Annual Report
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days of harnessing science, technology and innovation for improved competitiveness and economic growth. 2014/15 Annual Report Fostering Excellence through Knowledge and Innovation Fostering Excellence through Knowledge and Innovation 2014/15 Annual Report NCRST 2014/15 ANNUAL REPORT | 1 Table of Contents Foreword by the Chairperson 3 Review by the Chief Executive Officer 7 PART I: ORGANISATIONAL OVERVIEW 13 Corporate Overview 13 NCRST Mandate Mission Vision Values Strategic Themes Board of Commissioners Structure 15 Functions NCRST Commissioners 16 NCRST Committees and Councils 20 Management and Support Structure 25 Executive Management Office of the CEO 26 Research, Science Technology and Innovation Coordination and Support 28 Innovation and Technology Development (Management of National facilities) 30 Business Support 32 PART II: PERFORMANCE OVERVIEW 38 Support Structure 39 Internal Audit Company Secretariat and Legal Advice Quality Assurance and Operation Excellence Corporate Communications and Marketing 40 Human Resources Finance 41 Information Technology 42 Research, Science Technology and Innovation Coordination and Support 44 Policies and Programme Development Resource Mobilization and Grant Management 45 Human Resource, Institutional Development and Science Promotion 47 Innovation and Technology Development 50 Innovation and Industrial Research 50 Natural Sciences 51 Biotechnology 52 NCRST Funded Projects 54 Research Funding Under the Namibia/South Africa Bilateral Agreement 54 Research Funding under 1st National Call FOR Individuals with Capacity 59 Building Component Research Funding under the 2nd National Call for Research Groups with 61 Capacity Building Component Research Funding under the 3rd National Call For PhD proposals 61 PART III: ORGANISATIONAL PERFORMANCE AND MONITORING 62 PART IV: FINANCIAL REPORT 68 2 | NCRST 2014/15 ANNUAL REPORT NCRST 2014/15 ANNUAL REPORT | 3 FOREWORD BY THE CHAIRPERSON efore I start this review of the Science, Technology and Innovation previous year’s work, I would (NPRSTI) as provided for in terms like to congratulate Hon Dr. of Section 18 of Research, Science and Itah Kandjii-Murangi, Minister Technology Act, 2004 (Act 23 of 2004). Bof Higher Education, Training and The National Programme on Research, Innovation, and her Deputy, Hon Dr. Science, Technology and Innovation Becky Ndjoze-Ojo, for their appointment provides a framework to ensure that our to lead the new Ministry of Higher innovation drive is geared towards self- Education, Training and Innovation. employment, job creation as well as the The National Commission of Research capacity building of our researchers to Science and Technology (NCRST) Board be able to produce knowledge, products of Commissioners and staff look forward (patents) and solutions, required to to working with the Ministry to contribute realise the implementation of national to the development of research, science, policies and solve social problems. technology and innovation (RSTI) for the attainment of our national development The NPRSTI, like the NCRST itself, should aspirations as provided for in Vision 2030 be seen as facilitators of knowledge and the Fourth National Development creation and dissemination with the Plan. purpose of transforming the political- economy and knowledge landscape of Equally, I express sincere appreciation the country towards becoming globally to the former Minister of Education, more competitive and socially more Hon Dr. David Namwandi under whose sustainable. It is also worth stating leadership the NCRST formally came that the NPRSTI and the Strategic Plan into existence. Although the vision is (2014/15 – 2016/17) of the NCRST, which far from being attained, I am happy that was already approved in 2013/14, are since its operationalisation in 2013, the mutually constitutive. NCRST has made considerable progress in establishing and strengthening of In an elegant summary of the NPRSTI, it our national system of innovation. The would be useful to say that the document, past two years of the NCRST‘s existence informed by its aims, identifies research were equally challenging as they were priority areas, based on a collaborative rewarding. process, a policy dialogue, comprising of important interests and knowledge that During the period under review the could conceivably address some of the NCRST facilitated the development of key social and economic challenges of the National Programme on Research, Namibia. 4 | NCRST 2014/15 ANNUAL REPORT In terms of its Strategic Plan, the technologies in order to harness long- NCRST strategic goals are: to further term and sustainable solutions, especially public awareness and understanding in areas of national importance. I on the importance of RSTI in respect of believe that the science, technology and targeting segments of the population innovation community has the capacity that will further RSTI progress most and willpower to find innovative meaningfully; to further stakeholders’ solutions to address challenges that we cooperation and alignment; to optimise face as a country. We do this not only RSTI progress within the delivery funnel; for ourselves, but also for the future of and to establish a relevant and desirable our children. I am optimistic that the operating environment underlying NCRST will succeed in establishing a legislative and statutory frameworks robust national science, technology and aligned and integrated towards optimal innovation system that works for all mobilisation of RSTI in Namibia. stakeholders. I would like to thank my fellow As a Board of Commissioners, we are Commissioners as well as the CEO, driving the implementation of the NCRST Dr. Eino Mvula and his team, for the Strategic Plan as well as the National unwavering support and the commitment Programme on Research, Science, to take the NCRST to greater heights. Technology and Innovation through Together we shall have no reason not which we inspire all stakeholders to to succeed in making the Commission make deliberate efforts and recognise an institution that many will envy, both their respective roles in the national locally and internationally. In this quest, science, technology and innovation as the poet T.S Eliot wrote: “We shall not system. Our resolve continues to create cease from exploration”. an environment in which we harness science, technology and innovation for improved competitiveness and economic growth. For Namibia to strengthen its efforts in accelerating its socio-economic Prof Andre du Pisani development, concerted effort would be required to be able to seize opportunities presented by the modern sciences and NCRST 2014/15 ANNUAL REPORT | 5 6 | NCRST 2014/15 ANNUAL REPORT NCRST 2014/15 ANNUAL REPORT | 7 REVIEW BY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER he National Commission a knowledge-based society. I wish to on Research, Science and highlight some of the efforts the NCRST Technology (NCRST) is proud has made during the year under review to present the Annual Report in addressing the STI related challenges Tof 2014/15. The Commission is making that we face as a country in line with progress in implementing its Strategic the strategic priorities as outlined in Plan. The year 2014/15 is the first year of the National Programme on Research, implementation of our five-year strategy Science, Technology and Innovation for which has been formulated to ensure a 2014/15 and 2016/17. holistic approach to all key areas of the NCRST’s mandate. Enabling a policy and regulatory environment The NCRST Strategy 2014/15 to 2018/19 Our work towards the consolidation of together with the National Programme policies and the regulatory framework on Research, Science, Technology and has begun with preparations to conduct Innovation (NPRSTI) for the period Namibia’s first ever research and 2014/15 and 2016/17 are the cornerstones development and innovation surveys. of science, technology and innovation The surveys, once completed, will development in Namibia. Our success support the development of evidence- in developing a responsive national based policy as well as constructive system of innovation will depend on how feedback to all stakeholders in research, well we address challenges related to an science, technology and innovation. outdated policy and legal framework, low investment in research and development; While the national research priorities the fragmentation of science, technology have been identified as outlined in and innovation (STI) activities; the the National Programme on Research, unavailability of a centralised information Science, Technology and Innovation for system on STI related activities such the period 2014/15 and 2016/17, the as research and development (R&D); financial resources required for funding and innovation indicators, inventory of research and innovation are not at the facilities, laboratories and instruments level where they should be, and the for research. resources are still below the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP4) Quoting from Lao Tsu, “the journey of targets. We will continue to engage all a thousand miles starts with one step”. stakeholders, particularly our policy Indeed the NCRST is taking the steps makers as part of our effort to mobilize towards the goal for Namibia to become the resources required. 8 | NCRST 2014/15 ANNUAL REPORT Building research capacities and under review, the NCRST conducted a technical skills three-day Journalism Training Workshop Building research capacities in terms on Science Reporting. The NCRST also of human capital development