Due to the introverted nature of many institutions, research has limited relevance towards the socio-economic needs of the country and our creative talents remain under-utilised.
 
The IEEE through its Kenyan Section encourages all to explore the impressive creative engineering power we have in our students’ population.