DAR ES SALAAM: WITH development space changing pretty fast, innovation is becoming the central ingredient in any development intervention and business activities in the country.
This was said on Monday by the Funguo Project Manager, Joseph Manirakiza in Dar es Salaam during media symposium on the Innovation Week 2024 which is supposed to kick off today at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Center, and which will bring together innovation partners from in and outside the country.
Mr Manirakiza said that the country is witnessing the emergence of new business models that are fueling business growth, creating more jobs and helping Tanzanians respond to emerging challenges such as climate change.
“Business as usual no longer has a place in today’s fast-paced and tech-driven development environment,” said Mr Manirakiza.
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He said in Dar es Salaam, IWTz2024 activities will take place from May 21st to May 24th at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JINCC), saying that this year’s Innovation Week will run under the theme “Innovation for a Competitive Economy” or “Ubunifu kwa Uchumi Shindani” in Kiswahili.
In Tanzania, Innovation Week serves as a showcase for tracking the implementation progress of diverse science, technology, and innovation policies, plans, and strategies. It also illustrates the tangible impact of technology by featuring innovative ideas and projects supported by Tanzanian innovators and entrepreneurs.
In her keynote address read on her behalf by the Director of Science Technology and Innovation at the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Mr Ladislaus Nyoni, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Ms Caroline Nombi extended her gratitude to development partners, the European Union, FCDO, and UNDP who continue to contribute towards our development efforts and have made the FUNGUO programme a reality.
“I also understand that we have a number of other partners who have been supporting the Innovation Week platform, including UNICEF, UNWOMEN, ENABEL, VODACOM, and others,” she said.
She said in today’s rapidly evolving world, the role of education in shaping human capital cannot be overstated, saying as the country navigates through the complexities of the 21st century, characterized by technological advancements, globalization, and shifting socioeconomic landscapes, the demand for a highly skilled and adaptable workforce has become more pronounced than ever before.
Ms Nombi further said that Tanzania, like many other nations, faces the challenge of aligning its educational system with the dynamic needs of the present and the future.
“We recognize that a one-size-fits-all approach to education is no longer viable. Instead, we must foster a progressive educational ecosystem that nurtures diverse talents, fosters innovation, and equips learners with the skills and competencies necessary to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
For instance, you are all aware that we now have a revamped educational policy and we have launched a new curriculum, placing greater emphasis on developing skills that are relevant to the changing job market, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and digital literacy, ” she said.
She said as a nation, central to our efforts is the promotion of inclusive and quality education at all levels, saying the pace of change in today’s world means that learning cannot be confined to the classroom or to a certain phase of life.
In parallel, she said the ministry is investing in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education to cultivate a workforce that is equipped to tackle the challenges of the future economy, adding by fostering a strong foundation in STEM disciplines, we empower our youth to contribute to innovation, research, and technological advancements that will drive economic growth and social development.
