DAR ES SALAAM, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania's Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has completed a draft National Technology Roadmap aimed at forecasting the country's technology needs over the next 25 years, an official said on Thursday.
The roadmap will cover 13 sectors and is expected to guide strategic research, innovation and investment in line with national development priorities, said Ladislus Mnyone, director of the ministry's Department of Science, Technology, and Innovation.
He made the remarks in the northern coastal city of Tanga during a discussion on science, technology, skills and innovation.
Mnyone said the areas were cross-cutting and affected all sectors of the economy, requiring a coordinated and strategic approach.
He said the roadmap would help the government and other stakeholders plan long-term technology requirements while directing research and innovation toward areas considered critical to national development.
Mnyone urged stakeholders to prioritize broader national interests rather than focusing on the interests of individual institutions or ministries, saying this would be important for implementing Tanzania's National Development Vision 2050.
He also called on stakeholders to propose solutions to challenges rather than merely raising complaints, including practical measures that could be undertaken by the government, private sector and other stakeholders to strengthen the contribution of science, technology and innovation to development.
The official said stakeholders' views would be used to prepare a technical document containing policy recommendations and implementation measures.
He added that the ministry had completed the National Science, Technology and Innovation Master Plan and was implementing a strategy to engage Tanzanians living abroad in education, science, technology and innovation.
These initiatives, he said, were part of efforts to strengthen the use of science, technology and innovation to address national challenges and promote sustainable development. ■