STI IN JAMAICA

1. STI IN JAMAICA Donald A. S. Miller National Commission on Science and Technology (NCST) UNESCO Grenada, February 1-3, 2011

2. 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 – Overview of a Caribbean Island

3. JAMAICA - Snapshots

4. OVERVIEW • Introduction • Historical Perspective • S&T Infrastructure • The National Commission on Science and Technology • STI • Inhibitors to Progression • Knowledge from UNESCO GRENADA

5. A LOOK AT THE NCST • 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

6. Jamaica’s S&T Infrastructure Advisor’s Office PrimeMinister National S&T Commission Public Sector Organizations Research & Development Standards, Education, Agriculture, Energy, Environment , Minerals, Water, Marine, Government Ministries, Information Systems, Professional associations, Sciences centres Universities National S&T Foundation R&D Faculties Applied Institutions (Science Parks) Technology Investment Fund Private Sector Manufacturing, Processing, Industries, Services, Trade, Testing Foreign Investments & Technology Transfer Licensing Agreements

7. 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 Strategic Objectives of the NCST

8. 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

9. 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

10. S&T CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT Policy and Planning Science and Technology Biotechnology S&T Education Strategic Plan 2005-2010 S&T Indicators – human, expenditure etc??? - Contribution to the Economic and Social Survey Jamaica (ESSJ)

11. STI Information from the ESSJ • Mobile penetration • STI Financing • Capturing broad expenditure on STI, not R&D only • Patents • ICT – ABM, International ICT Indices • S&T Publications • Standards

12. STI Information from the ESSJ (2009) • Policy trends for STI • Global Trends in STI for Analysis • Annual Local R&D Analysis • Teledensity - Mobile, Fixed • Internet – Broadband penetration • Indication indicators (GSAT and CSEC Low levels of Math and Science passes)

13. STI Information from the ESSJ CXC 2009

14. 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

15. HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT - INCENTIVES National Medal for Science and Technology NFDST’s Trophy for Schools Competition Tax Incentive Scheme

16. 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

17. 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 – Public Understanding of S&T

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

19. 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 Collaboration

20. 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

21. 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

22. SUMMARY STI Human Expenditure ESSJ PROBLEMS Lack of Trust /Confidentiality Difficulty in obtaining data Changes in Political Directorate… UNESCO Grenada, February 1-3, 2010

23. NUTT-TINSNovelty Understanding Testing and Training resulting from Technology Innovation and ScienceNUTTTINS + Decision Making = $OMETHINGThe value of Nutt-tins is never equal to zero. Its application will always be a positive influence in the advancement of STI.

24. THANK YOU Donald A. S. Miller National Commission on Science and Technology Office of the Prime Minister 1 Devon Road, Kingston 10, Jamaica Tel: 876 946.4448-9 Fax: 876 960 8407 Email: dasmiller@hotmail.com website:www.ncst.gov.jm