This archive report was first published on 1 August 2019.
The Young Scientist Kenya exhibition, a flagship project of Ireland in partnership with the Ministry of Education, has opened at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre. The exhibition, which runs until August 7, features projects from all 47 counties of Kenya.
Irish Ambassador Fionnuala Quinlan, who has taken over from Dr Vincent O'Neill, is overseeing the unveiling of the exhibition. Quinlan has expressed her commitment to the project, which aims to nurture the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs in Kenya.
According to Quinlan, the Young Scientist Kenya project builds on Ireland's own development story, which saw the country transition from an agrarian society to a globalised economy. The project aims to support the development of Kenya's private sector and entrepreneurship, particularly in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Quinlan noted that the project has come a long way since its inception in Ireland over 50 years ago. The first exhibition in Kenya, held in 2018, featured projects from 10 counties, and this year's exhibition has seen participation from all 47 counties, with over 45,000 students involved.
Quinlan also highlighted the importance of mentorship in the project, with partnerships with institutions such as Strathmore University and Riara University providing mentors for the event. The project aims to support the winners of the exhibition, who will receive specialized mentorship and guidance to help them develop their ideas further.
President Uhuru Kenyatta, the patron of the Young Scientist Kenya project, has recognized the potential of the project and has requested that it be rolled out nationally. The project is in line with the government's Big Four agenda and the Vision 2030.
