IRST’s restructuring long overdue

Editor, I have learnt that the Chamber of Deputies will this week scrutinise a bill for the creation of a new research body to replace the Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (IRST).

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Editor,I have learnt that the Chamber of Deputies will this week scrutinise a bill for the creation of a new research body to replace the Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (IRST).In my opinion the restructuring is long overdue! But care is needed when setting up the National Industrial Research and DevelopmentAgency (NIRDA). The biggest problem we face today is that mostly, the nation doesn’t have such a Science and Research Policy and, all is left to the young institution to handle; yet, the agency has been given limited resources.Some of our leaders have been asking IRST to come up with a science and research policy, and implement it. Yet the agency does not have enough budget.Much can be said about industrial and basic research in our country, its saddening!Sibo, EAC