Higher education minister in Japan for technology meeting

WINDHOEK, 08 OCT – Minister of Higher Education, Training and Innovation, Itah Kandjii-Murangi emphasised the Namibian government’s commitment towards the leveraging of science, technology and innovation as drivers of economic growth and sustainable development in the country.
A media statement availed to Nampa here on Monday showed that she made the remarks in her official opening address during a three-day conference on science, technology and innovation that started at the Japanese town, Kyoto on Sunday.
Kandjii-Murangi also highlighted Namibia’s vision for developing a people-centred industrialised country and to accelerate the attainment of the sustainable development goals through the strategic use of science, technology and innovation.
“Key to Namibia’s vision to develop a national system of innovation that translates our primary commodities into high-value goods requires a renewed focus on the development of technical vocational education training skills as well as higher education programmes that will enhance the employability of our young people,” she told the conference.
According to her, an open innovation strategy grounded on smart science, technology and innovation partnerships to address challenges such as climate change, food security, water and sanitation as well as the creation of an inclusive innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem is, therefore, imperative.
The science, technology and innovation conference is a global gathering of higher education ministers that is devoted to the promotion of science, technology and innovation.
It is also aimed at seeking synergy between the advancement of science and technology and the safety of society, the statement noted.
Namibia’s higher education minister and her delegation is expected back home on 13 October 2018.
The conference ends on Tuesday.
(NAMPA)