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Centre for Applied Research and Technology

Centre for Applied Research and Technology. Establishing the Centre for Applied Research and Technology ( CART ) at the Polytechnic of Namibia. Background. The Polytechnic has made great strides in the past seven years Qualifications increased: 23 in 1996 to 60+ in 2002

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Centre for Applied Research and Technology

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  1. Centre for Applied Research and Technology Establishing the Centre for Applied Research and Technology (CART) at the Polytechnic of Namibia CART – Presentation by M van der Merwe

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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 entrepreneurialspirit and to foster enhanced productivity. CART – Presentation by M van der Merwe

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. Creation of an Enabling Environment • The identificationand 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 assistancewith product adaptation, training, technical collaboration and implementation CART – Presentation by M van der Merwe

  10. 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

  11. 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

  12. 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

  13. 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

  14. 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

  15. 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

  16. 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

  17. 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

  18. Specific Aim #1: Build the Internal Research Capacity of the PON CART – Presentation by M van der Merwe

  19. 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

  20. Specific Aim #2: Build the External Research Capacity through the Coordination / Promotion / Guiding of Research CART – Presentation by M van der Merwe

  21. 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

  22. 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

  23. 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

  24. Specific Aim #3: Provide Technological Support for Namibian Industry CART – Presentation by M van der Merwe

  25. 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

  26. 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

  27. 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

  28. 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

  29. 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

  30. 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

  31. 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

  32. 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

  33. 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

  34. 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

  35. 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

  36. 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

  37. 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

  38. 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

  39. 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

  40. 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

  41. 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

  42. 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

  43. 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

  44. 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

  45. 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

  46. 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

  47. What can you do for CART? • GET INVOLVED • COMMENTS AND INPUTS • SHARE • ASK FOR ASSISTANCE WHEN NEEDED CART – Presentation by M van der Merwe

  48. Thank You, Questions? CART – Presentation by M van der Merwe

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