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Strengthening the Research Culture:A holistic view
Romain Murenzi, Executive Director
The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS)
2nd High-Level CARICOM Science and Technology MeetingSt. George’s, Grenada | 27 March 2015
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A dream of science in the South
“…with man’s recent mastery of science and technology there is no physical reason left for the existence of hunger and want for any part of the human race.”
– Abdus Salam (1963)
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A dream of science in the South
"The Third World Academy [of Sciences] … must serve in the cause of enhancing South-South and South-North collaboration."
– Abdus Salam (1983)
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A voice for science in the South
• 1141 elected Fellows• 117 women• 15 Nobel laureates• 94 countries• 193 Young Affiliates and Alumni
TWAS HQ and Regional Offices
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TWAS’s guiding principle
Through science and engineering, a nation can address challenges in agriculture, climate, health, energy and others.
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The rise of the South
TWAS has joined with others to promote a science-for-development model for the South.
The result?
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The rise of the South
• Rising R&D investment by many developing nations
• Significant growth, poverty-reduction• A development model for other
nations, both large and small
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The rise of the South
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Building a global research culture
“We need more scientists, more engineers, more researchers – to craft new solutions to health challenges, to anticipate disasters, to eliminate poverty.”
– Irina Bokova, UNESCO director-general
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Building a global research culture
“Scientific capacity is distributed very unevenly in our world – even among the developing nations…. To nurture a new generation of scientists and engineers, we must reach further and search more diligently to find scientific excellence.”
– Bai Chunli, TWAS president
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Caribbean science & research
Positive conditions• A history of scientific research• An established scientific
culture• Existing educational centers• Political awareness and
commitment
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Caribbean science & research
Significant challenges• Climate change• Ocean health• Natural disasters• Disaster engineering• Food security• Infectious disease• Non-communicable disease
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Caribbean science & research
A difficult context• Persistent poverty• Government debt• Historically low R&D spending
(<1.0% GDP)• Insufficient graduate-level
science and engineering education
• Severe long-term brain-drain
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The research culture: elements
Leadership and political will• Vision for the future• Strategic plan• An innovation ecosystem to
drive development and provide training and opportunities for young scientists
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The research culture: elements
Leadership and political will
A commitment to find a way forward even in difficult conditions
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The research culture: elements
A holistic vision• Recognizes that the research
environment is shaped by education, policy, technology, funding sources, communication and other factors
• “Sector-wide approach”
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The research culture: elements
In developing countries, every plan for sustainable development starts with one essential factor:
KNOWLEDGE
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The research culture: elements
KNOWLEDGE
• Public Health• Water• Sanitation• Energy• Education
• Climate Change• Agriculture• Food Security• Natural Disasters• Environment
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The research culture: elements
• Knowledge Acquisition • Knowledge Creation • Knowledge Transfer • Innovation Culture
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The research culture: elements
R&D investments• Sector-wide approach• Targeted to national or regional
needs• Strategically managed and
sustained
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The research culture: elements
The work of TWAS is focused in two critical areas: • Building a corps of PhD scholars• Improving laboratory facilities
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TWAS PhD Fellowships Training PhD-level scientists:
• Researchers and university-level educators
• Future leaders for science policy, business and international cooperation
TWAS PhD Fellowships
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500+ Fellowships per yearPhD fellowships +350Postdoctoral fellowships 125Visiting researchers/professors 45
TWAS Research Grants
USD1.7 million per year for laboratory development in the developing world
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Among the 81 countries eligible for TWAS research grants are five CARICOM countries:
• Belize• Guyana• Haiti• Jamaica• Suriname
TWAS Research Grants
2,200 grants awarded to individuals and research groups (1996-2013)
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Among the 81 countries eligible for TWAS research grants are five CARICOM countries:
• Belize• Guyana• Haiti• Jamaica• Suriname
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The research culture: values
Competition breeds excellence
Photo: ESPN
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The research culture: values
• Scientific publications• Prizes
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The research culture: values
Generally, a higher level of R&D investment produces higher levels of research publication.
More impact.
More prizes.
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The research culture: values
Ethics and research integrity
In science education and the practice of science, commitment to the highest standards of global scientific practice
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The research culture: values
South-South cooperation• Lessons from emerging
nations• Regional partnerships and
initiatives• Cooperation across the
developing world
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Research culture: targets and goals
A crucial need for data• To make effective policy• To measure progress on the
road to success
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Research culture: targets and goals
Key objective:
Create an innovation ecosystem that can support the domestic private
sector and attract foreign investment that develops skilled young scientists
and gives them incentives to remain in their home countries
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Merci
Danke
Romain Murenzi, Executive Director
r m u r e n z i @ t w a s . o r g
www.twas.orgPresentation prepared by TWAS Public Information Office
GrazieWith gratitude to our supporters:Government of ItalyUNESCOSwedish International Development Cooperation AgencyBrazil, China, India, and Kuwait
