Dr Alvaro Sobrinho: Business & Science in Africa
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Dr Alvaro Sobrinho , Chairman PEI Mind the gap: Business & science in Africa
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A brief overview of a programme launched in 2014 by the World Bank Africa and the Planet Earth Institute called the 'Africa Business Champions for Science'. A new group of 10 African Business Leaders will be selected to help design and deliver new and exciting programmes to better connect businesses working in Africa with scientific development on the continent. Helping research become industrially relevant and able to address Africa's needs, and to inspire future generations of African scientists to turn ideas and breakthroughs into patents, jobs and prosperity.
Transcript of Dr Alvaro Sobrinho: Business & Science in Africa
Dr Alvaro Sobrinho, Chairman PEI
Mind the gap:Business & science in Africa
PEI is an international NGO and charity passionate about science, technology and innovation in Africa
Three pathways
We believe will lead us to scientific independence
Creating new higher education and research Centres of Excellence in Africa
• CESSAF – Angola’s first major PhD Programme
• Newcastle, Agostinho Neto Universities & the Indian Institute of Technology
• ARCHES – new Centre for Public Health in Mozambique
• Universities of Glasgow & Eduardo Mondlane involved
Developing cutting-edge technology in and for Africa
• Incubating technologies that can drive scientific development in Africa
• Providing tailored programmes to exciting new innovations to help them become established
• Current projects include mobile learning at higher education level and in key industries
We publicly advocate science, technology and innovation to Governments around the world
• Expert scientific and policy workshops
• Large scale conferences and events
• Giving a platform to scientists from Africa and the Global South
Why are businesses in Africa still not properly investing in local STI programmes?
Business & Science
1. The skills gap
Three reasons
• 75% of CEOs say skills is the problem• Training a long-term issue v short-
term thinking of business
2. Under resourced scientific community
Three points for UNGA
• Universities not always equipped to partner with business
• Lack of key positions in Unis – e.g. partnership managers
3. Lack of policy incentives
Three reasons
• Policies not pushing international businesses to invest locally in skills
• New businesses and start-ups need to be linked to academics communities where possible - and young scientists need to know how to turn their ideas into businesses
New Africa Business Champions for Science Group
Champions group
Join initiative by the Planet Earth Institute and the World Bank Africa team
Dr Sobrinho, Chairman of the PEI & Makhar Diop, Vice-President of the World Bank for Africa, sign the agreement in 2014
New Africa Business Champions for Science Group
Champions group
• A new group of 10 African business leaders passionate about science and able to implement practical change in their organisations
Champions group
• Will help deliver ambitious programmes with the World Bank and ensure business is involved from start of new developments
Champions group
• Initial 10,000 PhD scholarship fund to be developed, with strong local industry focus
Champions group
• Future programmes related to business and STEM & investment be rolled outnationally in Africa
Champions group
• Business mentoring and coaching for local scientists also to be launched at later stages
Follow us online
Champions group
Further announcements in late 2014 and early 2015 – stay tuned!
[email protected] for more details
