Africa eyes science parks

EXPERTS and scientists from Asia, Europe and Africa met in Windhoek last week to discuss setting up centres of excellence, also called science and technology parks, on the African continent.

Such centres have propelled the developing economies of Asia, southern Europe and Latin America, creating jobs and knowledge-based societies. Governments had to create conducive environments for such parks in the form of policies, Education Minister Nangolo Mbumba told participants.”However, even if governments put all the necessary legislation and policies in place, if we lack the will to achieve something and have no work ethics, then all is in vain,” Mbumba said.”Namibia has in place a national policy for research, science and technology and an according law,” he noted.”We also plan the development of more policies pertaining to knowledge management and innovation.One crucial component of our National Innovation System will be a National Centre for Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Technology,” the Minister said.A science and technology park is a project, generally linked to a site, which maintains formal and operational relationships with universities, research centres and other higher education institutes.It is designed to promote the creation and growth of knowledge-based companies and other tertiary organisations of high added value, normally based in the park itself.The professional management of such a park or cluster of companies and institutes is to promote technology transfers and foster innovation among the companies and organisations that use the park.Attending the conference are Unesco, the Korean International Co-operation Agency (Koica), the World Technopolis Association and the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (IESCO).Governments had to create conducive environments for such parks in the form of policies, Education Minister Nangolo Mbumba told participants.”However, even if governments put all the necessary legislation and policies in place, if we lack the will to achieve something and have no work ethics, then all is in vain,” Mbumba said.”Namibia has in place a national policy for research, science and technology and an according law,” he noted.”We also plan the development of more policies pertaining to knowledge management and innovation.One crucial component of our National Innovation System will be a National Centre for Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Technology,” the Minister said.A science and technology park is a project, generally linked to a site, which maintains formal and operational relationships with universities, research centres and other higher education institutes.It is designed to promote the creation and growth of knowledge-based companies and other tertiary organisations of high added value, normally based in the park itself.The professional management of such a park or cluster of companies and institutes is to promote technology transfers and foster innovation among the companies and organisations that use the park.Attending the conference are Unesco, the Korean International Co-operation Agency (Koica), the World Technopolis Association and the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (IESCO).