AU commission seeks support of academia, industry to develop science, technology
AU commission seeks academia, industry’s support to develop science, technology
Science
Abuja, June 27, 2016 (NAN) The African Union Scientific Technical Research Commission (AUSTRC) is seeking the support of the academia and industry to improve the development of science and technology in the continent.
The Executive Director of the commission, Mr Ahmed Hamdy made this known on Wednesday at a meeting of the commission with some Nigerian Vice-Chancellors and Heads of Research Institutions in Abuja.
Hamdy said the AUSTRC was involved in several projects and the science portal of African Union Network of Sciences (AUNS) was one of them.
AUNS is a network that involves a wide range of individuals working together to address the African science and technology development challenges.
The meeting was part of measures of the commission to promote its science portal, which it currently being built up with the profiles of 100 scientists and researchers in the country.
Hamdy said the network was at third stage, which was the functionalisation and publicity of the network.
“From a survey of existing networks, we developed the portal for the network, which include its modules, database and digital library.
“We are at the third stage of functionilisation and publicity of the network and we promise continuous improvement and sustainability of the network,” he said.
The executive director, however, decried the “low scientific publication from Africa due to lack of collaborations amongst African scientists as compared with the advanced countries.
He urged the vice-chancellors, heads of industry and research institutions to help promote the network in order to change the mindset of researchers on the continent.
According to him, more participation on the network will help Africa’s technology to be exported to the world and help address problems of science and technology in Africa.
Mr Gilbert Byatuhaire, the Head of Documentation of the commission, in a presentation showed participants how to log on to the portal, share files and network.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the vice chancellors agreed that lack of enough funding by the government was a major impediment to the development of science and technology in Africa.
They therefore urged the commission not to relent in its efforts in promote science and technology in Africa, saying that government alone could not do much.
Some of them also suggested to the commission ways to the network could be improved upon to promote research, ensure crowd participation and feedback mechanism.
NAN reports that vice chancellors of over 25 universities were represented including heads of research institutions and science associations.
The universities include Mountain Top University, Ogun; Enugu State University, National Universities Commission, Gombe State University, Obafemi Awolowo University, Industry Technology Association of Nigeria (ITAN). (NAN)
TOLU/GY
Edited by Grace Yussuf