1 Fostering Excellence Through Knowledge and Innovation ¡
Outline 2 Departmental Structure 1. Departmental Objectives 2. Envisaged National Infrastructure (RSTI Valley) 3. Biosafety and Biotechnology 4. Innovation and Industrial Research 5. Natural Science 6. Summary 7.
Structure 3 GM Secretary Biotechnology & Natural Science Innovation & Biosafety Research Industrial Research 1xSenior Scientist 2xSenior Technologists 1xSenior Scientist 1xSenior Inspector 1XTechnologist
Departmental Objectives 4 ¨ To develop a national strategy for RSTI infrastructure ensuring stakeholder’s access; ¨ To facilitate the coordination of Bilateral and Multilateral Agreements/MoUs on RSTI delivery funnel; ¨ To coordinate Biosafety and Biotechnology programmes and projects; ¨ To create and manage linkages that promote innovation and industrial research, innovations spin-offs, value addition & Tech Transfer; ¨ To coordinate natural sciences research (space science , IKS, fundamental research, blue economy and global projects);
Envisaged National RSTI Infrastructure 5 Research & Developm ent Facility Emerging/ Future Space Science Centre RSTI infrastructure RSTI Valley Nuclear Science Research Demonstra Centre tion (MoHSS) Centre Innovation Hub
National Strategy for RSTI infrastructure 6 ¨ Limited National infrastructure for RSTI. In order to achieve her ambitious goals espoused in V2030, NDP4 and other frameworks, Namibia needs to significantly increase efforts in research, development and innovative activities. ¨ Development of a national strategy RSTI infrastructure that would allow access to RSTI is required ¨ Expert to assist the department with this task already identified ¨ First stakeholders workshop scheduled for the end of May 2015
Facilitate the coordination of Bilateral and Multilateral Agreements/MoUs on RSTI delivery funnel 7 Argentina Botswana Zambia Zimbabwe Mozambique South Africa • Agricultural • Exchange of • promotion of • Developm • Scientific • Biosciences & Technologies scientific and public ent of Research & Biotechnology • Marine Sciences technological understanding Innovation Innovation & Fisheries personnel and of STI • Technology platforms development • Industry Mining equipment • Joint Innovation ( SAIS) and and Geology • Joint scientific cooperation • Space science & • Environmental application • Biotechnol symposia, on technology sustainability workshops and ogy • Science, innovation(SA • Biotechnology • ICT R&D & conferences Technology IS) • Joint • Science parks infrastructure • Joint R&D and • Exchanges scientific and incubators • Nuclear Energy projects Innovation programmes symposia, • ICT for scientists • Scientific Policy • Joint research program conference • National parks and cooperation development and protected • IKS • ICT researchers between R&D areas and review • Science & Technology • Science institutions • Science & • Emerging Indicators Research Technology technologies & Indicators including Innovation biotechnolog developme y, ICT & nt and nanotechnolo application gy s • IKS
Overview 9 ¨ Innovation Hub ¨ Innovation Indicators survey ¨ Platform for Stakeholders Linkage creation (Technology Transfer, Innovation day) ¨ Pearl Millet (Mahangu) Project ¨ National Innovation Strategy
Establishment of Innovation Hub 10 ¨ Purpose to provide state-of-the art Innovation facilities ¨ Support Innovators, Entrepreneurs and Start ups from knowledge intensive sectors ¨ Attract R & D activities within the hub and increase the wealth of its community, by promoting the culture of innovation and competitiveness ¨ Create a synergistic environment where innovators and academia can share learning, create working partnerships and do business together. ¨ Consultation with stakeholders on plan;
Innovation Indicators Survey 11 ¨ Aimed at producing comparable data; ¨ Survey Instrument developed (questionnaire); ¨ Stakeholders mapping exercise concluded; ¨ Stakeholders Database ¨ Survey to be carried out on business/ firms only ¨ Data collection and data analysis ¨ Innovation Indicators Report
Innovation Indicators…. 12 ¨ Product Innovation ¨ Process Innovation ¨ Innovation activities and expenditure ¨ Sources of information for innovation activities ¨ Factors hampering innovation ¨ Intellectual Property Rights
Platform for Creating Stakeholder Linkages 13 ¨ Technology Transfers /Adaptation ¤ Aimed at supporting technological application; ¤ Concept document nearing completion; ¨ Innovation Day Hosting ¤ Provide a platform for innovators and experts persons/ institutions with relevant information ¨ Co – Hosting Innovation Workshop with Stakeholder e.g. Demola next week (13 -14 April 2015) ¨ SADC SARIM Project coordination
Pearl Millet (Mahangu) Project 14 ¨ Located in COSDEC Ondangwa, Olute Food is producing mahangu flour ¨ Drive innovation around new Pearl Millet (Mahangu) Products ¨ Plans to produce further post harvest products e.g. mahangu snacks and breakfast cereal, further research and development needed for the two products ¨ MoU Between NCRST and COSDEF concluded in Feb 2015 ¨ Implementation Plan to be developed ¨ Business Plan development underway
National Innovation Strategy 15 ¨ A multi disciplinary and Multi stakeholder approach will be used ¨ Provide a synopsis on the national innovation system ¨ This initiative that will provide directions (policies and mechanisms) that improve Namibia’s ability to draw on local R&D efforts as well as global knowledge ¨ This strategy is planned to consider policies that deals with trade, foreign investment, technology transfer, local R&D, human Capital and education in general
Overview 17 ¨ Objectives: ¤ Establish and implement national Biosafety framework ¤ Coordinate national Biotechnology programmes and projects ¨ Biosafety Legislation and Framework ¨ National Biotechnology Strategy
Biosafety Legislation 18 ¨ Namibia ratified the Cartagena Protocol in 2005 ¤ International agreement which aims to ensure the safe handling, transport and use of living modified organisms (LMOs) ¨ Promulgated Biosafety Act, 2006 (Act no 7 of 2006) ¤ provide for measures to regulate activities involving the research, development, production, marketing, transport, application and other uses of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and specified products derived from GMOs ¤ establishes a Biosafety Council (section 5) ¨ NCRST is the Competent Authority to administer Biosafety Act as per section 19 of the RST Act (Act no 23 of 2004)
The Biosafety Council 19 ¨ Seven member Biosafety Council constituted in September 2014 ¨ Functions: ¤ Consider permit applications & recommend to Minister responsible for S & T; ¤ Development of national policies on biotechnology & biosafety; ¤ Issue technical & procedural guidelines; ¤ Provide information & advice on GMOs ; ¤ Encourage public participation in decision-making; ¤ Keep abreast of international GMO regulation ; ¤ Advice to Minister and provide information on GMOs; ¤ National focal point of Cartagena Protocol
Biosafety Regulations 20 ¨ Draft Regulations to the Biosafety Act: ¤ Environmental Release of GMOs ¤ Contained Use of GMOs ¤ Import and marketing of GMOs for Food, Feed and Processing ¨ 1 st Draft presented to stakeholders on 18-19 September ¨ 2 nd Draft presented to stakeholders & public on 3 November ¨ Regulations undergoing final review before submission to the Minister
Biosafety Secretariat Testing Facility 21 ¨ The NCRST established the Biosafety secretariat and inspectorate– responsible for administering the Biosafety framework ¨ Plans to establish research, testing and training laboratory for testing of GMOs ¨ Currently GMO tests are being outsourced to a private South African Lab ¤ ISO/IEC 17025 accredited ¤ Service provider for South African Biosafety Authority (DAFF)
Implementation of Biosafety Framework 22 Biosafety Act (2006) Minister Biosafety Regulations Biosafety Council Contained GMOs used in Environmental Use of GMOs Food & Feed release (planting) of GMOs Administrative Procedures & Secretariat Inspectorate Guidelines Laboratory
Biotechnology 23 ¨ Body of techniques that uses biological systems, living organisms, or derivatives thereof to make or modify products or processes for specific use ¨ Includes technologies such as tissue culture, DNA-based molecular markers, monoclonal antibody techniques, recombinant DNA (genetic engineering) techniques ¨ Biotechnology has made profound impact in the fields of health, food, agriculture and environmental protection
National Biotechnology Strategy 24 ¨ Map out Namibia’s plan towards industrialiasation of Biosciences ¨ Provide mechanisms for taking science from the lab to the market ¨ Consultative approach with all interested and affected stakeholders ¨ Draw on local and international expertise to promote bio-prospecting, bio-innovation and bio-entrepreneurship
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