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
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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
OVERVIEW
Introduction
 Historical Perspective
 S&T Infrastructure
 The National Commission on Science
and Technology
 STI
 Inhibitors to Progression
 Knowledge from UNESCO GRENADA

A LOOK AT THE NCST
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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
Jamaica’s S&T Infrastructure
Prime Minister
Advisor’s
Office
Universities
National S&T
Commission
National S&T
Foundation
Investment
Fund
Technology
R&D Faculties
Applied Institutions
(Science Parks)
Private Sector
Manufacturing, Processing,
Industries, Services,
Trade, Testing
Public Sector
Organizations
Research & Development
Standards, Education,
Agriculture, Energy,
Environment , Minerals, Water,
Marine, Government Ministries,
Information Systems,
Professional associations,
Sciences centres
Foreign Investments &
Technology Transfer
Licensing Agreements
Strategic Objectives of the
NCST
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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
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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 …
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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 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)
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
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)
STI Information from the ESSJ
CXC 2009
Biology
Chemistry
IT
Mathematics
Physics
2006
73.1
60.3
56.9
31.6
50.7
2007
73.7
60.9
74.8
29.6
47.8
2008
77.8
65.9
78.3
37.2
77.7
2009
77.9
76.3
86.4
36.1
74.6
100
90
% Grades I-IIII
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
2006
Biology
FIGURE C: PERFORMANCE OF JAMAICAN CANDIDATES IN SELECTED SCIENCE
SUBJECTS IN THE CXC/CSEC MAY-JUNE EXAMINATIONS, 2006-2009
2007
Chemistry
2008
IT
Mathematics
2009
Physics
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
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HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT
- INCENTIVES
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National Medal for
Science and
Technology
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NFDST’s Trophy for
Schools Competition
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Tax Incentive Scheme
S&T CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT Information And Knowledge Systems
– NCST and Children’s site
being developed
 Profiles of S&T Institutions- inventory of
mandate, programmes and projects
 Websites
S&T CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT –
Public Understanding of S&T
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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
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Training
 Competitions
 Visits, Meetings
 Workshops
 Policy and Planning
 Research Projects
Collaboration
Local
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Committees
Private Sector Liaison
S&T Institutions
International
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Partnerships – RICYT
UNESCO, OAS
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S&T missions/visits
 Conferences,
workshops etc.
 Collaborative
research
 Projects- Caribbean
Welcome
 Jamaican- Caribbean
Diaspora
SOME CHALLENGES
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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…
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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
SUMMARY
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STI
 Human
 Expenditure
 ESSJ
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PROBLEMS
 Lack of Trust /Confidentiality
 Difficulty in obtaining data
 Changes in Political Directorate…
UNESCO Grenada, February 1-3,
2010
22
NUTT-TINS
Novelty 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 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