Kenya is set to host the 6th Partnership for Skills in Applied Science, Engineering and Technology (PASET) forum and Annual Conference from April 23-25, 2024.
The annual conference, which will take place in Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi, will also feature the Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (RSIF), whose theme will be: Leveraging Technical, Vocational Education and Training in the Knowledge and Skills Ecosystem for Africa’s Industrialization.
It will particularly discuss the role of African higher education in shaping the continent’s green economy and the future of work.
The forum will bring together 12 African education ministers, the academia, industry and governments across Africa to discuss the future of skills, and educationists and entrepreneurs in the continent as several PASET countries are expected to share their experiences and expectations of how skills should evolve and prepare the youth for the future of work and industrialization.
The event, organized by Kenya’s Ministry of Education (MoE) in collaboration with the PASET Secretariat, and the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) – the Regional Coordination Unit for PASET’s Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (RSIF) – will bring on board more than 500 participants.
Speaking ahead of the conference, Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Ezekiel Machogu said Africa’s socio-economic transformation relies on its ability to develop relevant skills and promote scientific research and technology for industry and society.
The CS added that the forum will discuss the nature and type of knowledge and skills required for Africa’s industrialization, specifically the development and diffusion of digital technologies like AI, robotics and data analytics in the entrepreneurial ecosystem of the continent.
“It is evident that our collective efforts are not only driving the advancement of science, technology and innovation in Africa but are also laying the foundation for socio-economic transformation across our nations. I am in no doubt that the objectives we set to achieve in the 6th PASET Forum will be achieved,” Machogu said.
RSIF scholars, together with their mentors, supervisors and other stakeholders in the higher education sector in Africa and abroad will showcase their work, addressing needs for the green economy and future of work.
This will include the contributions of sectors like food security and agribusiness, AI and data science, climate change, energy and minerals, mining and materials sciences.
Chair of the PASET Executive Board based in Senegal Prof Aminata Diallo said the African governments have been motivated to implement PASET since 2013 with support of the World Bank.
PASET is a sub-Saharan Africa programme with an objective of strengthening science, technology and engineering capabilities for socio-economic transformation of the member countries through post-doctoral trainings and skilling the youth in the technical, vocational education and training sector.
The purpose of the RSIF Conference 2023/24 is to bring together the RSIF community, including scientists, policy makers, development partners and private sector to discuss concrete ways of enhancing the contribution of African higher education sector to Africa’s green economy future of work.
Currently, the PASET programme has 12 members, which include Rwanda, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Benin, Tanzania, Somalia, Burkina Faso and Kenya.
It is governed by African education ministers, scientists, development experts, business leaders and African academics and is facilitated by the World Bank.
The 5th PASET and RSIF conference was held at Kigali Convention Centre in Rwanda from May 20-22, 2019 under the theme: Destination Digital Preparing Africa: Preparing our Youth for the Future.
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By Brian Ndigo
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