The meeting was prompted by the rising demand for technical expertise in science, technology and innovation. Currently, the number of technical staff has been on the decline partly due to conversion of technical institutes into universities. 

MMUST is a TVET university that has strong focus on technical training. The staff proposed enhanced training and recruitment of technical staff nationwide to stem the decline in skilled labour. Prof. Otieno said that “The technician of today is not the same as of yesteryears; this is because there have been tremendous technological advancements that the developing world needs to catch up with”.