RESEARCHERS and innovators have been urged to focus on emerging technologies to boost industrial growth and people’s livelihood.
Speaking at the University of Dar es Salaam’s Research and Innovation Week, Precision Air Founder and Chairman, Mr Michael Shirima, said research would be useful when they help people.
“We are proud of research when researchers have done studies and innovation that go out to help entrepreneurs and citizens in general as well as increase the country’s income,” said Mr Shirima.
He urged researchers to embrace participatory approach when doing researches by engaging consumers before starting the studies to make such findings useful.
He said some Tanzanians use reports of researches conducted in other countries for Tanzanian environment of entrepreneurship while Tanzania has many researchers and designers.
“If researchers start sharing their ideas with consumers they can get more input for their relevant topics,” said Mr Shirima.
He called on young people to develop attitude of reading entrepreneurship books and journals so that they can improve their entrepreneurship activities.
“If you want to grow in entrepreneurship, you must like to read various books and journals that will guide you in the type of entrepreneurship you want to do,” said Mr Shirima.
Initially, in the opening speech on behalf of the Minister of Education Science and Technology Dr Adolf Mkenda, the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH) Director General, Dr Amos Nungu, said researchers, designers and innovators in all sectors must take deliberate steps to design and produce technological products for social and economic development in the country.
Dr Nungu said the research week provides an opportunity for various stakeholders to learn about the research and innovation work carried out by the UDSM, thus enabling them to find alternative ideas to continue doing researches for the development of the country’s economy.
“The development of the economy has been influenced by the innovations and researches by our university researchers and individuals, so they need to cooperate in order to be able to carry out researches that will bring about a positive changes in our industries,” he said.
He asked the researchers to use the research week to focus on sustainable goals and the national vision.
On his part, UDSM Vice Chancellor, Prof William Anangisye said in 2015 the university initiated the Research and Innovation Week (RIW) aimed at exposing its researches to the public.
“Research and Innovation Week among other things aims to explain research findings and inform stakeholders and the general public about research and innovation activities carried out by the university,” Prof Anangisye said.
