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Dr. Vincent O’Neill, Former Ambassador of Ireland to Kenya and Board Member, Young Scientists & Technology Exhibition Ireland, giving his remarks at the opening ceremony of the 8th annual Young Scientists Kenya National Science and Technology Exhibition.
Young scientists have called for enhanced collaboration between educators, policymakers and the
government to create a more supportive environment for science, technology,
engineering and mathematics education.
Speaking during the opening ceremony
of the 8th National Science and Technology Exhibition in Nairobi, Vincent
O’Neill, board member of the Young Scientists and Technology Exhibition Ireland
and former Irish Ambassador to Kenya, praised the progress made by Young
Scientists Kenya since 2015.
“From a simple idea to a nationwide
movement that has now reached over 250,000 students across all 47 counties, YSK
shows that when knowledge is shared, societies are transformed,” O’Neill said.
He urged YSK and its private sector
partners to deepen engagement with government policymakers to strengthen Stem learning in schools, emphasising the need to embed its promotion into national
education strategies.
“Lasting transformation requires
strong partnerships at the policy level. It’s vital for the government to help
train and equip teachers with skills and confidence needed to inspire the
next generation,” O’Neil said.
He highlighted YSK’s latest
initiative—a pioneering Artificial Intelligence education programme seeking to train 300 secondary school teachers in foundational AI skills. Delivered
through Raspberry Pi technology, the programme is designed to integrate AI
tools into classrooms and better prepare students for Kenya’s digital economy.
“In recent years, we’ve seen more
students embracing Stem, thanks to teachers who have been empowered through
targeted training. This marks a shift from the limited exposure many educators
had in the past,” O’Neil said. “It proves that when policy, teacher development and
student engagement align, the results are transformative.”
Since its official launch in 2018,
YSK has trained more than 850 teachers, supported more than 1,700 student-led
projects and impacted more than 250,000 students. The programme has also led to 15
university scholarships, several patented innovations and multiple student-led
start-ups.
“Seven years on, we’re seeing former
participants winning innovation awards, launching tech startups and driving
change across industries. This proves that investing in young minds today
creates the leaders of tomorrow,” said YSK Board chairperson Ben Roberts.
The week-long exhibition includes
project judging, industry showcases, mentorship sessions and public
exhibitions. It will conclude with an awards ceremony on Saturday, August 9. Top student projects will receive university scholarships, international
exposure and business development support through the Winners’ Bootcamp.
“Great change happens when vision
meets collaboration. Our work with YSK proves that by combining resources,
expertise and passion, we can unlock the potential of an entire generation,”
said Peter Wairagu, country director of the Raspberry Pi Foundation.
The exhibition continues to serve as
a powerful platform for nurturing Kenya’s next generation of scientists,
innovators and problem-solvers, while fostering stronger collaboration among
youth, academia, industry and government.
Instant
analysis
Kenya’s youth-driven Stem revolution
is gaining traction, but stronger government involvement is vital to sustain
momentum. The Young Scientists Kenya initiative, now in its 8th year,
demonstrates how targeted training, policy alignment and private-sector
support can transform education. The introduction of AI training for teachers
marks a forward-looking step, preparing students for a digital future. However,
without deeper integration into national education policies and consistent
government support, such efforts risk stagnation. For Kenya to truly harness
its innovation potential, it must institutionalize STEM education, invest in
teacher capacity, and ensure students from all regions access these
life-changing opportunities.
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