REPUBLIC OF RWANDA Office Of The President Ministry Of Science, Technology And Scientific Research Urugwiro Village PO Box 15 Kigali Rwanda The Republic of Rwanda’s Tel: (+250)5902034 Fax: (+250)5902115 Policy on Science, Technology E-Mail: [email protected] and Innovation United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies (UNU-IAS) 6F International Organizations Center Pacifico-Yokohama 1-1-1 Minato Mirai, NIshi-ku Yokohama 220-8502 Japan Tel: +81 45 221 2300 Fax: +81 45 221 2302 Email: [email protected] Website: www.ias.unu.edu The United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies (UNU-IAS) is a global think tank whose mission is “advancing knowledge and promoting learning for policy-making to meet the challenges of sustainable development”. UNU-IAS undertakes research and postgraduate education to identify and address strategic issues of concern for all humankind, for governments and decision makers and, particularly, for developing countries. The Institute convenes expertise from disciplines such as economics, law, social and natural sciences to better understand and contribute creative solutions to pressing global concerns, with research focused on the following areas: • Biodiplomacy, • Sustainable Development Governance, • Science Policy for Sustainable Development, • Education for Sustainable Development, and • Ecosystems and People Lead coordinators Romain Murenzi Minister in the President’s Office in Charge of Science and Technology, Technology and Scientific Research E-mail: [email protected] Mike Hughes Advisor Science and Technology Rwandan Ministry, President’s Office, E-mail: [email protected] Cover Photos World Links ‘Primary Education Computerization Project’ funded by USAID Background image Getty Images Copyright ©2006 UNU-IAS and the Republic of Rwanda’s Ministry of Science, Technology and Scientific Research UNU-IAS Report The Republic of Rwanda Policy on Science, Technology and Innovation October 2006 THe Republic of Rwanda Ministry in the President’s Office in Charge of Science, Technology and Scientific Research P.O. Box 15 Kigali Acknowledgements The Vision 2020 for Rwanda highlights the crucial role August 2006, with support from UNECO that Science and Technology will play for Rwanda’s devel- and United Nations University opment. This Policy document has been written to build - Publishing of the Policy on Science, on the immense work that has been done since 1994 to Technology and Innovation develop Rwanda, in order to enhance the Science, Technol- ogy and Research capacity, and to reinforce the develop- The above national science and technology conference was ment pillars of Vision 2020, across all sectors of the Rwan- also attended and supported by Ambassadors and Heads dan economy. of Mission of our development partners in Education, Sci- ence, Technology and Scientific Research, including: UK, His Excellency, Paul Kagame, The President of Rwanda has USA, Netherlands, Sweden, Germany, Belgium, South Af- acknowledged the extreme importance of not working rica, France, Japan, Canada, China, Kenya, Uganda, Tanza- in isolation but learning from the experiences of other nia, Russia, UNDP, DFID, World Bank, and many others. All countries both from our neighbours in the region and also of these have continued to support Rwanda throughout internationally. It is in this respect that I am delighted to the past decade in the development of science and tech- acknowledge the many people both at home, regionally nology, either through technical on the ground support and internationally who have worked with us to ensure in Rwanda, or through scholarships in their countries to that this document comprehensively embraces all areas of Rwandan students of Sciences. science and technology that we need to strengthen and reinforce in order to meet the aims of our vision. The conference and policy development was also support- ed by many Rwandan Cabinet Ministers whose sectors are International Support has been given from experts on Sci- related to Science, Technology and Research, including: ence, Technology and Research Policy, including: Dr Vijo- Professor Manasseh Nshuti, (then) Minister of Commerce, leta Braach–Maksvytis – former Global Director, Common- Industry, Investment Promotion, Tourism and Coopera- wealth Science Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), tives, Dr Patrick Habamenshi, (then) Minister of Agricul- Australia, Dr Fiona Clouder–Richards - Head of Science and ture and Animal Resources, Mrs Drocella Mugorewera, Innovation at the Foreign Commonwealth Office, UK, Dr (then) Minister of Lands, Environment, Forestry, Water, Richard Hall - Deputy Director, International Foundation and Mines, Mr Evariste Bizimana, (then) Minister of Infra- for Science, Sweden, Dr Eamon Kelly - Tulane University structure, Dr Jean Damascene Ntawukuliryayo, Minister of and former Chairman National Science Foundation, US. Health, and Ministers of State: Eng Albert Butare; Profes- sor Bikoro Munyanganizi; Mrs Patricia Hajabakiga; Dr Da- Regional and National Support has been given from, phrose Gahakwa; and Dr Innocent Nyaruhirira. Plus many among many others: Prof Brig. Gen. Yadou M.Kohi - Direc- other key stakeholders from both academia and private tor General Tanzania Commission for Science and Technol- industry in Rwanda, including the rectors of Rwanda’s in- ogy, Prof. Zerababel Nyiira - Executive Secretary Uganda stitutes of Higher Learning, (National University, Kigali In- National Council for Science and Technology, Prof. Man- stitute of Science and Technology, Institute of Agriculture naseh NSHUTI – (then) Rwandan Minister of Commerce, and Animal Husbandry, Kigali Health Institute and Kigali Industry, Investment Promotion, Tourism and Coopera- Institute of Education), together with representatives of tives, Dr Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya – Rwandan Minister the Rwanda Private Sector Federation. of Education. Following extensive discussion and debate on the draft Our National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy policy document an eight person drafting committee, was developed with the help of considerable support drawn from senior members of academia, civil society and from our development partners, in particular I would like private sector, was formed to fine tune the policy docu- to highlight the following key events: ment using both the feedback from the conference and further consultation with key stakeholders. I acknowledge September 2004, with support of the World Bank the support of this drafting committee which comprised - Advisor Science and Technology Appointed; as follows: November 2004, with support of DFID / UNESCO - Concept paper CSIRO – Preparatory National Integrated Prof. Silas Lwakabamba, (Chairman) Innovation Framework for Rwanda; Prof. Chrysologue Karangwa, (Vice Chairman) Dr Rose Mukankomeje, (Secretary) December 2004 – April 2005 Mike Hughes, (Coordinator) - Drafting of initial policy document with extensive con- Prof. Kalisa Mbanda, sultation with key stakeholders Leopold Mukama, Claver Yisa, May 2005, with support of DFID Emma Rubagumya,. - National Science and Technology Conference in Butare to review draft Policy Document. This was opened by His On July 7th 2005 - Letter from Professor Chrysologue Ka- Excellency Paul KAGAME, President of the Republic of rangwa on behalf of Drafting Committee: “I am pleased to Rwanda, and, on behalf of our development partners, Jer- inform you that the Committee you appointed, following emie Macadie, the UK Ambassador. the Science and Technology Policy Conference of 5th and July 2005, 6th May 2005, to oversee the revisions to the draft Na- - Approval of the National Policy on Science, tional Science and Technology Policy document has now Technology and Innovation by the Rwandan Cabinet. completed its task.” 4 I am very grateful to the support of Professor Joseph Mas- saquoi (UNESCO) and Dr M. Taeb and the United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies (UNU-IAS) for all their support in the publishing of this document. I know there were many others who also participated and supported in the process and for you and all the above mentioned I gratefully acknowledge your support. I look forward to seeing the words in this policy docu- ment converted into solid actions that will help transform Rwanda into the technology led, knowledge based econo- my envisioned for our future. Professor Romain Murenzi Minister in the President’s Office in Charge of Science, Technology and Scientific Research 5 Contents Preface 1 Foreword 2 1 Introduction 3 1.1 Overview 3 1.2 Rural Transformation 3 1.3 Economic Transformation 4 2 Background 5 3 Science and technology policy objectives 6 3.1 Principal Policy Objective 6 3.2 Specific Policy Objectives 6 3.2.1 Knowledge Acquisition 6 3.2.2 Knowledge Creation 6 3.2.3 Knowledge Transfer 7 3.2.4 Innovation Culture 7 4 Strategies To Achieve Policy Objectives 8 4.1 National Integrated Innovation Framework 8 4.2 Government Reforms 9 4.2.1 General Principals 9 4.2.2 Public Sector Reform and Adjustments 9 4.2.3 Science and Technology Outreach 9 4.2.4 Incentives for S&T Policy Implementation 10 4.3 Public-Private Partnerships in Research and Development 10 4.4 Intellectual Property 10 5 Sector Policy Statements And Strategies 11 5.1 Education 11 5.1.1 Science and Technology Policy in Education 11 5.1.2 Science and Technology Strategies in Education 11 5.2 Health 11 5.2.1 Science and Technology Policy in Health 12 5.2.2 Science and Technology Strategies in Health 12 5.3 Agricultural and Animal Husbandry 12