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SYNERGIES AND NETWORKING AMONG INSTITUTIONS: PREDICTINGINNOVATIONS OF THE FUTURE NEEDS OF THE ECONOMY

BY

ENGR. (PROF.) A. P. ONWUALU, FAS, F.A. EngDIRECTOR-GENERAL, RMRDC

PAPER PRESENTED AT

THE NOTAP – ISESCO REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON “ TECHNOLOGY FORESIGHT”

REIZ CONTINENTAL HOTEL, ABUJA, NIGERIA

23 – 25 FEBRUARY, 2011

Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC)No. 17, Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama District, AbujaWebsite: www.rmrdc.gov.ngEmail: ceo@rmrdc.gov.ngPhone: 07098805375

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OUTLINE

• Introduction • Innovation Institutions• Benefits of Networking among Institutions• Global Strategies to foster networking and synergy• Networking and Synergy: RMRDC Experience• Challenges• The Future• Conclusion

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1.0 INTRODUCTION

• Nigeria’s Vision 20:2020: to be amongst the first twenty largest economies in the world by the year 2020

• Science, Technology and Innovation are the major determinants of the level of advancement of the present first twenty largest economies

• Indicators of the advancement are: ICT, manufacturing, volume of exports and improved standard of living

• The core drivers of Vision 20:2020 are technology based• Therefore Vision 20:2020 can only be achieved if it is tied

to a sound technology Vision

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• Nigeria Innovation System is weak: weak infrasructure and human capacity; weak linkages and interactions between key players; poor or lack of Vision

• Technology and innovation are globally being accepted as key source of economic growth and competitiveness

• In order to ensure technological and hence economic competitiveness, techonology vision is increasingly being adopted as an essential element of national development strategy

• Consequently, developing a technology Vision (foresight) at this point of our national history has become imperative

• Synergy among relevant institutions is vital in realising the Vision

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2.0 INNOVATION INSTITUTIONS

• National System of Innovation play significant roles in determining current and future technology trends and needs

• Consist of three core groups operating in a triple helix (knowledge centres, Government and industry)

• Knowledge Centres

- Research Institutes

- Universities

- Polytechnics

- Colleges of Agriculture

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Innovation Institutions cont’d

- Colleges of Education

- Private Sector Laboratories/Researchers

- Development Partners, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)

• Industrial Sector - Large Scale - Medium Scale - Small Scale - Cottage Level - Micro Scale

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Innovation Institutions cont’d

• Organized Private Sector (OPS) - Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) - Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI) - Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) - Cooperatives - Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture• Government

- Federal - state- Local Government

- Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs)

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TRIPLE HELIX CONCEPT

Knowledge centre (K)

Industrial sector (I)

Government (G)

KIGGI

KS

GK

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3.0 BENEFITS OF NETWORKING/SYNERGY AMONG INSTITUTIONS

• Encourage Demand-Driven Research and Innovation

• Increase Commercialization of R&D Results

• Improve the Productivity and Competitiveness of Industries

• Mutual Benefits for Research and Industry

• Economic and Technological Development of the Country

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4.0 GLOBAL STRATEGIES TO FOSTER NETWORKING AND SYNERGY

• Technology Business Incubation

• Presidential Committee on Inventions and Innovations

• Endowment of Chairs in Higher Institutions by Industry

• National Science Foundation

• Firm-sponsored Laboratory and Scholarships

• Honorary Doctorates/Fellowships10

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Global Strategies cont’d

• Industry/University Cooperative Research Centres

• Industry/University Projects

• Science/Research/Technology Parks

• World Bank Science and Technology Education Post- Basic (STEP-B) Project

• Development Partners

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5.0 NETWORKING AND SYNERGY: RMRDC EXPERIENCE

•Funding of Demand-Driven Research and Development (R&D), Followed by Industrial Testing

•Pilot Plants and Catalytic Model Factory Programme

•Biennial Techno-Expo

•Boosting Programme (e.g. Fruits, Castor, Jatropha, Cassava, Gum Arabic, Cotton, etc.)

•Specialized Conferences/Workshops that bring Researchers and Industrialists together

•Facilitating Raw Materials Cluster Development in conjunction with knowledge centres (PACF – cashew, honey, cassava, oil palm, etc)

• National Design competition

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Networking and Synergy cont’d• Mathematical Modelling of Process

Equipment• Computer Aided Design of Process Equipment

and Plants• National Foundation for Process Equipment

Design (NAFPED)• Promoting National System of Innovation, NSI

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SOME USEFUL RESULTS OF NETWORKING/SYNERGY

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Salt Processing Plant Kilishi Processing Machine Essential Oil Production Plant

Wood Seasoning Kiln ‘A’ (Electric)Wood Seasoning Kiln ‘B’ (Firewood)

Moringa Water Treatment Plant Prototype Automated Weaving Loom

Briquetting Machines

Flash Dryer

1616 Pilot Plant for Production of Laboratory Chemicals and Reagents

Glazier Putty Mixer Melon Shelling Equipment Akwete Traditional Weaving

Silk Cloth Weaving Unit Lawyer’s Wig Weaving Unit Crank Kick Wheel

Exhibits on Display During the 2009 Techno-Expo of RMRDC

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7.0 CHALLENGES

• Poor Policy Framework

• Inadequate Funding

• Lack of Mutual Trust

• “Ivory Tower” Syndrome

• Threats from Imports

• Lack of Confidence in Local Researchers particularly by some Multinationals

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8.0 THE FUTURE• Reinforce National System of Innovation• Establish National Science and Competitiveness Foundation• Collaboration among Heads of Institutions

- Vice Chancellors (CVC)- Rectors- Provosts- Chief Executives of Research Institutions (CODRI)- MAN- NACCIMA- NASME- NASSI

• Operationalize National Research Coordinating Council18

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9.0 CONCLUSION • For Science, Technology and Innovation to play a

pivotal role in national development, Innovation Institutions must forge partnerships among themselves and with other stakeholders in the economy

• Such partnerships should come up with clear visions on where the country should be heading to in terms of technology and innovation

• Clear targets should be set and pursued by institutions in synergy with others

• These can be achieved by operationalizing the National Research Coordinating Council

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THANK YOU

•RMRDC – Adding Value to Nigeria’s Raw Material Resources

•Winner of 2009 National Productivity Merit Award

Website: www.rmrdc.gov.ng Email: ceo@rmrdc.gov.ng Phone: 07098805375

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