Polytechnic of Namibia CART – Presentation by M van der Merwe Centre for Applied Research and...
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Transcript of 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
Polytechnic of Namibia
CART – Presentation by M van der Merwe
Polytechnic of Namibia
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
CART – Presentation by M van der Merwe
Polytechnic of Namibia
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
CART – Presentation by M van der Merwe
Polytechnic of Namibia
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.”
CART – Presentation by M van der Merwe
Polytechnic of Namibia
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 – Presentation by M van der Merwe
Polytechnic of Namibia
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 – Presentation by M van der Merwe
Polytechnic of Namibia
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 – Presentation by M van der Merwe
Polytechnic of Namibia
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.
CART – Presentation by M van der Merwe
Polytechnic of Namibia
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 – Presentation by M van der Merwe
Polytechnic of Namibia
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
CART – Presentation by M van der Merwe
Polytechnic of Namibia
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
CART – Presentation by M van der Merwe
Polytechnic 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
CART – Presentation by M van der Merwe
Polytechnic of Namibia
THE MISSION
The mission of CART is
to contribute
to the sustainable development
through the support
and promotion
of applied research and technology
CART – Presentation by M van der Merwe
Polytechnic of Namibia
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 – Presentation by M van der Merwe
Polytechnic of Namibia
CART – Service Provider
To achieve these objectives, CART will provide a service to the research community of Polytechnic and Namibia.
CART – Presentation by M van der Merwe
Polytechnic of 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
CART – Presentation by M van der Merwe
Polytechnic of Namibia
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
CART – Presentation by M van der Merwe
Polytechnic of Namibia
Specific Aim #1:
Build the Internal Research Capacity of the PON
CART – Presentation by M van der Merwe
Polytechnic of Namibia
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
CART – Presentation by M van der Merwe
Polytechnic of Namibia
Specific Aim #2:
Build the External Research Capacity through the Coordination / Promotion / Guiding of Research
CART – Presentation by M van der Merwe
Polytechnic of Namibia
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.
CART – Presentation by M van der Merwe
Polytechnic of Namibia
The Research Constituents:
PON Researchers Industry The Namibian Government and Ministries Rural Stakeholders Other Tertiary Institutions Other Research Centres Sponsors
CART – Presentation by M van der Merwe
Polytechnic of Namibia
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.
CART – Presentation by M van der Merwe
Polytechnic of Namibia
Specific Aim #3:
Provide Technological Support for Namibian Industry
CART – Presentation by M van der Merwe
Polytechnic of Namibia
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
CART – Presentation by M van der Merwe
Polytechnic 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 – Presentation by M van der Merwe
Polytechnic of Namibia
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.
CART – Presentation by M van der Merwe
Polytechnic of Namibia
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
CART – Presentation by M van der Merwe
Polytechnic of Namibia
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
CART – Presentation by M van der Merwe
Polytechnic of Namibia
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
CART – Presentation by M van der Merwe
Polytechnic of Namibia
Activities for First Year (cont2)
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.
CART – Presentation by M van der Merwe
Polytechnic of Namibia
Activities for First Year (cont3)
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
CART – Presentation by M van der Merwe
Polytechnic of Namibia
Activities for First Year (cont4)
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
CART – Presentation by M van der Merwe
Polytechnic of Namibia
Activities for First Year (cont5)
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
CART – Presentation by M van der Merwe
Polytechnic of Namibia
Activities for First Year (cont6)
Create an awareness of CART and its activities amongst stakeholders Compile and distribute information brochures Design and establish a CART website
CART – Presentation by M van der Merwe
Polytechnic of Namibia
Activities for First Year (cont7)
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
CART – Presentation by M van der Merwe
Polytechnic of Namibia
Activities for First Year (cont8)
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
CART – Presentation by M van der Merwe
Polytechnic of Namibia
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
CART – Presentation by M van der Merwe
Polytechnic of Namibia
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
CART – Presentation by M van der Merwe
Polytechnic of Namibia
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
CART – Presentation by M van der Merwe
Polytechnic of Namibia
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
CART – Presentation by M van der Merwe
Polytechnic of Namibia
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
CART – Presentation by M van der Merwe
Polytechnic of Namibia
Interim Action Plan
Budget Compile a detailed budget Get budget approval and allocation
Director and administrator Defining of profiles Advertising Appointing
CART – Presentation by M van der Merwe
Polytechnic of Namibia
Interim Action Plan (cont)
CART information material PowerPoint presentation Detailed document Brochure
CART Information sessions Senate During recess BOS’s
CART office facilities
CART – Presentation by M van der Merwe
Polytechnic of Namibia
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
CART – Presentation by M van der Merwe
Polytechnic of Namibia
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
CART – Presentation by M van der Merwe
Polytechnic of Namibia
What can you do for CART?
GET INVOLVED
COMMENTS AND INPUTS
SHARE
ASK FOR ASSISTANCE WHEN NEEDED
CART – Presentation by M van der Merwe
Polytechnic of Namibia
Thank You, Questions?