polytechnic of namibia cart – presentation by m van der merwe centre for applied research and...

CART – Presentation by M van der Merwe

Polytechnic of Namibia

Centre for Centre for Applied Research and TechnologyApplied Research and Technology

Establishing the

Centre for Applied Research and Technology (CART)

at the




Background

The Polytechnic has made great strides in the past seven years Qualifications increased: 23 in 1996 to 60+ in 2002 Student numbers at rate exceeding 10% per annum Institution is enjoying increased public and private support Regarded as Namibia’s leading institution in applied science

and technology as key vehicle in human resources development and in moving the country towards achieving national long-term Vision 2030.

In the SADC region, the Polytechnic is now an institution of note



Background (cont)

Faculty and student involvement in applied research in cooperation with business and industry and communities has grown slowly but steadily.

This research resulted in enhanced productivity in business and industry and increased food production in rural communities.

These successes were coupled by increased pressure from beneficiaries and communities on the Polytechnic to enhance its research and consultation activities



Peter F Drucker:

“ The comparative advantage that now counts is the application of knowledge… This means that developing countries can no longer expect to base their development on low wages. They, too, must learn to base it on applying knowledge.”



Statement of Need

One of the aims of the government’s economic policy:“ Develop human resource capacities as well as physical and economic infrastructure, and through the combination, a national capacity to innovate, research, create more knowledge to reinforce our national development goals and development programs.”



CART meeting PON Mission

CART as a vehicle to meet the

Polytechnic’s higher education mission for applied research,

development of new knowledge,

stimulation of innovation and entrepreneurial spirit

and to foster enhanced productivity.



CART facilitates

The structure facilitates

faculty research and the use of educational, laboratory and technology resources

to create new knowledge and deeper understanding

for the Namibian professional and industrial communities



CART’s Purpose

While CART will harness research and advance knowledge within specific disciplines, specific emphasis will be given to the support of innovation and the creation of an enabling environment for Namibians and Non-Namibians to participate in research and economic development.



Creation of an Enabling Environment

The identification and utilization of resources

Initiating and developing research at feasibility and implementation stages of projects that were identified as viable to broaden the local industry base

Technology assistance with product adaptation, training, technical collaboration and implementation



CART Structure and Operation

The structure and operation of CART must take into consideration the unique characteristics of Namibia

It should recognize and utilize the current strengths of Namibia while at the same time address the current challenges of the country

However, CART must also be able to anticipate the emerging trends and opportunities



Need to Foster Cooperation Tertiary institutions capable of performing research:

PON and UNAM Teachers and Vocational college

(limited research capabilities) Namibian-controlled research centres

(including those attached to the ministries like MME and Fisheries)

Non-Namibian controlled institutes (such as those sponsored by the UN and other governments, and private foundations)

What is lacking is a mechanism for fostering cooperation between research organizations and focussing their work to meet the needs of Namibia



THE VISION

CART’s

internal vision is to

become the pre-eminent organisation

for Applied Research and Technology

in Namibia

in support of

the external vision to

change Namibia to a developed country



THE MISSION

The mission of CART is

to contribute

to the sustainable development

through the support

and promotion

of applied research and technology



THE OBJECTIVES

The functions of CART can be separated into those that deal with applied research and those that deal with the application of technology. In the area of applied research, the objective is to

strengthen the Namibian ability to adapt, optimize and develop new technology to meet the needs of Namibia.

In the area of application of technology, the objective is to strengthen the Namibian ability to implement, in a sustainable fashion, technological solutions for the people’s benefit.



CART – Service Provider

To achieve these objectives, CART will provide a service to the research community of Polytechnic and Namibia.



Services and Aims

Provide research facilities for the research community and constituents

Provide and seek seed funding for start-up of applied research projects

Seek nationally and internationally for new projects or product development opportunities

Provide training for researchers and constituents

Provide an infrastructure for the development of technology through applied research



Services and Aims (cont)

Provide guidance and technical advisory services for applied researchers and developers of new technology

Provide information on new development and research opportunities

Co-ordinate applied research and development of new technology projects, executed by Polytechnic researchers and other research constituents and or industry



Specific Aim #1:

Build the Internal Research Capacity of the PON



More About SA#1

Determine PON areas of expertise map against the focus areas of Namibia. For some of these focus areas PON has existing

capacity in expertise, while in others, PON currently lacks capacity.

The present capacity of PON lies in the fields of engineering, information technology, agriculture and nature conservation. Current applied research and development activities are thus predominantly in these fields

Build capacity in the areas where PON lacks Strengthen capacity in the areas of existing

expertise



Specific Aim #2:

Build the External Research Capacity through the Coordination / Promotion / Guiding of Research



More About SA#2

Building of a national, coordinated capacity. The coordination of applied research and

development of new technology projects performed by research constituents nationally and internationally

The promotion of cooperative applied research projects between PON and other research constituents.



The Research Constituents:

PON Researchers Industry The Namibian Government and Ministries Rural Stakeholders Other Tertiary Institutions Other Research Centres Sponsors



CART as Research Broker

CART will initially act as a research broker, scouting nationally and internationally for new projects or product development opportunities, provide information on new development and research opportunities seek and provide seed funding for start-up of applied research projects

In the execution of applied research, CART’s aim is to provide research facilities for the research community and

constituents, provide an infrastructure for the development of

technology through applied research, provide guidance and technical advisory services for

applied researchers and developers of new technology.



Specific Aim #3:

Provide Technological Support for Namibian Industry



More About SA#3

In the optimum implementation and adaptation of existing technology or the developing of new technology, CART’s aim is to provide technological research support as well as providing guidance and technical advisory services for developers of new technology and entrepreneurial businesses to do so.

Although CART will provide support and assistance to all sectors of the Namibian Industry, special emphasis will be given to SME’s in support of the broad based and sustainable development of Namibia



Activities for First Year

Establishing an infrastructure to organize, drive and coordinate applied research and development activities Set-up CART Office Establish Steering Committee



CART Office

The CART office will comprise a CART director to lead and drive the initiative as well as support personnel to assist the director. These support personnel will comprise

secretarial/administrative staff, database programming and management staff as well as marketing and PRO staff.

The director and secretarial/administrative staff appointments will be full time, where as the other could be part time or on a consultative basis.

The office will operate under the auspices of the Rector of Polytechnic.



Steering Committee

The director will establish a steering committee from the research constituents. This steering committee will strategically supervise CART and the establishment of capacity in specific focus areas



Activities for First Year (cont)

Identify Focus Areas Complete a capacity survey to identify Polytechnic

and other Namibian Institutions’ areas of expertise Conduct workshops, conferences and meetings with

stakeholders to identify focus areas of Namibia Map Polytechnic areas of expertise and Namibian

focus areas to identify gaps and decide on CART focus areas.

Identify areas in which contract researchers must to be sought



Activities for First Year (cont1)

Organise training and information sessions for Polytechnic researchers and other research constituents Identify training and information needs of

researchers Contract expertise to conduct training and

workshops to address the needs




Conduct a technology dissemination workshop Identify existing pilot areas of existing PON

expertise that can be extended to and implemented in the Namibian Industry

Conduct workshop to initiate extension services in these pilot areas.




Establishing a network of research constituents and sponsors for cooperation Identify research constituents and activities in and

outside Polytechnic Foster partnerships with other research and

development constituents Compile an active database with information on

activities, contact and areas for possible cooperation




Establishing a database for new opportunities of applied research and development Subscribe to research opportunities lists Hold meetings with research and development

constituents nationally and internationally to identify new opportunities

Compile an active database with information regarding these opportunities




Establishing a database of sponsors Execute a study of current and possible new

sponsors of research and development activities Establish contact and partnerships with these

sponsors Compile an active database with information

regarding these sponsors and the areas in which sponsorships are available

Foster partnerships with identified possible sponsors




Create an awareness of CART and its activities amongst stakeholders Compile and distribute information brochures Design and establish a CART website




Seek and find seed funding and award, according to procedures, funds to the first round of new projects Set-up procedures for the applying and awarding of

start-up funding to promising projects in defined focus areas

Give first round of awards




Establish and co-ordinate “peer-review” groups in identified focus areas Scout and develop peer-review communities in

identified focus areas of research and technology Develop database containing information on

researchers involved nationally and internationally in these focus areas

Co-ordinate “peer-review” and facilitate publication of research and development outcomes



Outcomes for The First Year

The CART office will be established A Steering committee will be selected and

established Information regards to research activities,

research constituents and sponsors of research and development activities will be established and available in database format to research constituents



Outcomes for The First Year (cont)

Partnerships and cooperation agreements will be established with other research constituents, other researchers, developers and sponsors

The research capacity of Polytechnic and other Namibian Institutions will be established through a survey

Focus areas of CART will be identified and published



Outcomes for The First Year (cont1)

Training workshops will be held to strengthen the capabilities of Polytechnic and Namibian researchers

Technology dissemination workshop to initiate extension services in pilot areas

A website, hosting information about CART and links to the various databases, will be running



Outcomes for The First Year (cont2)

A short list of new research and development opportunities will be published

The first round of funds for new projects will be awarded



Meanwhile

Interim Steering Committee The Rector, Dr Tjama Tjivikua The Vice-Rector, Dr Gert Günzel The Registrar, Mr. Cornelius Jafta Chairperson of R3E Board and Exec, Dr Roland

Lösch PIR Director, Ms Neavera Olivier CART Project Leader, Ms Margaret van der Merwe



Interim Action Plan

Budget Compile a detailed budget Get budget approval and allocation

Director and administrator Defining of profiles Advertising Appointing



Interim Action Plan (cont)

CART information material PowerPoint presentation Detailed document Brochure

CART Information sessions Senate During recess BOS’s

CART office facilities



Conclusion

CART’s main purpose is to enhance development in Namibia through the implementation of technology supported by applied research in order to ensure sustainability.

The success of CART will primarily depend on the commitment from PON management, the participation of staff as well as the leadership of its director

During the first year of CART, an extensive strategic plan needs to be developed



Finally: What can CART do for you?

Making it easier to concentrate your efforts on research and development

How? Making it easier to get involved in research Assistance to execute “auxiliary” activities around

research, i.e. reporting, publication, “peer-review”, quality assurance, etc.

Making it easier to find funds Co-ordinate and focus research activities



What can you do for CART?

GET INVOLVED

COMMENTS AND INPUTS

SHARE

ASK FOR ASSISTANCE WHEN NEEDED



Thank You, Questions?

polytechnic of namibia cart – presentation by m van der merwe centre for applied research and...

Documents

polytechnic of namibia

technology cart

applied research

faculty research

merwe centre

merwe creation

development of new knowledge

economic development