SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY: VIEWS OF THE ZAMBIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES Kavwanga Yambayamba, BSc, MSc, PhD, FZaAS PRESIDENT - ZAMBIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 19-21 October 2016

THE ACADEMY Established in 2005 under the Societies Act Cap 119 of the Laws of Zambia. To provide an independent and objective advice to Government and the public. To publish booklets with specific messages to policy makers

ZaAS is a member of the following: Network of African Science Academies (NASAC) International Council for Science (ICSU) Inter-Academy Partnership (IAP), the global science academy (Applied)

MEMBERSHIP 37 members, of whom 18 are Fellows. Out of the 18 Fellows, 12 are Professors. Total No. of PhD holders: 26

PERSPECTIVE ON NATIONAL STI POLICY LANDSCAPE: THE NEED FOR ENHANCED R&D INVESTMENT PERCEPTIONS ABOUT THE CURRENT (1996) S&T POLICY Positive: Acknowledges that Government has realized that a sustainable social-economic development can only be achieved through a strong, well co-ordinated and monitored Science & Technology system.

However,… Does not provide for establishment of a national Academy of Science & Technology to give that independent voice to enable science and technology be the vehicle for development. Although the funding mechanism to science and technology is mentioned, it is shy about it! It talks about contributions from major public and private enterprises in form of predetermined levy on gross income/turnover or profit.

This is ambiguous; what is meant by “major”? What about SMEs? What about Individuals? Policy talks about introducing tax breaks and incentives for spending money on R&D and commercialization. However, it does not specify what sort of tax breaks and incentives.

The policy objective and strategies are written in a subtle manner: They do not give specific direction. Objectives and Measures under each specific heading are written in a manner that does not give a punch to go beyond the policy itself. It just remains a policy without any commitment.

The outlined research in specific areas (industrial, engineering, agriculture, health/medical, social cultural, information technology) does not challenge the scientists to innovate and come up with new technologies. Does not provide for the enactment of the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Act, thus discouraging the scientists to innovate.

Functions of the Research Institutes and Technology Business Centre (TBC) not very clear (they are too loose). This may explain why these institutions have not done so well, and the general public wonders if we have any scientists at all.

MAJOR MILESTONES ACHIEVED BY THE POLICY Enactment of the Science and Technology Act of 1997. Establishment of the Ministry responsible for science and technology. Separation of advice, formulation, coordination and direction roles from physical laboratories to create NSTC, NISIR, TBC and Research Institutes for industrial, agriculture, technology development, and medical research.

4) Recognition of the following: Need for R&D as a vehicle for national development. Need for gender balance and curricular change to involve school pupils. That there is a scientific community in Zambia that can contribute to social economic development.

Proposed Improvements and Way Forward The policy should give clear guidelines on how to develop S&T; it should not be shy. Recreate a stand-alone Ministry responsible for science and technology. Mobilization of research funds through the already proposed Science & Technology Development Fund. The Fund must not be politicized. This is the body to disburse research funds to researchers.

Levying private and public institutions is a good move but must be made more clear. Formal SMEs and Individuals in formal employment should also be brought in the equation. The already mentioned tax break and incentives for contributing to S&T is good but must be made clear

Investment into research by funding post- graduate students’ (Masters, PhD) research at various universities. In universities, it is at this level where innovation takes place! Create a common platform where scientists, policy makers and end users of technologies meet once a year to share challenges and way forward.

Recommit a percentage of GDP towards science and technology (as in the current policy). Divorce line ministries from conducting R&D; let research institutions do this. Provide for establishment and enactment of a national Academy of Science and Technology (as proposed in the draft policy of 2009). This is what will change the landscape of S&T in the country.

Let the Academy play an independent and objective role in shaping the national development agenda. The Academy will advise government on all issues of S&T including shaping the curricular in schools. The Academy should be adequately funded from Government coffers as well as the private sector

The Republican President must address the Academy once a year to stimulate new thinking for Zambia to stay ahead of other countries. Universities and Research Institutes must be reorganized and re-focus on conducting cutting-edge research and must demonstrate why they should continue existing.

Enact an IPR Act, and let innovation be rewarded. Create the position of Chief Science Advisor to the President and Government (as proposed in the current policy). This is critical! Generally, the Chief Science Advisor must be a Fellow of the Academy. Completely leave out politics in the development of S&T. It is scientists to advise politicians rather than the other way.

Time to act is YESTERDAY! CONCLUSION Time to act is YESTERDAY!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION