1. Technology Transfer & Adaptation for socio-Economic Benefit
John Sifani
GM –Innovation and Technology Development
National ICT Summit 2015
Fostering Excellence Through Knowledge and Innovation

2. Namibia’s Innovation Readiness Innovation Landscape
Outline
Introduction
Key definitions
Global challenges
Namibia’s Innovation Readiness
Innovation Landscape
Innovation Value Chain
Future Interventions
Conclusion

3. Introduction
There is no doubt that research plays a key role in accelerating development (social, economic).
Its impact strongly depends on the successful execution of projects with the view of utilizing their results for informing and influencing policy.
Key enablers
Leadership, capacity building (researchers and institutions), and the capacity to utilize research findings, funding

4. Key Definitions
“..The term technology transfer can be defined as the process of movement of technology from one entity to another (Souder et al. 1990; Ramanathan 1994)” “ The movement may involve physical assets, know-how, and technical knowledge (Bozeman, 2000).” “ Technology transfer in some situations may be confined to relocating and exchanging of personnel (Osman-Gani 1999) or the movement of a specific set of capabilities (Lundquist 2003)”. “… a set of distinct institutions which jointly and individually contribute to the development and diffusion of new technologies and which provides the framework within which governments form and implement policies to influence the innovation process”. (Metcalfe, S., 1995)

5. Global Challenges
Food Security and Nutrition
Human and Animal Health
Effect of Climate Change on Agricultural Systems
Water and sanitation
Socio-economic welfare
Peace and Security
Logistic and Infrastructure
Housing and Rural Urban Migration

6. Sustainable Development Goals (Goal No.9)
Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries, in particular developing countries, by 2030,
encouraging innovation and substantially increasing the number of research and development workers per 1 million people and public and private research and development spending 
Facilitate sustainable and resilient infrastructure development in developing countries through enhanced financial, technological and technical support to African countries 
Support domestic technology development, research and innovation in developing countries,
ensuring a conducive policy environment for, inter alia, industrial diversification and value addition to commodities 
Significantly increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the Internet in least developed countries by 2020

7. Attain 1% GDP spent on R&D
Continental Level
Attain 1% GDP spent on R&D
5% GDP spent on Agric

8. National Level
“R&D and innovation As a nation, we are obliged to be forward-looking. Therefore, the NDP4 will have a strong R&D and innovation component. Companies will be encouraged to adapt new technologies and invest in R&D. Current R&D efforts will be analysed, and platforms will be established for cooperation between the public and private sectors as well as with tertiary education institutions. The broader strategy will be to elevate innovation to a national level, with representation at all stages of the innovation process” (NDP4, 2012/13 to 2016/17)

9. Namibia’s Innovation Readiness
Pillars
Score
Rank 1
Institution
68.6 50 2
Human Capital & Research
24.1
100 3
Infrastructure
25.9 92 4
Market sophistication
42.4 5
Business sophistication
30.3 79 6
Knowledge and Technology Outputs
7.8
139 7
Creative Outputs
28.1
115
Source: Global Innovation Index 2013

10. Current Innovation Landscape
Science and Technology Policy of 1999
Major Objectives
Enhance coordination, thus increase efficiency in resource use
Facilitate scientific human and Institutional capacity building
Ensure sustained financing of priority Research and Development projects
Promote science as a preferred area of study
Building on these objectives is the Research, Science and Technology Act (RST) Act of 2004 (Act no. 23 of 2004)

11. Current Innovation Landscape cont’d
RST Act of 2004 (Act no. 23 of 2004)
Major Objectives
Ensure co-ordination, monitoring and supervision of RST in Namibia
Promote and develop RST in Namibia
Promote common ground in RST thinking across all disciplines
Encourage and promote innovative and independent thinking and optimum development of intellectual capacity of people in RST
Ensure dedicated, prioritised and systematic funding for RST
Promote linkages between Namibia and international institutions and bodies on development of RST `

12. Current Innovation Landscape
Policy
VISION 2030
NDP4 (target: 0.3% of GDP)
STI Policy (1999)
Legal framework
RSTI Act, 23 of 2004
Biosafety Act of 2006
Organisational Chart
Policy design
National Commission (NCRST)
Promotional
National Innovation Festival
Implementation
Stakeholders
Assessment
NPRSTI M&E Plan
Operational Policy Instruments
National Programme RSTI

13. Recent Development in the Innovation System
In terms of Section 18 of RST Act, 2004
National Research, Science, Technology and Innovation Programme (NRSTIP)
2014 to 2017
Toward a knowledge based society
Enabling policy and regulatory environment
Building research capacities
Promoting cooperation in R&I
Disseminating scientific and technological knowledge
Innovation in the economic and social sectors
Social and Economic Enablers
Health , Agriculture, Fisheries , Water, Energy,
Indigenous knowledge, Social Sciences and Humanities
Logistics, Environment and Tourism, Mining and Geosciences
Technology Enablers
ICT, Manufacturing technologies, Biotechnology, Space Science

14. Functional Innovation System
Output: Innovation value Chain

15. NCRST TIA NCRST BITRI HEIs HEIs NRF Innovation value chain Transfer &
Adaptation
Research Calls
Joint Research Calls
Tech Develop
Technology Platforms/ Station
Basic Research
Applied
Research
Technology Transfer
Offices
NCRST
TIA
BITRI
HEIs
NCRST
HEIs
NRF
Private research
institutions
NCRST
HEIs
NRF
Venture
Capital
MNCs
SME Bank/DBN
Publications/new knowledge
Patents/new products/ Commercialization

16. Future interventions GOVERNMENT (sets national Priorities & funding)
HEIs
R&D relevant to national priorities & development Capacity
Technology transfer platform
INDUSTRY
Advance manufacturing & complete value chain

17. Societal Transformation
Knowledge
Society
Information
Society
Industrial
Society
Agricultural
Society
Innovation
Knowledge
products
Networks
Information
products
Technology
Industrial
products
Economic Growth
Raw Materials
Agri products
Societal Transformation

18. Conclusion
Improved coordination and funding of Research and Innovation
Technology Transfer offices and adaptation mechanisms
Improved collaboration between industry and academia and deepen the commercialization efforts.
Improved monitoring and evaluation (project implementation & expenditure on R&D) towards 1% of GDP in R&D
SADC Protocol on STI
Enhanced collaboration among member states
Invest 1% of GDP in R&D

19. Conclusion (cont’d)
0.3% of GDP expenditure on R&D by 2017

20. THANK YOU!