NAIROBI, Kenya – A new State Department has been established under the Ministry of Education by President William Ruto.
Principal Secretary for Science, Research, and Innovation Prof. Abdulrazak Shaukat was appointed by the head of state.
The department, which is presently led by PS Beatrice Inyangala, was carved from the higher education docket.
As a result of this action, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba’s ministry now has three principal secretaries.
Inyangala, who retains Higher Education, and Julius Bitok, who will oversee the Basic Education Department, are the other two.
Belio Kipsang and Bitok, who was the Immigration PS before, switched roles.
Against this backdrop, Y News looks at the rich career path of Prof. Shaukat, a distinguished scholar.
Prof. Abdulrazak Shaukat’s career experience
Until his current appointment, Prof. Shaukat has been serving as the director of the Division for Africa, Technical Cooperation Department, IAEA, United Nations. He held the position from November 2014.
He also served as the vice-chancellor of Umma University between July 2014 and November 2015.
Additionally, Prof. Shaukat has also served as the CEO of the National Commission for Science, Technology, and Innovation from April 2008 to April 2014.
He was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Extension) at Egerton University between June 2002 and June 2007.
Dr. Beatrice Inyangala,PS for Higher Education and Prof. Abdulrazak Shaukat during the handing over of the State Dept.bof Science, Research and Innovation held at his new office at Jogoo House where he was also welcomed by Directors from his departure and briefed.
Prof. Shaukat brings a wealth of experience in academia and scientific research.
Prof. Abdulrazak Shaukat’s educational background
He holds an undergraduate degree from Egerton University, a postdoctoral fellowship at Shimane University in Japan, and an MSc and PhD in agricultural sciences from the University of Aberdeen in the United Kingdom.
In addition, he holds fellow status in both the African Academy of Sciences and the World Academy of Sciences.
Professor Abdulrazak will now head the new State Department for Science, Research and Innovation that had previously been part of the State Department for Higher Education bringing with him expertise from the fields of Science and Research.
The establishment of the new department comes after President Ruto stressed the government’s commitment to turning universities into centres of research and innovation during the charter-granting ceremony at Riara University.
“We must invest in research and development to unlock Kenya’s potential. This department will drive innovation and ensure we fully exploit opportunities in science and technology,” Ruto stated.
Stakeholders in education have praised the president’s move and exuded confidence that it will improve the nation’s ecology for research and innovation.
