BY BLAIR MHONE
Government, through the Ministry of Education, has today launched the Science and Technology (S&T) Fund as part of efforts to accelerate the country’s agenda 2063.
The government has already made an initial investment of MK291 Million into the Fund.
Speaking during the launch of the fund at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe, education minister Agnes Nyalonje, who was accompanied by her Deputy Monica Chang’anamuno, said the initiative represents a long-awaited start to the strategic financing of Malawi’s own Science and Technology research and innovation for development.
“I am glad that today we have taken the first step as a country to turn Malawi into a science and technology led middle income economy by 2063, with an initial Government investment of MK291 Million into the Fund.
“The establishment of the Science and Technology Fund represents a long-awaited start to the strategic financing of Malawi’s own Science and Technology research and innovation for development.
“This will lead to new businesses, highly skilled and well-paid jobs, and will contribute to the success of Malawi 2063,” said the minister.
On his part National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST) Board Chairperson Professor Emmanuel Kaunda said financing science, technology and innovation will help to achieve a knowledge based and technologically led economy by 2063.
As part of the launch, the Minister inspected pavilions that showcased various science and technological innovations.
Nyalonje also presented symbolic cheques to the first group of awardees of the fund.
