2013 Annual Report a Message from Our Leadership
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
2013 Annual Report A Message From Our Leadership hile the ways in which we communicate in the digital era are ever-changing, what W has not changed is our commitment to creating opportunities for scientists and innovators around the globe to improve the human condition. Throughout CRDF Global’s almost 20 years of operation, we have watched scientists and innovators cross borders, defy language barriers, shape partnerships, and improve lives through advances in public health and medicine, environmental protection, global security, and economic stability. This is a challenging time to work internationally. Ms. Cathleen A. Campbell Ms. Dona L. Crawford Since its beginning, CRDF Global has operated on the President and Chief Executive Officer Co-Chair, Board of Directors principle that collaboration in science and innovation can strengthen relationships, promote peace, and build economic security. Overcoming difficult events donors, and clients that projects like these, and has helped us refine the processes by which we many more, are possible. This diverse network of forge symbiotic relationships to safely engage with government agencies, foundations, corporations scientists and innovators around the world. and individuals allows us to support scientists and innovators who genuinely strive to make the world In this annual report, we are highlighting three of our a better place, and look to CRDF Global to provide projects in 2013: an opportunity to do so. Together, we can build a worldwide ecosystem that sustains, strengthens, and 1. Through our implementation of U.S. enriches communities, countries, and humanity. Department of State funded Global Innovation through Science and Technology (GIST) Thank you for your commitment to achieving peace initiative, a rising Kenyan tech entrepreneur and prosperity through collaboration in science and launched a mobile textbook access application innovation. that helps students in Africa gain affordable access to the learning materials they need. 2. We partnered with the National Science Foundation to create a free database called Newton’s List, where researchers can locate vital funding opportunities. 3. Funded by the U.S. Department of State’s BioIndustry Initiative Program, we also concluded a large scale transformation of a former biological plant in Siberia into a biotechnology production facility that employs hundreds of scientists and contributes to the country’s agriculture and food industries. It is with the continued support of our funders, SUCCESS STORIES Newton's List - Where Funders and Collaborators Meet For scientists, the quest to create solutions to global problems never ends. According to the National Science Board’s Science and Engineering Indicators 2014, between 1997 and 2012, internationally coauthored articles grew from 16% to 25% of all articles published in peer reviewed journals. In the U.S. alone, the percentage of articles with coauthors from institutions in other countries increased from 19% in 1997 to 35% in 2012. Studies have also shown that articles stemming from teams of international collaborators are more likely to be highly cited and published in high impact journals, indicative of the strong quality of research. With new trends come new needs. As the rate of global collaboration in research continues to grow, Newton’s List allows nonprofits, government so does the need for a central, globally accessible agencies, private companies, and universities to network where scientists and researchers can post opportunities for research funding, travel search for opportunities to fund their internationally grants, fellowships, scholarships, and faculty research collaborative projects. In 2013, CRDF Global appointments. All opportunities must involve an partnered with the National Science Foundation to aspect of international collaboration and represent meet this need with a website known as Newton’s natural sciences, engineering and technology, or social List. sciences. “Newton’s List was inspired by conversations within the U.S. research community and with international “When people think, ‘How can I market a job partners,” said DeAndra Beck, former Program opportunity or where should I go to look for Director in the National Science Foundation’s housing,’ they usually think of Craigslist,” said Steve Office of International Science and Engineering. “The Bergen, CRDF Global Senior Program Manager. I concept is a user-based portal where anyone can would like to see that same automatic response upload funding opportunities. We are hoping to have when thinking of how to market an international a robust subscription from anyone who wants to research opportunity or find funding for a great idea.” post a funding opportunity for international research and education.” In 2013, over 37,000 unique users from across the U.S., Europe, Asia and the Middle East visited Newton’s List to post or search for funding opportunities. “The idea is that by making this free resource easily accessible, it will allow scientists and researchers to concentrate on what’s important: Absorbing new information, testing ideas, and inventing solutions for a better tomorrow,” Beck concluded. SUCCESS STORIES Kytabu - Access To Textbooks Through Technology What if the same technology we use to purchase and access books on our mobile devices here in the U.S. could be utilized in Kenya to reduce the cost of and broaden access to textbooks for students? Tech entrepreneur Tonee Ndungu asked that question and worked with CRDF Global to make his start-up venture, Kytabu, a reality. Affordability and access to educational materials is a universal issue. In Kenya, a country the World Bank ranks 154th out of 183 countries in the world on per capita income, the average family spends about half of its income on education with the majority of that figure paying for textbooks. For perspective, the median income of an average family in Kenya is $730 according to the country’s most recent census. So what if that same technology we use to purchase and access books on our mobile devices here in the U.S. could be utilized in Kenya to reduce the cost of and broaden access to textbooks for students? Tech entrepreneur Tonee Ndungu asked that question and worked with CRDF Global and the Global Innovation through Science and Technology (GIST) Initiative, a project funded by the U.S. Department of State, to publisher copyrights). These tablets are regularly make his start-up venture, Kytabu, a reality. updated over cellular data and made available to students through their schools. Reading material Using A Challenge to Create A Solution can be purchased for a set period of time by page, by chapter, or in its entirety for a fraction of what Growing up in Kenya, Tonee’s resourcefulness it would cost to buy a complete printed textbook. helped him navigate through school despite living Kytabu is also equipped with an app store where with dyslexia. He used audio books to absorb the users can download audio books, learning games, information he needed to keep up with studies. virtual classrooms, and past tests and exams. He accredits the inception of Kytabu, an affordable mobile textbook leasing service, to this particular “It simultaneously resolves the traditional problems challenge in his life. of availability, affordability, and access,” Ndungu explained. “With mobile money changing the fabric Kytabu, meaning “book” in Swahili, allows students of society in Kenya in the most tangible manner and their families to securely access and rent because of its convenience, it only made sense to portions of required reading materials for a specific incorporate and integrate it into the buying process.” amount of time on a mobile platform. Considering He estimates that by using this mobile platform, UNICEF’s report showing a mobile penetration rate textbook costs are lowered by about 60% over of 72% in Kenya while only 32% utilize traditional buying traditional hardcopies. In addition, the material access to the internet, the service seems to be on remains technologically relevant and up to date. the right platform. Via Kytabu, every textbook in the Kenyan primary and secondary school education “The genius in the application is the ability to micro- curriculum becomes available pre-installed on pay for bite-sized content only when it is needed,” Android-based tablets (and encrypted to protect U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said at the 2013 Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where Tonee was honored for this venture as part of the GIST Tech-I competition. Giving Students a Chance to Learn Tonee started developing Kytabu in 2012. As a self-described Social Technopreneur, he constantly strives to build innovations to help people while also creating a sustainable business model. Though his first startup failed, he pressed on. With Kytabu, he reached out to CRDF Global and the GIST Initiative to seek world-class mentorship and networking opportunities. He heard about the GIST Tech-I competition through a friend who participated in the GIST Entrepreneurship Journey program, which takes the top alumni to the U.S. to accelerate their When Tonee accepted his honor as the 2013 GIST startups. Tech-I Winner for the Start-Up track, he extended The GIST Tech-I competition puts aspiring one hand to accept congratulations from Jeff Hoffman entrepreneurs through a rigorous process of pitching while fighting back tears with the other. “It was ventures to an expert panel of entrepreneurs probably the best time I have had in a long time,” and investors, and creating videos to gain support Tonee said. “I have to thank everyone involved for the through public voting to narrow the field to 30 rising help and support. Kytabu will make it because you are entrepreneurs. In 2013, those top 30 earned a trip all watching.” to the Global Entrepreneurship Summit where they “I am inspired by entrepreneurs like Tonee Ndungu of completed a four-day mentorship program with the Kenya,” Secretary of State Kerry commented during top two ventures honored at the conclusion of the his presentation at the Summit.