La Politique de la Science,
la Technologie et
l'Innovation au Rwanda
Dr Marie-Christine Gasingirwa
DG Science, Technologie et
Recherche
Ministère de l’ Education
Kigali, RWANDA
April, 2011
Overview
- Introduction: country information
- Vision, strategies
- STI Policy and implementation
- Indicators
- R&D
- Challenges
- Way forward
- Conclusion
INTRODUCTION:
Country information
• Popn. 10Millions
• Popn density:
varies;300600/km2
• GDP: 400
USD/yr (cf 290
USD in 2001
with a target of
900 USD in
2020-Vision)
Country Information
Land Area: 26,338 square kilometers
Location: Between 1 – 3 deg. latitude south and 29- 31deg.
longitude east 75 miles from the Equator; 880 miles from
the Indian Ocean; 1250 miles from the Atlantic Ocean
Altitude: Most of the country lies above 1000 m, with half of
which lies between 1500 - 2000 m above sea level
Terrain: Mostly grassy uplands and hills; relief is
mountainous with altitude declining from west to east
Land use: 47% cropland, 20% forest, 18% pasture, 13%
other
Administration: 5 Provinces, 30 Districts, 416 Sectors
Vision du Rwanda et le Role de la Science
Technologie et ICT
• The belief of the Government of Rwanda in the
power of Science for building Rwanda’s Economy –
Economic Growth, Social Development – is
embodied in:
• Vision 2020
• The National Policy of Science, Technology and
Innovation
• NICI Plans
• To transform Rwanda’s currently Agriculture based
economy to a knowledge based economy by year
2020.
• To use science, technology and ICT as a key
enabler of this transformation
VISION
Agricultural
Based
Economy
2001
20 Years
Knowledge
Based
Economy
2020
Achieving Rwanda's Ambitions for STI
Ministry of Education, Department of Science,
Technology and Innovation promotes science,
technology and innovation by:
• building partnerships,
• sourcing for opportunities,
• monitoring progress and
• backstopping the implementation of the STI
policy
Implementation and delivery:
•Other ministries / Sectors
•Other organizations both public and private
•National Council for Science Technology and
innovation
STI POLICY IN RWANDA
Human Resource Development in
Science and Technology
- “Rwanda’s development will ultimately depend on
the development of our human resource base and
that of the people, with whom we share our
destiny.” (Rwanda 1997, by His Excellence Paul Kagame)
- The application of science and technology is
fundamental, and indeed indispensable, to the
social and economic transformation of our
countries. Productive capacities in modern
economies are not based merely on capital, land
and labour. They are also dependent on scientific
knowledge and sustained technological advances”
(Speech to Royal Society UK September 2006)
- Professor Abdus Salam:
'Scientific and Technological knowledge is a “Human Kind
Heritage.”
Therefore any country pre-occupied with changing the
livelihood of their people from poverty to better conditions of
living must appropriately invest in science, technology, and
innovation'
Rwanda’s National Science, Technology and
Innovation Policy (2005)
Policy objectives
• Often known as the knowledge
triangle or innovation triangle,
Can also be represented as the
Knowledge and Innovation
Tetrahedron
Culture of
Innovation
Knowledge
• This is the representation of the
Transfer
elements of the National STI
Policy with:
• the three fundamental
objectives, of
• Knowledge Acquisition,
Knowledge
Acquisition
• Knowledge Creation,
Knowledge
Creation
• Knowledge Transfer and
• Culture of Innovation to build
on the solid foundation of these
three
Knowledge Acquisition:
Human Capacity Building
•
The principal areas for knowledge acquisition start at Primary
level and move up through Secondary to Vocational,
Technical, and Higher Institutions of learning.
•
At primary level a project is ongoing to equip all 2,200 primary
schools in Rwanda with a science corner. This will display
fundamental information about science with particular
relevance to the world around the school including the cycle of
life, fundamentals of energy, the environment, and a computer
with internet connection. OLPC – 100,000 lap tops being rolled
out in 2009
•
The proposed interventions at secondary level will include the
provision of a high quality science and technology education,
in schools equipped to also undertake practical lessons.
•
At higher level (NUR, KIST, KHI, KIE, ISAE, UP) priority is
focused on theoretical and practical training for medical
practitioners, technologists in various fields, agriculturalists,
scientists, engineers, doctors etc.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Knowledge Creation:
Infrastructure and Human Capacity Building in
Research
Post doctoral training for our PhD holder lecturers in
collaboration with foreign universities,
The establishment of an S&T trust fund,(RWEF)
Research Fellowships
Industrial Attachments in all major projects,
Specific Research in Commodities with potential for
Economic Growth (LS, convergence platforms),
The establishment and reinforcement of high quality
laboratories, including all health districts and a state of
the art reference laboratory (NRL),
To establish S&T Centres of Excellence in HLIs,
Science and Technology Conferences
Reinforce the capacity of Industries to conduct
research by establishing R&D Units.
Rwandan Research Institutes and Agencies
Focus Areas
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
IRST - research and generation of suitable technologies in
energy, environment, health, society and economic fields
ISAR - development of appropriate technologies to transform
agriculture from subsistence to commercial
RADA - implement the national agriculture policy, supply
farmers with appropriate technologies to increase production,
reinforce the farmers’ technical capacity
RARDA - growth of animal production through development of
appropriate technologies, providing advisory, outreach and
extension services to stakeholders in the animal resources
sector
RHODA - develop necessary legislation to govern activities for
the increased production of horticultural products, implement
national horticultural strategy
REMA – implement the national environmental policy,
environmental protection and regulation
RDB/IT (Former RITA) – a centre of innovation and national
point of reference for ICTs
Knowledge Transfer:
STI Capacity for Economic Growth, Poverty
Reduction and Meeting MDGs
• Using STI Capacity Building in Rwanda as a Tool for
Improving the Lives of the Rural Poor, Reducing Poverty,
and Achieving the MDGs, also as a tool for generating
wealth and diversifying the economy
• Agriculture Productivity -Research and Extension
• Geothermal Energy / Geosciences
• Food Processing and Food Technology
• Clean Drinking Water and Sanitation
• Biofuels-CITT/KIST
• Vocational and Technical Education and Training
• ICT
• Crops / commodities developed or under
development include:
•
•
•
•
Coffee, Silk
Horticulture (flowers, vegetables, fruits)
Aquaculture, Herbs and Essential Oils
Banana Fibre
Culture of Innovation
Knowledge Creation and Knowledge Transfer Supporting the
Green Revolution in Rwanda (1)
Orange Fleshed Sweet Potatoes
(OFSP) rich in vit A (2)
Culture of Innovation:
Biodigesters in construction phase at Groupe
Scolaire du Bon Conseil(Byumba)
2. CITT (Centre for Innovation and Technology Transfer)
under KIST , with a Vision:
To be a centre of excellence for innovation, research,
development and transfer of appropriate technologies, focusing
on rural and peri-urban communities and equality of
opportunities in Rwanda.
Science and Technology Policy Areas
Agriculture & Animal Husbandry
• Scientific techniques shall be used to improve land yield
and productivity which is key to optimising the use of
Rwanda’s limited land resource;
• Scientific techniques shall be applied for the promotion
and development of specific commodities with a view to
transformation of agriculture and animal husbandry with
particular emphasis on the promotion of exports
Biotechnology
• The development of biotechnology to support increase in
productivity both in terms of crop yield and animal
husbandry and to assist with the achievement of the
Millennium Development Goals
Health
• A scientific approach to health issues to promote and
focus heavily on infectious disease vaccines and clinical
treatments
Science and Technology Policy Areas
Environment
• Scientific techniques shall be applied for the sustainable
management of natural resources including biodiversity,
water and soil conservation, marshlands improvement
and issues related to climate change
Water and Sanitation
• Science and technology interventions to achieve
sustainable and integrated water resources development
and management to enable access nationally to effective
sanitation systems and clean drinking water
Transport
• To develop local Rwandan capacity in the design and
construction of transport infrastructure, including
bridges, viaducts and culverts
Science and Technology Policy Areas
Energy
• To promote scientific and technological activities that
will increase access to electricity and provide good
quality, cost-effective service, including the development
of capacity in all areas of energy research, development
and implementation, with particular regard to renewable
energy and the protection of the environment
ICT
• A focus shall be applied to information technology,
especially in the fields of intelligence systems and
decision making
Geo-information
• Advanced Geographical Information / Remote Sensing
Systems (GIS/RS) shall be developed, covering the whole
country, to enable spatial databases to be developed and
maintained to maximise knowledge and understanding of
the country
Science and Technology Policy Areas
Tourism
• Scientific and Technological processes shall be
developed in support of the application of science to
eco-environmental tourism with a view to supporting the
development of the tourism sector in Rwanda
Industry
• The application of Science and Technology shall be
promoted in support of the growth of the Industrial
sector with a focus on light industry within a diversified
economy, competitive and oriented towards exports
Private Sector
• The Science and Technology policy objective for the
private sector is to focus on technological and
innovative advancements in support of the emergence of
a healthy private sector that will lead economic growth in
Rwanda
Collaboration and National STI Policy
• The policy recognises the need to develop within
the population a critical mass of knowledgeable
critical thinking citizens
•
Results of Collaboration seen in support of Various STI
initiatives (1)
•
•
National Initiatives:
• OLPC – (MIT)
• National Backbone, (World Bank, Korea Telecom,
Ministries of Telecoms Tanzania, Kenya)
Support gained at:
• National level
• Bi-lateral
• Multilateral
• Corporate
• Data Centre – (Government of Rwanda)
• CNS (Communication Navigation Surveillance), ATM (Air
Traffic Management ), (USTDA, COMESA)
• Regional Centre of Excellence in ICT – (Carnegie Mellon
University US, AfDB), COE in Biodiversity (UNESCO)
Regional (& International) Science Collaboration
Technology Applications
•Broadcasting, Climate Change, Communication Navigation
Surveillance (CNS) /Air Traffic Management (ATM)
•Tripartite Agreement: Virunga National Park Conservation
Technology
Applications
•Energy
(Methane /
Geothermal)
•Joint
Discussions
DRC Rwanda
Technology
Applications
•Fibre Optic
Comms
•Joint
Discussions
Rwanda /
Uganda / Kenya
/ Tanzania
Technology Applications
•Conservation
•Rwanda / Burundi: Nyungwe National Park Conservation
Regional (& International) Science Collaboration (2)
Transmitter
on top of
Mount
Karismbi
Albertine Rift
Mountain Gorillas
Golden Monkey –
Endangered species
of Albertine Rift
Methane
Gas Plant
Lake Kivu
Using ICT as an enabler to support the
following
Direct Economic Benefits
• Job creation e.g outsourcing from other countries
based on ICT knowledge, service industry, software
development, design and manufacture, support in local
industry, hardware assembly
• Creating wealth for people
• Economic growth
Indirect Social and Economic Benefits
• Access to services e.g. health information, education
information, financial including banking, Governmental
services/
• Access to markets e.g. agricultural
• Telemedicine, Tele-education (Distance learning)
• Communication – keeping people in touch with each
other.
LES INDICATEURS DE S-T
1. EFFECTIFS DES ELEVES DANS LES FILLIERES
SCIENTIFIQUES AU SECONDAIRE
 En 2009, on a enregistré 37 952 élèves
scolarisés en science et technologie sur 110
992 effectifs du secondaire soit 34,2%,
 En 2010, on a enregistré 36.4% des élèves
orientés dans les filières scientifiques et
technologiques soit un effectif de 46.125
élèves sur 126 788 élèves scolarisés au
secondaire.
2. STUDENTS IN HIGHER LEARNING
INSTITUTIONS IN SCIENCE FIELDS
• En 2010, 25 894 étudiants fréquentaient les
facultés des sciences et technologie sur un
effectif total de 62 734 étudiants des
institutions d’enseignement supérieur et
universitaires soit 41.3%
• En 2009, 22 421 étudiants fréquentaient les
facultés des sciences et technologie sur un
effectif total de 55 213 soit 40.6%.
3. LE STAFF ACADEMIQUE, CHERCHEURS
SCIENTIFIQUES
 2400 enseignants et chercheurs dont la moitie
exercent leurs fonctions dans les filieres
scientifiques et technologiques.
 Les principales institutions de recherche du
Rwanda IRST et ISAR ont 100 chercheurs et
50 techniciens.
R & D FINANCING
• Research in public institutions is financed
partially from the national annual budget with the
support of external funders by development
partners under bilateral (SIDA-SAREC, DFID,
USAID, NUFFIC, JICA, CUD, BTC, GIZ, etc..) and
international cooperation (WB, AfDB, UNESCO,
UNECA, WHO,etc…)
• The National STI policy is expected, with time, to
progressively attain the required 1% of the annual
budget set aside for R&D as recommended by
AMCOST.
• Individual research institutions sign MoUs with
development partners, both local as well as
regional/international, on mutually agreed terms
• The Private sector, is strongly urged to invest in
research projects as they stand to benefit from
them at both short and long term levels.
Challenges in Research
The problems that beset research in Rwanda
are categorized into the following types:
1. Financial- research is not sufficiently
financed leading to some planned
projects grinding to a holt before
completion
2. Lack of qualified human capacity in
different domains
3. Work load vs time: staff at Universities,
hardly have any time to engage in
research in addition to their heavy
involvement in teaching and supervision
of their students work. Very few are full
time researchers
Other problems include:
• Infrastructure and research equipments for STI are
limited; eg laboratories, workshops, reagents, etc…
• Insufficient involvement of the private sector
• Mobility /instability of researchers in their careers
and research programmes
• Data are still scattered in different institutions, eg
the RNEC, NISR, HEC, different ministries and
agencies,etc….
•
Disorganized statistics and research reporting was
attributed to lack of an organized framework in which all
research could be coordinated, before. Since the
establishment of the Directorate of Science, Technology
and Research (DSTR/I), under the NCSTI law governing
research, this coordination is now in progress. Moreover
there are, now, well elaborated rules governing research
in Rwanda to bring about order.
WAY FORWARD AND CONCLUSIONS.
• With the establishment of the Directorate of
Science, Technology and Research (DSTR/I), under
the NCSTI law governing research, this
coordination is now in progress. Moreover there
are, now, well elaborated rules governing research
in Rwanda to bring about order.
• A Data Bank is in compilation to establish a
harmonized way of data collection and analysis for
accurate record and for smooth coordination and
utilization/sharing of information (retrieving data
pertaining to STI that is still scattered in different
institutions). Organization of seminars for efficient
data collection and analysis.
• Statistics on R&D, Innovations, and others
collected from secondary sources will be
centralized.
• Research will be harmonized and data reliable.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR
ATTENTION!