Students Urged to Embrace Science and Technology

The Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni has urged the young generation to embrace Science and Technology as a means of finding practical homegrown solutions to the challenges the country faces today. This was during the Official opening of the 2nd edition of the Science Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) Festival at Kyambogo University where she was represented by Hon. Dr. Monica Musenero Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovations as the Chief Guest.

In a four-day event, that started on Tuesday with a Pre-STEAM conference and ended on Friday 26^th May 2023, students of the University have exhibited different innovations in various disciplines of Science, Engineering, Industrial Art and Design, Biotechnology, Sports Science, Agriculture and Food Science.

Running under the theme: “Demystifying Science, Technology and Innovation for Community Development,” the festival has also attracted students from secondary schools and hosted discussions on harnessing research and innovation in the country.

Hon. Dr. Musenero acknowledged the efforts of the university staff in producing a new crop of skilled personnel for this nation. “I am also grateful to the students’ community for showing absolute cooperation with management and staff while fulfilling their mandate of learning in a harmonious environment and as government, we are cognizant of your challenges and we are committed to working with the University Management to finding lasting solutions to some of these challenges.” Dr. Musenro noted.

The Chairperson University Council, Dr. Mary Goretti Nakabugo acknowledged the vision of the President of the Republic of Uganda, H.E Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the government at large for embracing Science-led national development and noted that they also appreciate the government’s recognition that science cannot work in isolation, with other disciplines to promote national development.

“The University has brought together all fields of science and humanities to showcase our innovations and strengthen the synergies between these two important disciplines of our society. I am glad to report to you, Hon. Minister that Kyambogo University has not only always been at the centre of promoting Science, Engineering and Education in Uganda, but is also a centre of excellence in promoting inclusive education in Uganda and East Africa by offering the best training in special needs education and having in place policies that are inclusive” Dr. Nakabugo said.

According to the Vice Chancellor Prof. Elly Katunguka, the aim of the Festival is to encourage STEAM innovations among students and staff, and to inspire the young generation in schools, to embrace important fields of science and humanities that are critical for national development. “This is why the theme (Demystifying Science, Technology and Innovation for Community Development), has remained the same and calls for all educators to use simple language/demonstrations to explain the STEAM concepts and show their relevance in our day-to-day lives”. Prof.Katunguka noted.