With the organization of this third edition of the Conference of Vice-Chancellors and Deans of Science, Engineering and Technology (COVIDSET), the African Network of Scientific and Technological Institutions, ANSTI, is affirming its commitment to make this forum of African leaders responsible for university training and research, an important and regular platform for exchange, debate of ideas, capacity-building and design of concrete actions to improve the impact of high-level training and research on Africa’s development. 

The theme of COVIDSET 2009, feeds on the logic of the first two previous conferences, which were held on the issues of education, specifically the “State of Science and Technology Training Institutions” (COVIDSET 2005) and “Science and Engineering Education for Sustainable Development”  (COVIDSET 2007). COVIDSET 2009 aims at dwelling on the issue of science and technology research and its deployment to serve society. 

While most scholars widely agree on the important contribution of science and technology research in accelerating development in most advanced and emerging economies, such contribution can only come about when the outcomes of research are successfully deployed to serve development needs. Africa, unfortunately lack substantive evidence on the role that research has been playing in its development, because of the relatively small part of technology related activities in its GDP. Indeed, Africa’s economies are largely basic commodity-driven. 

Scholars agree that among the many challenges that the Science, Engineering, Technology and Research (SETR) sector face on the continent, inadequate or lack of policy, regulatory barriers or uncertainties, and unrealistic strategies are prominent. While addressing policy and regulation gaps often relate to the existence of a determined political will, designing adequate strategies call for more technical capacities that are critically weak on the continent. Thus, the role of university and research scholars should be emphasized, especially when it comes to improving their working environment and establishing the pertinence of research to the African society. 

On the wake of increasing challenges faced by African countries in achieving sustainable development and becoming visible players in the global economy, revitalizing S&T research, and emphasizing deployment of scientific and technological innovations appear as the most promising paths for African economies to attain a level of global competitiveness. 

Fortunately, there are numerous examples in Africa and around the world of successful policies, regulations and strategies for undertaking vibrant research and deploying efficiently the products of research and innovation to impact economies. Such cases need to be shared and lessons drawn for the continent. 

Many high-level fora of scientists in Africa, such as the Congress of African Scientist and Policy-makers (CASP) convened by the African Union, and the 2007 Africa Union Summit of Head of States and Governments have acknowledged the low level of funding and investment for research in Africa. Overcoming this well-recognized fact, require more reflection on the causes, and moreover, developing concrete recommendations on means and ways to overcome this challenge.  Consequently the conference proposes to discuss the main theme along the line of the three sub-themes announced below.

Objectives of the Conference 

The conference aims at providing a forum for discussing the main theme, along the lines of three sub-themes. It should contribute to increasing the capacities of the participants and collect innovative ideas on means and ways to address the challenges for revitalizing S&T research and deployment through effective policy, regulations and strategies. 

The main theme is:Revitalizing Science and Technology Research and Deployment for Sustainable Development in Africa: Strategic, Policy and Regulation Challenges. 

The sub-themes are: 

1.        Science and Technology Research and Deployment Strategies: Case studies

2.        Research and Engineering Policy and Regulation for Sustainable Development

3.        Harnessing alliance and partnership for strengthening training and research in Africa

4.        Investment in Research, Engineering and Technology Deployment for Sustainable Development. 

Expected Outcomes 

It is expected that the conference would achieve the following outcomes:

·          Strengthening the capacity of the participants for understanding and influencing the process of designing policy, regulations and strategies for revitalizing S&T research and deployment in Africa;

·          Drafting of actionable recommendations and a plan of action for revitalizing African S&T research and deployment; The main outcomes of the conference would be summarized in the proceedings of the conference.