The Kenya Embassy Dublin Ireland was honoured to receive Dr. Kevit Desai Principal Secretary (PS) in the State Department of Vocational and Technical Education when he paid a courtesy visit to the Kenya Ambassador to Ireland H.E Richard A. Opembe. The PS was in the country accompanied by the winners of the 2018 Young Scientists Kenya (Abdulrahman Ali & Wilson Irungu) and their teacher Anthony Bwogo from Nakuru High School, ahead of the BT Young Scientists and Technology Exhibition in the RDS where The Young Scientists winners displayed their winning projects. It officially opened its doors to the public on Thursday 10th to 12th January, 2019.
Young Scientists Kenya (YSK) is a unique and premier opportunity that is modelled on the success of the programme in Ireland. It involves Public, Private Sector and Civil Society stakeholders. YSK programme was set up in Kenya with the support of the Irish Embassy in Kenya and teachers from Irish schools including Joe Clowry, a science teacher based in Carlow. The success of the programme in Kenya facilitated its adoption in Tanzania.
The Inaugural National Science and Technology Exhibition for the Young Scientists Kenya (YSK) was opened by President Uhuru Kenyatta in July 2018 with Irish Ambassador to Kenya, Dr. Vincent O’Neil attending. It showcased 93 scientific projects created by secondary school students in 81 schools from across 10 counties, showing the immense creativity of young people in Kenya. It is the first time Kenyan students are exhibiting their winning projects at the Irish exhibition.
Ireland and Kenya successfully co-chaired the negotiation process for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), reinforcing the strong links that exists between the two countries. The 2030 Agenda (SDGs), applies equally to all countries, promoting development while protecting the environment.
The Kenyan winners of YSK participation at the exhibition gives them the opportunity to experience and witness world class innovations coming from Young Scientists in Ireland as well as enabling them to network with their peers in the technological sphere.