SYNERGIES AND NETWORKING AMONG INSTITUTIONS: PREDICTING
INNOVATIONS OF THE FUTURE NEEDS OF THE ECONOMY
BY
ENGR. (PROF.) A. P. ONWUALU, FAS, F.A. Eng
DIRECTOR-GENERAL, RMRDC
PAPER PRESENTED AT
THE NOTAP – ISESCO REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON
“ TECHNOLOGY FORESIGHT”
REIZ CONTINENTAL HOTEL, ABUJA, NIGERIA
23 – 25 FEBRUARY, 2011
Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC)
No. 17, Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama District, Abuja
Website: www.rmrdc.gov.ng
Email:
ceo@rmrdc.gov.ng
Phone: 07098805375
OUTLINE
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Introduction
Innovation Institutions
Benefits of Networking among Institutions
Global Strategies to foster networking and synergy
Networking and Synergy: RMRDC Experience
Challenges
The Future
Conclusion
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1.0
INTRODUCTION
• Nigeria’s Vision 20:2020: to be amongst the first twenty
largest economies in the world by the year 2020
• Science, Technology and Innovation are the major
determinants of the level of advancement of the present
first twenty largest economies
• Indicators of the advancement are: ICT, manufacturing,
volume of exports and improved standard of living
• The core drivers of Vision 20:2020 are technology based
• Therefore Vision 20:2020 can only be achieved if it is tied
to a sound technology Vision
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• Nigeria Innovation System is weak: weak infrasructure
and human capacity; weak linkages and interactions
between key players; poor or lack of Vision
• Technology and innovation are globally being accepted as
key source of economic growth and competitiveness
• In order to ensure technological and hence economic
competitiveness, techonology vision is increasingly being
adopted as an essential element of national development
strategy
• Consequently, developing a technology Vision (foresight)
at this point of our national history has become
imperative
• Synergy among relevant institutions is vital in realising
the Vision
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2.0 INNOVATION INSTITUTIONS
• National System of Innovation play significant roles in
determining current and future technology trends and
needs
• Consist of three core groups operating in a triple helix
(knowledge centres, Government and industry)
• Knowledge Centres
- Research Institutes
- Universities
- Polytechnics
- Colleges of Agriculture
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Innovation Institutions cont’d
- Colleges of Education
- Private Sector Laboratories/Researchers
- Development Partners, Non-Governmental
Organizations (NGOs)
• Industrial Sector
- Large Scale
- Medium Scale
- Small Scale
- Cottage Level
- Micro Scale
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Innovation Institutions cont’d
• Organized Private Sector (OPS)
- Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN)
- Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI)
- Nigerian Association of Small and Medium
Enterprises (NASME)
- Cooperatives
- Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture
• Government
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Federal
state
Local Government
Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs)
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TRIPLE HELIX CONCEPT
Knowledge
centre (K)
GK
KS
Industrial
sector (I)
KIG
GI
Government (G)
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3.0 BENEFITS OF NETWORKING/SYNERGY AMONG
INSTITUTIONS
• Encourage Demand-Driven Research and Innovation
• Increase Commercialization of R&D Results
• Improve the Productivity and Competitiveness of Industries
• Mutual Benefits for Research and Industry
• Economic and Technological Development of the Country
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4.0 GLOBAL STRATEGIES TO FOSTER NETWORKING AND
SYNERGY
• Technology Business Incubation
• Presidential Committee on Inventions and Innovations
• Endowment of Chairs in Higher Institutions by Industry
• National Science Foundation
• Firm-sponsored Laboratory and Scholarships
• Honorary Doctorates/Fellowships
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Global Strategies cont’d
• Industry/University Cooperative Research Centres
• Industry/University Projects
• Science/Research/Technology Parks
• World Bank Science and Technology Education PostBasic (STEP-B) Project
• Development Partners
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5.0 NETWORKING AND SYNERGY: RMRDC EXPERIENCE
•Funding of Demand-Driven Research and Development (R&D),
Followed by Industrial Testing
•Pilot Plants and Catalytic Model Factory Programme
•Biennial Techno-Expo
•Boosting Programme (e.g. Fruits, Castor, Jatropha, Cassava, Gum
Arabic, Cotton, etc.)
•Specialized Conferences/Workshops that bring Researchers and
Industrialists together
•Facilitating Raw Materials Cluster Development in conjunction with
knowledge centres (PACF – cashew, honey, cassava, oil palm, etc)
• National Design competition
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Networking and Synergy cont’d
• Mathematical Modelling of Process
Equipment
• Computer Aided Design of Process Equipment
and Plants
• National Foundation for Process Equipment
Design (NAFPED)
• Promoting National System of Innovation, NSI
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SOME USEFUL RESULTS OF
NETWORKING/SYNERGY
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Salt Processing Plant
Kilishi Processing Machine
Essential Oil Production Plant
Wood Seasoning Kiln ‘A’ (Electric) Wood Seasoning Kiln ‘B’ (Firewood)
Moringa Water Treatment Plant Prototype Automated Weaving
Briquetting Machines
Flash Dryer
Loom
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Glazier Putty Mixer
Silk Cloth Weaving Unit
Melon Shelling Equipment
Lawyer’s Wig Weaving Unit
Exhibits on Display During the 2009 TechnoExpo of RMRDC
Akwete Traditional Weaving
Crank Kick Wheel
Pilot Plant for Production of Laboratory Chemicals
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and Reagents
7.0 CHALLENGES
• Poor Policy Framework
• Inadequate Funding
• Lack of Mutual Trust
• “Ivory Tower” Syndrome
• Threats from Imports
• Lack of Confidence in Local Researchers particularly by
some Multinationals
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8.0 THE FUTURE
• Reinforce National System of Innovation
• Establish National Science and Competitiveness Foundation
• Collaboration among Heads of Institutions
Vice Chancellors (CVC)
Rectors
Provosts
Chief Executives of Research Institutions (CODRI)
MAN
NACCIMA
NASME
NASSI
• Operationalize National Research Coordinating Council
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9.0 CONCLUSION
For Science, Technology and Innovation to play a
pivotal role in national development, Innovation
Institutions must forge partnerships among
themselves and with other stakeholders in the
economy
• Such partnerships should come up with clear visions
on where the country should be heading to in terms
of technology and innovation
• Clear targets should be set and pursued by
institutions in synergy with others
• These can be achieved by operationalizing the
National Research Coordinating Council
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THANK YOU
• RMRDC – Adding Value to Nigeria’s
Raw Material Resources
• Winner of 2009 National Productivity
Merit Award
Website: www.rmrdc.gov.ng
Email:
ceo@rmrdc.gov.ng
Phone: 07098805375
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