STI IN JAMAICA

Donald A. S. Miller National Commission

on Science and Technology

(NCST)

UNESCO Grenada, February 1-3, 2011 1

JAMAICA – Overview of a Caribbean Island LOCATION – Latitude 17

1/2o and 18 1/20 north; Longitude 76 1/20 and 78 ½ 0 west

AREA of 11,424 sq. km. POPULATION – 2.9m and

multi-racial “Out of Many, One People”

Major areas of ECONOMY – Tourism, Agriculture, Mining (Bauxite), Manufacturing

Official LANGUAGE – English

Major Asset – It’s People

JAMAICA - Snapshots

Introduction Historical Perspective S&T Infrastructure The National Commission on Science

and Technology STI Inhibitors to Progression Knowledge from UNESCO GRENADA

OVERVIEW

Established in 1993 Umbrella, broad-based, cross-sectorial organization

responsible for fostering and advancing the national policy and strategy for science and technology in Jamaica.

Facilitates and provides guidance on government programmes/ projects and facilitates private sector projects relating to S&T.

Chaired by the Honourable Prime Minister with Vice Chair the Minister with responsibility for S&T

Members drawn from academia, public and private sectors and non-governmental organizations

A LOOK AT THE NCST

Private SectorManufacturing, Processing,

Industries, Services, Trade, Testing

Jamaica’s S&T InfrastructurePrime Minister

National S&TCommission Universities

R&D FacultiesApplied Institutions

(Science Parks)

Public Sector Organizations

Research & DevelopmentStandards, Education,Agriculture, Energy,

Environment , Minerals, Water, Marine, Government Ministries,

Information Systems, Professional associations,

Sciences centresTechnology InvestmentFund

National S&TFoundation

Advisor’s Office

Foreign Investments & Technology Transfer

Licensing Agreements

Strategic Objectives of the NCST

Utilization of S&T for Competitive and Profitable Businesses

Make S&T Efforts for National Development More Efficient, Impactful and Environmentally Sustainable

Local S&T Competence and Capability Ensure that the Population Understands the

Importance of S&T Broadly disseminate knowledge and Information

on S&T

The Role of the NCST Guides, monitors and manages the

development and application of science and technology

Provides advice to the Government on S&T issues, national policy and facilitates implementation

Catalyses and galvanises actions in areas of importance to national development

Supports the development of local S&T capability

Fosters collaboration

Role of the NCST … Identifies and develops mechanisms for

funding S&T activities and provides financial assistance accordingly

Creates linkages between users and suppliers of S&T for increased production and productivity

Fosters development of human resources Promotes public awareness of S&T and its

application to national development

S&T CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT

Policy and PlanningScience and TechnologyBiotechnologyS&T EducationStrategic Plan 2005-2010S&T Indicators – human, expenditure etc??? - Contribution to the Economic and Social Survey Jamaica (ESSJ)

STI Information from the ESSJ

Mobile penetrationSTI FinancingCapturing broad expenditure on STI, not

R&D onlyPatents ICT – ABM, International ICT Indices S&T Publications Standards

STI Information from the ESSJ (2009)Policy trends for STIGlobal Trends in STI for AnalysisAnnual Local R&D AnalysisTeledensity - Mobile, Fixed Internet – Broadband penetration Indication indicators (GSAT and CSEC

Low levels of Math and Science passes)

STI Information from the ESSJ CXC 2009

2006 2007 2008 2009Biology 73.1 73.7 77.8 77.9Chemistry 60.3 60.9 65.9 76.3IT 56.9 74.8 78.3 86.4Mathematics 31.6 29.6 37.2 36.1Physics 50.7 47.8 77.7 74.6

FIGURE C: PERFORMANCE OF JAMAICAN CANDIDATES IN SELECTED SCIENCE SUBJECTS IN THE CXC/CSEC MAY-JUNE EXAMINATIONS, 2006-2009

HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT

Training – students, teachers, researchers, engineers

Information sharing Professional Associations Employment of S&T graduates Attraction to S&T professions – mentorship,

internship/attachment Professional Associations – ASTJ, JSST,

JYSF

HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT - INCENTIVES National Medal for

Science and Technology

NFDST’s Trophy for Schools Competition

Tax Incentive Scheme

S&T CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT -Information And Knowledge Systems

Websites – NCST and Children’s site being developed

Profiles of S&T Institutions- inventory of mandate, programmes and projects

S&T CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT – Public Understanding of S&T

National Public Education Programme

Biosafety, Biosafety Clearing House

Exhibitions, public fora, conferences, media (electronic, print)

Publications – annual reports etc.

Presentations – groups etc

S&T CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT - Sponsorships Training Competitions Visits, Meetings Workshops Policy and Planning Research Projects

Collaboration

Local Committees Private Sector Liaison S&T Institutions

International Partnerships – RICYT

UNESCO, OAS

S&T missions/visits Conferences,

workshops etc. Collaborative

research Projects- Caribbean

Welcome Jamaican- Caribbean

Diaspora

SOME CHALLENGES Small and Understaffed Secretariat Lack of Adequate Financial Resources Lack of S&T Culture Integration & Coordination of S&T not

Embraced Jamaica as an adopter of Technologies

SOME CHALLENGES cont… Lack of Effective Partnership between the

Providers and Users of S&T Knowledge National Strategic Focus for Growth and

Development National Social Concerns and Confidentiality Globalization and Knowledge-based

Economy Changes in Political Directorate and the long

term goals

UNESCO Grenada, February 1-3, 2010

SUMMARY STI Human Expenditure ESSJ

PROBLEMS Lack of Trust /Confidentiality Difficulty in obtaining data Changes in Political Directorate…

22

NUTT-TINSNovelty Understanding Testing and Training resulting from Technology Innovation and Science

NUTTTINS + Decision Making = $OMETHING

The value of Nutt-tins is never equal to zero. Its application will always be a positive influence in the advancement of STI.

THANK YOUDonald A. S. MillerNational Commission on Science and

TechnologyOffice of the Prime Minister1 Devon Road, Kingston 10, JamaicaTel: 876 946.4448-9 Fax: 876 960 8407Email: dasmiller@hotmail.com

website:www.ncst.gov.jm