Engineering: issues, challenges and opportunities for development ...

ENGINEERING: ISSUES CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEVELOPMENTfer platform, specific to their own contexts. APCTT has alsodesigned the APTITUDE Search Engine to help seekers oftechnology simultaneously search several technology databasesthat are in the public domain.To ensure that a holistic approach is taken in the planningand management of technology transfer, APCTT is currentlypromoting a ‘National Innovation Systems’ approach in countriesof the Asia-Pacific region. The aim is to influence policymakersso that they appreciate the relevance and importanceof the NIS approach, and to develop policy frameworks thatensure the effective development and transfer of innovationsin industry, research and development institutions, and inuniversities. APCTT is also implementing a project on GrassrootsInnovation to help member countries scout, documentand eventually commercialize such innovations with a viewtowards promoting inclusive development and social entrepreneurship.4.3.10 The African Network ofScientific and TechnologicalInstitutions (ANSTI)Jacques MoulotIn Africa, engineers and scientists have traditionally organizedthemselves in networks based around disciplines. Suchnetworks are often professional associations with political oradministrative purposes aimed at addressing gaps affecting theprofession and careers of engineers and scientists. Networksaimed at human resource capacity-building are less common.According to Massaquoi and Savage 17 there are mainly twotypes of such capacity-building networks at regional level inAfrica: regional centres of excellence for training and researchand regional institutional networks.The African Network of Scientific and Technological Institutions(ANSTI) is an example of the latter. Established in 1980 byUNESCO, ANSTI is arguably one of the oldest alliances dealingwith science in Africa. It draws its political mandate from thefirst Conference of Ministers Responsible for the Applicationof Science and Technology to Development in Africa organizedin 1974 and its operational mandate from its membersand partners.The membership of ANSTI currently comprises 174 universitydepartments and research centres, following a 77 percent increase since 1999. The members are located in 35 sub-17 Massaquoi, J.G.M. and Savage, Mike (2002) Regional Cooperation for capacity buildingin science and technology. Popularisation of science and technology education:Some Case Studies for Africa. By Mike Savage and Prem Naido (Eds). CommonwealthSecretariatSaharan African countries. An estimated one-third of themembers provide engineering degrees in various disciplinesof engineering. The network functions with a light and costeffective structure composed of a secretariat in charge of thedaily operation and implementation of the activities of thenetwork, and a Governing Council that meets once a yearto approve the budget and provide policy guidelines for thenetwork.ANSTI provides capacity-building services and opportunitiesto scientists and engineers at its member institutions.These include awards and fellowships for postgraduatetraining, grants for travel to and for the organization of conferences,and funds for visiting professorships. As in any network,information exchange is emphasized. ANSTI pools theresources of its members and seeks partnerships and supportfrom donors to attain its specific objectives (highlighted inthe Box). Up to 2008, among other activities, it had provideddifferent types of grants to more than 300 staff of memberinstitutions; facilitated more than 50 staff exchange visits;granted over eighty-five postgraduate fellowships for trainingof which 35 per cent in the fields of engineering, and providedmore than ninety grants to scientists and engineers toattend conferences.The main objectives of ANSTIThe objectives of ANSTI, as detailed in its 2007–2011 strategic planare:■■To strengthen the staff of science and engineering traininginstitutions.To facilitate the use of African scientists in the diaspora tostrengthen teaching and research in science and engineering inuniversities.■ To promote the use of Information and CommunicationTechnology (ICT) in the delivery of science and engineeringeducation.■To facilitate the sharing of scientific information and strengthenthe coordinating mechanism of the network.■ To strengthen research activities in relevant areas of Science &Technology.■To provide a forum for the discussion of strategic issues inscience and engineering education (including issues of qualityand relevance).Excerpt from ANSTI Strategic Plan 2007–2011One of the important activities of any capacity-building programmeis the identification and discussion of strategic issuesinvolved in the relevant fields of education. ANSTI, throughthe meetings of deans and other expert groups, has in the pastidentified several issues that affect science and technologyeducation in Africa. The network has established a biennial150