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Researchers across the country have been urged to embark on provision of solutions to problems facing Kenyans through studies.

Zetech University Vice Chancellor Prof Njenga Munene noted that academics play a vital role in provision of solutions to the day-to-day challenges that Kenyans grapple with.

Munene who spoke during the launch of the university’s Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Technology center at the main campus in Ruiru stated that researchers have power to influence policy making decisions for the country through the relevant research.

He noted that various social-economic challenges that Kenyans encounter daily among them diseases, poverty, drought, unemployment, depression, corruption among others can be effectively solved through research.

“Researchers and us scholars have a mandate of joining hands with other stakeholders who are like-minded to conduct research and examine findings which could be key solutions to the many challenges facing our society especially like now,” he said.

Munene revealed that Zetech University has invested heavily in research and innovation noting that with the opening of the Innovation Hub, the University will be able to hone and incubate innovations and researches.

“With this center for research and entrepreneurship, we will be able to have our students and university staff embark on research whose findings can be commercialized. We will help our researchers patent their work to benefit maximumly,” he said.

He advised researchers to go beyond undertaking research on problems afflicting the society and ensure their research findings are known and in turn help in policy making processes at the National and county levels.

While insisting that Covid-19 has nearly changed the entire way of living for everybody across the globe, the VC told students as well as researchers to embark on extensive research and innovations that will help people cope with the pandemic.

According to BIMAS Kenya Limited CEO Dr Patrick Gathondu, students must also embrace the route of becoming techno-savvy and be entrepreneurial to have a firm competitive edge in the job market.

Gathondy who graced the event noted that Kenyans must create technologies that will help them survive ever-growing challenges in the world.

“We can no longer say we will survive or live without technology. It is with us and part of us. Learners must adapt to the changing world and more so endeavor to become entrepreneurial if they ever desire to do exploits,” he said.