Presentation during the 14th Association of African Universities (AAU) Conference and African Open Science Platform (AOSP)/Research Data Alliance (RDA) Workshop in Accra, Ghana, 7-8 June 2017.

1. Open Science and Open Data Initiatives
Namibia
7 & 8 June 2017, Palm Beach Hotel, Accra
Presenter: Prof. L. Haoses-Gorases
University of Namibia

3. INTRODUCTION
 Different Ministries, Agencies, Private
Institutions, Institutions of Higher
Learning were creating and managing
data on their own
 This was mainly done for the purpose of
planning, budgeting, implementation of
new programmes and monitoring and
evaluation of new programs

4. Cont..
 In order to make projections for new
programs
 Government together with these various
sectors have realized the need for
consolidated database in order to have
appropriate information for those in need
of it to respond to the needs of the
nation

5. Cont..
 For example. National Demographic
Health Survey to inform Vision 2030,
National Development Plans (1-5)
 Based on the above-mentioned
information National Commission on
Research Science and Technology
(NCRST) was set up in recognition of
the importance of Research, Science
and Technology as an engine of social
growth

6. Cont..
 The mission of NCRST is to establish a
national system in Namibia that
promotes and develops Research,
Science and Technology as well as
Innovation towards knowledge-based
society

7. University of Namibia
 National leading Institution of Higher Learning
in Namibia
 Established in 1992
 Consists of 8 faculties
 Science, Education, engineering, Humanities
and Social Sciences, Economics and
Management Sciences, Agriculture and
Natural Resources, Health Sciences with four
Schools and Faculty of Law
 School of Postgraduate Studies, Military
Science and Vetenerian Sciences

8. Cont..
 Department of Research and
Publications
 Multidisciplinary Research Centre
(MRC)
 University Consultancy Bureau (UCCB)
 Hentiesbay Research Centre, called
 Jose Eduardo Dos Santos Campus

9.  Research Policy and strategy as approved
by Senate
 UNAM Policy on Ethics
 Institutional Ethics and Review Committee
 Consultancy Policy
 Policy on Intellectual Property
 Policy on cheating and plagarism
 Research groups established in each faculty

14. Collaboration in Research
 Collaborate institutionally
interdisciplinary, intersectoral, regionally
and internationally
 Collaboration is for capacity building,
sharing of expertise and skills to access
facilities, funding purposes/opportunities
strengthening research output
 Gaining recognition in University or
Institutional rankings

15. ICT infrastructure in
Namibia
 Namibia’s Technology (ICT infrastructure)
amongst the best in Africa
 However technological activities are urban
based and trends to follow traditional
diffusion pattern of national road network
 Broadcasting is an exception whereby
Radio and TV programmes are well
covered country-wide
 Direct communication satellite links exist
with neighbouring countries
 Tele density in fixed lines improved

16.  MTCs 3G network deployed over a 5% of the
country making access to internet available
through their 3G devices and internet enabled
phones in partnership

17. ICT in Higher Education
 Higher Education Institutions are the major
ICT hubs for servers, computers, learning
media systems and internet access
through narrow band and broad band
technologies offered by Telecom of
Namibia. MTC and other service providers
 National University of Science and
Technology has over 2,200 PC’s and
laptops in more than 35 labs and in the
Library and offices. About 259 laptops are
used by students and staff as well as 120
servers

18. Cont..
 Current student enrolment are as follows
at the Higher Educational Institutions
 University of Namibia 24 759 students
 National University of Science & Technology
11500
 International University of Management
8400

19.  The Government of Republic of Namibia
recognised importance of Research, Science
and Technology
 As an engine of economic growth and
development
 National Commission on Research, Science
and Technology( NCSRT) was established,
hence the enactment of Research Science
and Technology Act 2004. (Act no. 23 of
2004)

20. Vision
 To be a leading agency that facilitates the
development of Research, Science, Technology
and Innovation towards socio-economic
advancement for Namibia.
 The vision attempts to galvanize the various
stakeholders and mechanisms/means that make up
the funnel towards the creation of Research,
Science, Technology and Innovation deliverables into
an Research and Development commitment and
spend that as a lead indicator will further socio-
economic development in the context of a
knowledge-based economy.

21. Mission
 Establish a national system that promotes,
develops, coordinates and informs
Research, Science, Technology and
Innovation towards a knowledge-based
society.
 The emphasis is on creating a systematic
approach that links and coordinates
stakeholders in a delivery funnel towards
achieving optimal RSTI relevant deliverables
and in that process furthers meaningful
progress towards a knowledge based society
(socio-economic system/society).


22. The objectives as outlined in
section 2 of the Act 23 of 2004
are:-
 To ensure the coordination, monitoring and
supervision of research, science and
technology in Namibia
 To promote and develop research, science
and technology in Namibia
 To promote common ground in research,
scientific and technological thinking across
all disciplines, including the physical,
mathematical and life sciences, as well as
human, social and economic sciences;

23. Cont
 To encourage and promote innovative and
independent thinking and the optimum
development of intellectual capacity of
people in research, science and technology
 To ensure dedicated, prioritized and
systematic funding for research, science
and technology application and
development in Namibia
 To promote linkages between Namibia and
international institutions and bodies on the
development of research, science and
technology

24. Has Innovation and Industrial research division to:-
 Create and manage linkages/platforms that
promote:
 Innovation and industrial research
 Innovations spin offs
 Value addition
 Technology transfer
 Facilitate R&D activities
 Contribute to the development of the 2 STI
infrastructure and ensure stakeholder access

25. Policy
 National Policy on Research Science and
Technology (NPRST) adopted in 1999
 Inactment of the Science and Technology Act
2004 (Act no 23 of 2004)
 The adoption of these documents signify the
importance of effective application of scientific and
technological skills for production of goods and
services to national development
 National Programme on Research, Science and
Technology was developed in terms of Section 18
of RST Act
 The aim was to provide comprehensive framework
for actualization of Namibia’s STI development
aspirations

26. Various Stakeholders
Nationally and Institutionally
 Government Ministries for e.g. Ministry
of Education, Science, Technology and
Innovation
 Civil society
 Private sector
 Non-governmental organizations
 Research institutions in STI
 Development partners and Universities

27. Regional
 NPRSTI is also aligned with the African
Union (AU), Africa Science and
Technology Consolidated Plan of Action
(CPA) as well as the new partnership for
Africa’s development (NEPAD) African
Science, Technology and Innovation
indicators initiatives
 Geared to improve policy conditions and
building innovation modernisms within
and between countries

28. Open Science / Research is
incented / acknowledgement
 In order to remain innovative,
progressive and a relevant nation in the
global economy, the following national
institutions and partners in SRT support
Open Science and Research
 National Commission on Research
Science and Technology
 Ministry of Education
 Research and Publications Committee
(UNAM)

29. Cont..
 In general research institutions in
various fields in Namibia, private sector
and non-governmental institutions for
example, Friedrich Stiftung Agency
(German-based) and others

30. Latest Developments
 NCRST have formalised their
partnership by signing a Memorandum
of Understanding (MOU) of 6 April 2017
with Namibia Scientific Society (NSS)
 NCRST and Namibia Alliance for
Improved Nutrition (NAFIN) signed MOU
towards undertaking a survey to
determine nutritional status of SAN
infants in Namibia

31. South Africa and Namibia
collaborate on producing
national indicators on
Science Technology and
Innovation (HSRC) for
Science, Technology and
Innovation

32. NCRST signed MOU with the
Namibia Standards Institution (NSI)

33. Cont..
 Sarima Annual Conference 22 – 25 May
took placed and with the aim to celebrate
the 15 years of developing the Research
and Innovation Chain
 The National Commission on Research,
Science and Technology (NCRST) is
mandated to administer the measures to
regulate activities that involve the research,
development, production, marketing,
transportation, applications and other uses

34.  Minister of Higher Education, Training
and Innovation launches the Research
and Experimental Development (R&D)
Survey Report 2013/14 fiscal year) The
National Commission on Research,
Science and Technology (NCRST)
officially

35. Cont..
 The NCRST in cooperation with the
International Management Corporation
(IMC), Ireland, through the IIST-Africa
initiative organised a training workshop
on Horizon 2020 in Windhoek on 26
October, specifically focused on the ICT-
39-2017
 NCRST launched Month of Science at
Ongwediva Festival 2016 in August
2016,Namibia

36. Conclusion
 Progress have been made in Open
Science & Open data in recent years
 Linkages built, nationally, regionally and
internationally
 Researchers Science and Technology
remains the backbone of development
 Africa is moving forward in the area of
RST that needs strengthening through
capacity building and collaboration

37. Cont..
 It will definitely succeed in creating of
critical mass to tap wisdom from the
inputs of all interested parties.
 Challenges can be met with
intersectoral approach because there
are different perspectives on
areas/disciplines in Science and
Technology.

38. • UNAM website
www.unam.na
Thank you!