{"id":894868,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/894868/?format=json","text_counter":75,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Sen. Kasanga","speaker_title":"","speaker":{"id":13185,"legal_name":"Sylvia Mueni Kasanga","slug":"sylvia-mueni-kasanga"},"content":"CONCERNED THAT, such institutions largely concentrate on “teaching” rather than “research”, as a method of enhancing and imparting the practical application of skills, attitude and knowledge by learners; NOTING THAT, funds allocated towards community and development oriented academic research are neither sustainable nor adequate; ACKNOWLEDGING THAT, various national policies on research and innovation are available, but fragmentation in the sector has short- changed the vision of a progressive national research agenda, thereby emboldening low science culture among the population, low global competitiveness ranking, inadequate funding, and poor linkages between academic research and commercial industry; NOW THEREFORE, the Senate urgently calls upon the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology:- (i) To provide a comprehensive report from all institutions of higher learning on the status and performance of Research & Innovation Programs in the Country; (ii) Re-assess Sector Policies, and Develop new work-plans towards:- a. Improving allocation of funds for Academic as well as Sustainable Community Based Research to public institutions of higher learning. b. Providing subsidies, and frameworks for partnerships between public & private institutions of higher learning to enable collaboration and better organization in research and innovations for community/county development Projects."}