Dear Members,

Please find below the details on an important invitation for the regional Engineering Students Exhibition 13.11.2006, Sarit Centre (Nairobi)

Engineering Students Exhibition 2006

Showing Kenya’s innovative powers

Nairobi, 6^th November 2006 - The 9^th edition of the annual ICT and Engineering Students Exhibition 2006 of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) will be held on 13^th November 2006 in Nairobi. This exhibition brings together academia, industries and government to realize the vital opportunity of creating linkages and collaboration. There are 120 entries from nine countries in the region. The event is supported by the Ministry of Information and Communications, Kenya Private Sector Alliance and the Kenya ICT Federation.

The objective of the Engineering Students Exhibition is to encourage students to develop their engineering skills and to give them deeper insight in technology coupled with market demand. The preparation and presentation of projects challenges them to use their theoretical knowledge and demonstrate their engineering ability. Students also network with local and international participants, and interact with senior representatives of the private sector.

An Innovation System for Kenya

The Engineering Students Exhibition proofs there is a need and opportunity for Kenya to organise an Innovation System in which academia, private sector and public sector collaborate. The Government can play a facilitating role through an independent Science Technology and Innovation (SCTI) council, tasked to create an Innovation System that takes full advantage of Kenya’s comparative advantages. Local industry cannot fund research and development on its own. However, Kenya’s vibrant private sector will be able to take full advantage of such an Innovation System. The Innovation System will also help universities and higher education to emerge from isolation and integrate their curriculum with industry requirements. Due to the introverted nature of many institutions, research has limited relevance towards the socio-economic needs of the country and our creative talents remain under-utilised.

The IEEE through its East African Section encourages all to explore the impressive creative engineering power we have in our students population. Sarit Centre Expo hall doors open at 10.00am, followed by hourly speeches and with a prize giving ceremony at 6.30pm. Free admission.

Information:

Kevit Desai

Chairperson IEEE East Africa

Governor - KEPSA

Director of Engineering - Centurion Systems Ltd.

Nairobi, Kenya

Office tel: +254 20 4440102/3

Cell: +254 0722 517067

Email: kevit@centurionsystemsltd.com