DATES: 3rd – 5th December 2007
VENUE: Tanzania: Venue to be determined
Background - The Need for East African Biotechnology
Innovation systems
Innovation may be defined as a process of
transforming an idea, which usually but not always has been
generated through Research and Development, into a new or
improved product, process or approach that relates to the real
needs of the society, and involves scientific, technological,
organizational or commercial activities. Innovation may
therefore, involve an invention, but with emphasis on
producing or improving on goods and services. In short,
innovation is a result and a process, whereby knowledge is the
most important resource and learning the most important
activity.
The East African Regional Programme and
Research Network for Biotechnology, Biosafety and
Biotechnology Policy Development (BIO-EARN) is a joint effort
to empower four Eastern Africa countries-Ethiopia, Kenya,
Tanzania and Uganda- to meet challenges of modern
biotechnology and assist them in realizing its potential under
local conditions. The Programme aims to use biotechnology in a
sustainable manner in order to help improve livelihoods,
ensure food security, and safeguard the environment.
BIO-EARN can be viewed as an innovation
platform and represents a network of about 20 institutions in
the four Eastern African countries as well as in Sweden. It is
funded by Sida/SAREC. The Programme started in 1998/99 and is
currently in the 3rd Phase (2006-2009) of
implementation. Unlike the first two phases, where emphasis
was on capacity building of human resources and infrastructure
development, the third phase focuses on Research for
Development (R4D). The R4D projects in the current phase of
the Programme are: 1) novel sorghum varieties, 2) disease-free
seeds of cassava and sweet potato varieties, 3) appropriate
technologies for waste water treatment, and 4) bio-reactor
systems for the production of bio-energy value added chemical
products. The fifth project is on enhancing product
development opportunities and on creating a supportive policy
environment for the four R4D projects.
Although the potential for biotechnology to
contribute to increased economic growth (and ultimately
poverty reduction) is highlighted in the poverty reduction
strategies of all four BIO-EARN countries, its application is
to a large extent constrained by lack of enabling policies for
biotechnology product development and commercialization, both
at institutional and national levels.
A recent report by the AU / NEPAD High
Level Panel on Biotechnology emphasizes the urgent need for
African governments to promote local innovation, and suggests
a number of practical measures that will enhance Africa’s
scientific and commercial potential. The report also points to
the role of "regional innovation communities"
whereby innovation capacities are mobilized across countries.
The BIO-EARN response
Against this background, BIO-EARN proposes
a regional workshop on innovation in biotechnology as outlined
below. The workshop provides an opportunity for the BIO-EARN
network to share information on ongoing projects but also
ideas on how BIO-EARN can contribute to the development of
Eastern African biotechnology innovation systems. Expected
outputs from the workshop will include a BIO-EARN action plan
for research and policy outreach activities that promote
innovation in the Eastern African region.
The Workshop content
In 2007, BIO-EARN conducted a study to
identify opportunities for, and constraints towards
public-private partnerships for biotechnology product
development, transfer and diffusion in the region. The results
from this study will be presented at the workshop. .The
Workshop will also be used to give input to the strategic
policy studies on national biotechnology innovation systems to
start towards the end of 2007. Stakeholders will also be able
to make contributions to the ongoing discussion on the
Programme’s future management structure and legal status
beyond 2009.
The workshop program shall focus on the
following clusters of presentations/discussion fora:
-
BIO-EARN country presentations on the
current status of biotechnology Research and Development
activities, and enabling policies for promoting
biotechnology innovations;
-
Global and regional overview on
innovation systems in biotechnology as well as
institutional experiences in the application of
biotechnology
-
Presentations on activities of all
the five BIO-EARN projects as well as on results of
various strategic biotechnology studies undertaken.
-
Options and ways for the Programme to
increase its impact on biotechnology innovation in
Eastern Africa
-
A display of posters from BIO-EARN
graduates/alumni on Research and Development activities
undertaken within the Programme.
-
In conjunction with the workshop,
BIO-EARN will also hold annual project planning
meetings.
Expected output
-
Recommendations on how BIO-EARN
research and policy outreach activities can promote the
development of more efficient innovation systems in the
East African region.
-
Recommendations on the BIO-EARN
Programme’s future management structure and legal
status beyond 2009.
-
Improved understanding of ongoing
R&D activities in the Programme, facilitating more
efficient networking.
Contact
For more information please contact the Secretariat:
Dr. Rose Rita Kingamkono (Secretary)
Tel: +255 2230208/2233957
Fax: +255 24 2230556
E-mail: rkingamkono@costech.or.tz
Dr. John Solomon Kasonta (Ass.
Secretary)
Tel: +255 22 2700752 (Office)
Mobile: +255 754 020570
E-mail: jskasonta@yahoo.co.uk
Physical and Postal Address:
COSTECH Building
Ali Hassan Mwinyi Road, Kijitonyama
P.O. Box 4302
DAR ES SALAAM
TANZANIA
BIO-EARN project network members need to
contact their project PIs on selection process and on how this
will be harmonized with the annual project planning meetings.
Download Regional
BIO-EARN Workshop Announcement (49KB Word doc)
