NATIONAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL (NSTC) The Role of NSTC in STI Development in Zambia Presented at the Research & Innovation Management Forum 16 th March, 2017, Lusaka, Zambia Filipo Zulu Manager Programme Development & Implementation Department NSTC
Synopsis Overview on NSTC National Research Landscape STI Promotion Mechanisms of Funding to R&D Selected Research Issues/Opportunities/Solutions In Zambia
Promotion Coordination Regulation Resource Mobilisation Policy Advice OVERVIEW ON NSTC Statutory body created under the S&T Act, No. 26 of 1997 Promotion of STI for Improved Quality of Life in Zambia N S T C
NATIONAL RESEARCH AND INNOVATION LANDSCAPE Public R&Ds Higher Learning Institutions International R&Ds MOHE/Line Ministries STI support Institutions ( NSTC, NTBC, NRSC,) Trusts NGOs
Promotion of STI Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics mentorship Programme Establishment of Science, Technology and Innovation Merit Award for both Females and Males Establishment of the Young Scientist Award Hosting the Quarterly Science Forum Hosting of the Annual Zambia Science Conference Hosting the Annual Science Week
Regulation and Coordination Regulation: The S&T Act empowers the Council to regulate science and technology research. This is attained by carrying out inspections and registration of all research and development institutions and centres in the country Coordination: The Council has achieved this role by putting in place coordinating tools for the national R&D system.
Research Agenda Setting The Council facilitates the identification and determination of national research and development priorities for all fields of science and technology in the country. The Council has developed the National Research Agenda (NRA). The NRA spells out priorities for research based on sectoral development priorities for the period 2017-2019.
MECHANISMS OF FUNDING TO R&D Research Funding (Grants) Government Supported Funding Strategic Research Fund (SRF) S&T Innovation Youth Fund (STIYF)
Strategic Research Fund (SRF) Overall Objective : To support basic and applied research and development in identified areas of national priority, and to enhance research capacity in Zambia. Specific Objectives: R&D funding in national priority areas Research infrastructure development Human Capital Development Facilitate research collaboration Facilitate S&T Publishing Facilitate acquisition of Intellectual Property Rights
S R F Funding Windows within SRF Targeted/ Directed research Bilateral Collaborative Research Post-Graduate student research Counterpart Funding e.g. IAEA Open/ Applicant initiated research
Bilateral Collaborative Activities The NSTC undertakes joint activities such as joint research projects, joint symposia, and joint researchers workshops with the National Research Foundation (NRF) of the Republic of South Africa, National Research Fund (FNI) of the Republic of Mozambique and; German Research Foundation (DFG)
Other Strategic Partnerships for STI development International Initiatives Engagements Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) Global Research Council SARIMA IAEA SASCCAL SAIS SKA Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) R&Ds engage in demand driven research that attracts private sector investment
Selected Research Issues/Opportunities/Solutions In Zambia Duplication of research works National Research Agenda being developed; Helps to guide and align research to focused areas of national priority and to streamline research resources The Silos Syndrome (Limited collaborations among researchers and research institutions) Need for multi-disciplinary research projects that promote collaborative research Encourage bilateral and multilateral collaborative research
(Contd.) Limited Research Infrastructure and Equipment Lobby Government to recapitalise R&Ds and advocate for creation of research centres of excellence Facilitate researcher access to rare infrastructure & equipment in the region Limited research Human Resource capacity Facilitate Human Capital Development i.e. training and exchange programmes with countries Lack of attractive incentives for researchers Need for proactive policy to provide for incentives for researchers
(Contd.) Poor linkages with existing industry promote smart partnerships, networks and linkages among STI stakeholders in the public sector, the business community and academia to encourage their collaboration in R&D Lack of appropriate industry to take up innovations Need for policy integration to promote creation of industry and technology transfer Inadequate funding to Research Institutions Proactive mobilisation of financial resources for R&D
Thank you Contact: The Executive Secretary Curriculum Development Centre Building CDC Haile Selassie Avenue, Long acres P.O. Box 51309 Lusaka Zambia. Telephone: +260 211 255854 Fax: +260 211 257194 Email: nstc@nstc.org.zm Website: www.nstc.org.zm.