ABOUT CSTI:
Mission: Improving lives through science, technology and innovation.
CSTI is a Kenya-based research and development hub and think tank. We support science-driven environmental initiatives to stimulate the development of new technologies, promote sustainable business innovations and enable community-led growth across Africa.
The CSTI Story:
The Centre for Science and Technology Innovation (CSTI) is a UNESCO associated centre registered as a Trust Deed under Kenya's Trustees Act Chapter 167. Based at the Kenya National Academy of Sciences, CSTI began operations in 1998.
CSTI was founded by scientists who realized that science in the 21st century is progressing faster than the lay person can absorb.
On the one hand technological advancement is changing the frontiers of human existence for the better (e.g. medicinal advances, production miniaturization, increased technological affordability).
On the other hand, a two class society is at risk of developing: those who have the capability to leverage the latest scientific advances experience economic growth. Those who do not have the capability to absorb and adapt scientific breakthroughs are being marginalized into obsolescence.
The whole premise behind humans as rational beings is predicated on the assumption that we can use our intellect to rise above crude survival based tendencies by collaborating in ways that guide human and societal evolution towards balance and improvement.
We must use our multi-disciplinary talents to find inclusive models that prevent human obsolescence by acting on the belief that human life and ecological life are the highest valued assets on our planet.
Therefore, we must use scientific innovation to improve life as a means of preserving our most valued assets.
How We Work:
CSTI is chartered under Kenyan law as an educational Trust. Our trustees are recognized faculty from Kenyan universities. The Kenya National Academy of Sciences serves as our governing body to ensure peer reviewed scrutiny of our activities. Our association with UNESCO links us to the global scientific community.
CSTI activities must be educational in focus. We respond to community requests for assistance on complex challenges such as climate change related drought, the spread of infectious diseases, and, livelihoods that are adversely impacted by the spread of invasive species. Our solutions leverage Human Centered Design and Appropriate Technology in order to create sustainable adaptive tools and processes which communities can manage on their own.
In this manner, we link scientific innovation to the benefit of everyday people.
The aims of the Center are:
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To promote innovation in science teaching at the secondary and tertiary education levels through the incorporation of new trends in science.
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To enhance the transfer of science and technology research results to distressed communities for economic development.
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To promote constructive linkages between science and industry, for the enhancement of economic development.
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To promote the effective use of science and technology in the food production process.
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To facilitate initiative to achieve greater efficiency, through the adoption of good scientific principles, in the provision of various categories of services.
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To promote the use of information and communication technologies in the transfer of science and technology.
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To collaborate with other centres with similar objectives and aims.
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To act as broker of knowledge and skills between researcher/research institution and end-users including policy makers.
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To perform any other duty furthering the development, promotion and dissemination of science and technology.