Experts have called for improved collaboration between Academia, and industries. This was during the Public Lecture organized by Kyambogo University under the theme “Strengthening Academia, Industry and Government Linkages” on Friday, April 14, 2023, in CTF Auditorium 105.

Prof. Charles Kwesiga, the Executive Director of Uganda Industrial Research Institute (UIRI) who was the Key Note speaker at the Public Lecture said that the Government, Academia, and Industries must collaborate throughout the whole innovation process if development is to be realized.

Prof. Kwesiga said that academia provides manpower to the industries that support Research and Development. He noted that the institutions that are responsible for the Economy’s development like the Industry, Academia, and Government must be strengthened and then linkages will be possible. He expressed that universities should also develop effective commercialization strategies for Research and Innovations.

Innovation is vital for Uganda’s economy in need of job creation. University researchers are making breakthroughs across a range of subject areas, like renewable energy, material science, and medical technologies, among others. To ensure these innovations grow into job creation for commercial products and services, the government, industry, and academia must collaborate throughout the innovation process.

We need to involve industries in the development of the curriculum of education institutions in order to strengthen linkages, build trust and create follow-ups.” Says Assoc. Prof. Keyes Justus who is the Deputy Director of Research and Graduate Training at Kyambogo University. He emphasized that universities need to enrich the curriculum since technologies are changing.

Mr. Ahimbisibwe Stanley, who is the Assistant Commissioner – Quality Assurance and Standardization in the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives said that Industries are created to be training grounds for our students’ innovations. He also noted that all universities should have incubation centers where students will grow their ideas of research into reality.

Dr. Catherine Wandera, the Team Lead – of the Import Substitution Bureau in the Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation expressed that universities should develop Human resources that are competent for the industry.

Prof. Eli Katunguka the Vice Chancellor Kyambogo University said that there is limited linkages between the key players that had been invited for the discussion, and noted that this was a holistic discussion that was involving all the players identified as Academia, industries, and Government. He thanked the Speakers for sparing their time to share knowledge with society.

World over, Universities are sources and strategic assets of knowledge creation, innovation and technological advances. Universities are known for innovation and economic competitiveness. Synergies between academia, industry and government can play a critical role in securing and leveraging additional resources for higher education, promoting innovation and technology transfer, as well as ensuring that graduates have the skills and knowledge required to effectively contribute to the workforce.

The Key note speaker is Prof. Charles Kwesiga. Discussants include; Dr. Catherine Wandera, Ministry of ICT, Mr. Denis Ainebyona from the Ministry of trade, Assoc. Prof. Justus Kwetegyeka from Kyambogo University.

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