The COSTECH-STICE Conference

The Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH) is a public institution established by the Act of Parliament No. 7 of 1986. It is responsible for coordinating, supporting, and monitoring scientific research, Innovation, technology development, and transfer in the United Republic of Tanzania. The Commission undertakes its legal mandates and functions in collaboration with higher learning institutions, research and development institutions, or with any person(s) who engage in scientific research, discoveries, and innovation development.  The Commission is the principal advisor to the government on all matters related to science, technology, and innovation (STI). It is responsible for acquiring, storing, analyzing, and disseminating Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) information; and may, for that purpose hold or sponsor conferences, symposia, meetings, seminars, or workshops, or publish any newspaper, journal or periodical or do any other act or thing designed to promote interest in STI; mobilization of funds for support and promotion of STI from the Government, private sector and other sources.

In the year 2023, COSTECH organized the eighth National Science, Technology, and Innovation Conference and Exhibition (STICE) events (8^th STICE). This conference and exhibition event was held from June 14th to 16th, 2023, at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC) in Dar es Salaam. The event attracted more than 1,720 participants among which 1,120 attended physically and 600 participated online through Zoom and Microsoft team. The conference and exhibition event brought together an eclectic mix of participants, including researchers, academicians, innovators, entrepreneurs, and inventors from both the public and private sectors, alongside development partners and policymakers representing diverse fields. The primary objective of the 8th STICE was to foster the exchange of knowledge and experiences among participants, with a particular focus on the pivotal role of Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) in achieving various critical national developmental plans. During the 8th STICE event, an impressive total of fifty-six (56) papers and sixteen (16) posters were presented and for the wider dissemination of about 39 of these presentations were earmarked for publication in the East African Journal of Science, Technology, and Innovation (EAJSTI).