The ManicaPost
Africans have been called on to get more involved in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) to solve problems prevalent in the continent.
Speaking at the premiere AIMS first movie titled: “Wajenzi”, the Senior Outreach Manager, African Initiative for Mathematical Sciences, (AIMS), Sampson Adotey, said science is crucial to national development and economic growth, as seen globally.
However, in Africa, there is a conspicuous decline of interest to improve and changing the narrative with regard to science, research and development.
He added that science, research and technology are important not only for the economy, but also for the government and its policies as well as the decision-making around Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“We need to rethink the value of science, research and development on the economy. We need more scientific advisers in government who provide government with sound knowledge and insight into the importance of science, and technology to the economy.
“We need government to reconsider how they engage the academia in decision-making around the Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs),” he said.
Adotey, emphasised that AIMS is committed to raising; a critical mass of young people, who are passionate about problem solving with interest in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) as it offers programmes in MSC, MPhil and Phd as well as fellowship programmes to girls in mathematical science and teachers’ training.
“All these are avenues to train young people in Africa to become dexterous in science, technology, research and development and mathematics, so that they can contribute to global projects as well as indigenous ones.
“Also highlighting, the area of inculcating Afrocentrism, excellence, integrity and the willingness to work in their young trainees,” he added.
Adotey called on African leaders to provide infrastructure to African Universities and to commit at least one percent of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP), to science, research and development.
He further opines that under colonial rule, Africa was alienated from participation in the first, second and third industrial revolutions.
Thus, AIMS is relevant in ensuring that; “Africa is not a passive participant of the fourth industrial revolution.”
Emphasising the importance of science, research and development to Africa’s involvement in global projects, Adotey stated that AIMS scientists developed an algorithm that helps countries test for Covid-19. – The Guardian.
