SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION POLICY MANAGEMENT:

EXPERIENCE FROM OTHER LANDS

byMusbau A. AKANJI

Department of Biochemistry

and

Haas J. AKANBI, Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics

Outline of PresentationIntroductionNigerian Education PolicyScience and Technology Policy of NigeriaAttempts at DevelopmentExperience from other LandsWhat can be done University of Ilorin can and should make a difference

IntroductionWhen Nigeria was ‘born’ in 1917, it suffered two handicaps:

the birth was mid-wived and the baby fostered by Britain.

since independence, Nigeria has been ruled in succession by leaders who are not interested in its long- term development

“There are few instances in British Colonial history where the future of the educated native has been consciously determined, or the educational system deliberately adjusted to fit him for it” Lord Hadley (1939) in “An African Survey”

Nigeria Educational PolicyWithin 50years of independence, the nationalpolicy on education had transited through 7: 5: 2: 3 6: 5: 2: 3 6: 6: 4 6: 3: 3: 4 9: 3: 4. In fact the idea of 9: 3: 2: 3 is now being

debated

Place of Technology in Nigeria’s Educational System

Yaba Higher College established in 1934 to train Technicians for PWD

University College, Ibadan established in 1948 without Courses in Engineering and Material Science

Major Courses at Ibadan were Humanities.

Medicine included to optimize gains from Yaba and Zaria (Kano) Higher Colleges where Medical Technician were being trained to service 2nd World War

Engineering Courses introduced with the coming of Regional Universities after Independence

NATIONAL POLICY ON SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

1st Published in October 1986Reviewed in April -1996

.

Some attempts at Industrialization without STI Policy

The NIFOR Oil Palm ExperienceThe Defense Industry CorporationThe Nigerian Steel IndustryThe Oshogbo Machine Tools IndustryVehicle Assembly PlantsThe Nigerian Petroleum Refineries

Strengthening Capacities in Science

Policy and Management in Nigeria

What is happening in other

countries?

R&D-expenditures

R&D-expenditures

Technologic-al revenues

The beginnings

A tip to the President...

1939: Albert Einstein writes to FD Roosevelt

Launch of the Manhattan Project

(development of the atom bomb).

The largest S&T project ever

Mobilisation of Science & Technology for war

The beginnings (cont.)

In the US, the UK, Canada

Development of: radar

penicillin,

aircraft,

missiles

explosives

After second world war, professors in USA, UKand Canada went back to their ivory tower, like in the rest of the world:• Researchers are independent• Research topics to be chosen by themselves• Contact with industry is not necessary, may even be harmful.

This had to be changed ……………………..How?

Start ofScience and Technology Policy and Management,

post-war

Universities

IndustryPublic

Regional authoritiesNationalGovernment

Everybody needs to be involved

Government financial support

European Union (EU)

Mission: To become the most competitive and dynamic

knowledge-based economy in the world

R&D contribution of 50 – 56% to economic growth.

Investment: Target of 3% of GDP on R&D.

China

Mission: R&D contribution of 60 % of economic growth

Investment: From 1.3% to 2.5% of GDP on R&D by 2020

Tanzania

Mission R&D contribution of 20% of economic growth

Investment: 1% of GDP on R&D

Albania 0.6% of GDP on R&D

Choice of research topics

Choose a topic that is familiar and

obvious relevant for the citizens

In a democracy, support of the citizens is essential

The polar bear in Nigeria?Not really

In Nigeria:Traditional MedicineMalariaSolar energy

Choose a research topic that is

familiar and obvious relevant

Science need to be embedded in the civil society

Open university laboratories for public

Science museum

Science in newspapers, magazines

and television

In a democracy, support of the citizens is essential

Knowledge transfer from the universities to the local market

Engaging students into knowledge transfer: Problem-based learning in

Aalborg, DKIn Aalborg University, Denmark,

50% is problem-oriented project work: Students work in teams to solve problems identified in co-operation with firms, public organisations and other institutions.

At any one time there are 2000-3000 ongoing projects that ensure the university’s engagement with the surrounding society.

Map credits: Google Maps™Images credits: Aalborg Uni

Creating a one-stop-shop for industry: Knowledge House, NE of England,UK

A one-stop-shop offers expert solutions for developing ideas and solving problems through collaboration, consultancy, training and R&D.

In 2007 , it generated GBP 4.7 million by delivering 364 completed projects from over 800 business enquiries.

Map credits: Google Maps™Images credits: Knowledge House, Durham

University, University of Teesside

People-based knowledge transfer:Knowledge Transfer Partnerships KTPs, UK

A university post-graduate works in the company for 1-3 years. Under university supervision

Funding comes from the companies and public organisations.

In 2008-09 there were 977 active projects: over 6 500 staff were trained, 1 119 new jobs created A profit increase of GBP 126 million.

Images credits: Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, Technology Strategy Board, Solutions for Business

Free employer-specific training: Georgia Quick Start, US

Quickstart is part of the Technical College System of Georgia.

It has centralised staff and resources to develop and deploy customised training anywhere in the state.

By early 2010, QS has conducted 6 000 projects involving 780 000 trainees. The basic budget is USD 22 million a year.

Images credits: QuickStart

Universities should improve themselves bycollaborative action into:

Institutes of excellence

Institutes of excellenceclusters of departments/universities

on specific topics

How to get money out of university inventions?

From expenditure to revenue of R&D

SME/foundation (started 1999)

Originated from Biochemistry, University of Groningen,The Netherlands. Received big subsidy from government

Mission: To bring university ideas to the marketTo be self-supporting

Result 2010: 2 spin-out SME’s

Experience:Very interesting way of working BUTOnly university researchers is not enoughYou need managers, marketing people, patent experts

Therefore, larger organization is required.

• Pre-incubation and business incubation and grow on space

The science park model - three zones

www.surrey-research-park.com

• Medium sized research facilities

• Large research centres and HQ

Global distribution of science parks

Albania

Focus/ make choices

AlbaniaVision: Achieve excellence in a small number

of priority areas by 2015.

Strategic goals:

1.Triple public spending on R&D to 0.6% of GDP

2.Add foreign sources to 40% of research spending

3.Create 4-5 Albanian centers of excellence

4.Doubling of number of researchers, both through

“brain gain” and training new ones.

5. Stimulation of innovation in 100 companies, via

direct investment, consortia with universities or foreign

partners.

Design & planningDesign & planning

Realization of vision 2020 & beyondIn Nigeria

Nigeria

What can be done Policy formulation can be achieved relatively easily

Major problem is lack of long- term plan implementation

Deliberate management of Policy to transit Regimes

Involvement of Major Stakeholder: Citizens (from Primary Schools upwards) Government at all levels Bureaucracy Parliament

Unilorin antecedents

Following its Strategic Plan in its growth & Development

Establishment of Plantations (which are not Regime limited)

Establishment of Biomedical Engineering Group

Proposals

Compile list of persons across Faculties interested in STI Policy & its Management

Form a Group to be further trained

Propose and mount Courses ( 1 or 2) at Undergraduate level (initially for students in Science & Applied Sciences)

Design and offer Postgraduate Courses in STI Policy Management (at Certificate, Diploma, Master and Doctoral levels)

Thank you for listening

UNESCO