The World Bank has released recommendations on building a vibrant science and technology environment in Rwanda, which if implemented, they will steer the achieving of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) earlier than expected.

The recommendations are in the book that was launched on Monday, by Prof Romain Murenzi, the Minister in the President’s Office in charge of Science and Technology, at Hotel Novotel in Kigali City.

The book dubbed, ‘Building Science, Technology and Innovation Capacity in Rwanda: Developing Practical Solutions to Practical Problems’ also covers the theme of applying science and technology holistically in all levels of education and training.

The World Bank funded publication says that if the recommendations are implemented, the Millennium Development Goals could be achieved before 2015.

While launching it, Prof. Murenzi, said the government of Rwanda recorganises the importance of science and technology to her economic development and growth.

"There is top commitment in Rwanda as demonstrated by Vision 2020 and commitment of President Paul Kagame, towards the value of science and technology for Rwanda’s development.”

Citing a text from President Kagame’s speech to Royal Society in UK in September, Murenzi said, "We in Africa must either begin to build our science and training capabilities or remain an impoverish appendage to the global economy.”

It talks about developing business and quickening the pace of wealth-creation and an employment generation. Practical solutions to a series of everyday economic and social development problems are also identified in the book.

Food processing, value added exports, production and diffusion of appropriate technology have been tackled in the book. Provision of clean drinking water, Geoscience and Geothermo energy, and client focused agricultural research are discussed.

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