Minister for Science Technology and Innovation Dr. Elioda Tumwesigye has asked students to take interest in research projects that can solve problems facing societies within the country.
He said this on Friday while closing Mbarara University Science and Technology (MUST) 14th annual research dissemination conference which was held at Lake View Hotel in Mbarara.
“We don’t do research for purposes of doing research or for purposes of only publications but research must be aimed at solving pressing societal challenges,” said Minister Tumwesigye.
The Minister challenged students to undertake research that will leave a positive impactful in the area.
“Work on simple innovations. Let’s not think of splitting the atom. There are many things that we can work on to improve the lives of people,” he said.
Dr Tumwesigye who doubles as the Member of Parliament for Sheema municipality says research should also be able to influence government policies.
“Sometimes you find people have done research in this institution but people come to know this wonderful research when they meet their colleagues in international meetings. Such research is not helping the country”.
He hailed Mbarara University of Science and Technology for being a hub for multidisciplinary research. He noted that some of the presentations made on Friday had the potential of tackling real problems in the society especially in the area of health and environment.
Tumwesigye pledged total support to different fields of researchers in the country.
“You need to let me know what more we can do to make it easy for you to conduct your research. In my Ministry, we have created a whole department for innovations to recognize all the inventions and register them. There is also a Fund to support inventions,” he said.
The Vice Chancellor for MUST, Prof Celestine Obua applauded the Minister for being the pioneering head of the new Ministry of Science and Innovation.
At the same event, the students considered to have had outstanding research projects were rewarded with grants.
