EASTECO holds 1st EAC Science, Technology and Innovation Conference in Kampala, Uganda
East African Science and Technology Commission Headquarters, Kigali, Rwanda, 28th October, 2019: The East African Science and Technology Commission (EASTECO) in collaboration with the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA), the East African Business Council (EABC), and the East African Development Bank (EADB) held the 1st EAC Science, Technology and Innovation Conference (STI Conference), and the Academia-Public-Private-Partnership Forum (APPPF) Dialogue Session under the theme: Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) as a Catalyst Towards Achievement of East Africa Community Vision 2050.
The STI Conference is a biennial event which provides opportunity for researchers, scientists, technologists, industrialist and innovators from the academia, public and private sectors to share research and development information for advancement of knowledge, technology and innovation in the EAC region. APPPF Dialogue Session, on the other hand, is an annual event that aims to enhance collaboration and networking among various sector for increased regional integration and socio-economic transformation.
This year, the two events were held back to back, beginning with STI Conference on 23rd and 24th October, 2019, followed by APPPF Dialogue on 25th October 2019 in Kampala. In addition, the event featured a three day exhibition, which ran from 23rd to 25th October, 2019. About 300 participants consisting of leaders from the Academia, the private and the public sectors from all Partners States are attended both events.
The first issue of the East African Journal of Science, Technology and Innovation (EAJSTI) was launched by Uganda’s 2nd Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for EAC Affairs, Hon. Dr. Ali Kirunda Kivejinja, on 25th October, 2019. EAJSTI is a multidisciplinary, open access and peer review journal, publishing original research of relevance to the East African Community (EAC) region, covering basic and applied research in science, technology and innovation.
The goal of the Journal is to enhance, advance and disseminate scientific, technological and innovative knowledge that supports regional socio-economic development. The objectives of the journal include:
- Supporting the development of evidence based policies;
- Providing an avenue for disseminating scientific research and technological findings to researchers, professionals, industry and other stakeholders in the EAC and beyond;
- Increasing the number and quality of scientific publications from the EAC Partner States; Advancing and opening up the new frontiers for further research in science, technology and innovation domains, and;
- Enhancing visibility of the regional scientific and technological research, and; Promoting international recognition of local researchers and professionals.
The journal publishes articles in the areas of: Agriculture; Food Security and Rural Development; Natural Resources and Environmental Management; Health and Wellbeing Science; Infrastructure; Energy and Industrial Development, and; Information Communication Technology.
The journal has been established through collaboration between EASTECO, IUCEA and the Nelson Mandela African Institute for Science and Technology (NM-AIST).
It is expected that EAJSTI will, among other things, provide a strong forum, linkage and network for exchange of scientific knowledge, technology and innovations that are generated from Universities, Research Institutions and the Industrial sectors in East Africa and beyond.
The EAJSTI will enhance the sharing of knowledge to its readership as it continues to increase and develop a rich database of research output in science, technology and innovation in wide thematic areas. Given the scarcity of regular and reliable scientific journals in production within the East African region, the EAJSTI will fill this gap, which is created by the absence of research outputs available from well recognized and reputable peer-reviewed journals.
The EAJSTI will endeavour to support the world-renowned scientists, upcoming scientists and graduate students from both the East African region and globally to continue to publish scientific outputs, new technologies, and innovations.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
The East African Science and Technology Commission is a semi-autonomous institution of the EAC, which is mandated to coordinate and promote the development, management and application of Science and Technology in Partner States to support regional integration and socio-economic development. Among other responsibilities, the commission promotes the exchange and utilization of scientific information, and supports the dissemination of research and development findings in Partner States.
This is in line with the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC which recognizes the fundamental role of science and technology in economic development and stipulates, in the Chapter 16, Article 103, that the community shall promote cooperation in the development and application of science and technology within the Partner States. Article 80, on industrial development further reinforces the need for development of science and technology to accelerate socio-economic development in the community.
For more information, please visit the journal website: www.eajsti.org; or contact the Managing Editor: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.