ATPS
news

A New s l e t t e r o f t h e A f r i c a Te c hnology Policy Studies Network

In a post Rio+20 world
Building Africa’s Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Capacity Today
for Sustainable African Development Tomorrow
Issue No. 27 May 2013

In this issue...
4. 2012 ATPS Annual Conference
5. ATPS participates in the 1st Bio-Innovate
Regional Scientific Conference
5. Women and Youth in STI
6. Bio-Economy through Policy in Eastern
Africa
6. ATPS Participates in UNESCO’s Science
Policy Workshop
Photo courtesy: IRIN News

7. ATPS launches new Chapters
8. Spotlight on Chapters & Focal PointsT2012 ATPS Annual Conference Reflects
on a Post-Rio+20 Future

he African Technology Policy
Studies Network (ATPS) and its
partners
expressed
optimismthat the outcomes of the Rio+20
conferences would deliver greater
global commitment to sustainable
development, a move that is likely to
encourage developed countries toincrease development aid to Africa.

Sustainable
Development:
GlobalImperatives and African realities”.

Hosted at the new Africa Union
Commission, Ethiopia, the conference
urged African countries to undertake
strategic transformative reforms in its
Science, Technology and Innovation(STI) knowledge structures, institutions
and governance structures, agricultural
This was at the ATPS annual conference and resources systems research, intrawhich was held from19 – 23 November Africa cooperation as well as knowledge
2012, themed “Emerging Paradigms, circulation and networks.
Technologies and Innovations for
CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

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10. ATPS News Round UP
13. Side events at RIO+20
14. ATPS Publications Series
15. Staff highlights

16. Pictorial
17. Farewell Prof. Abeeku

A New s l e t t e r o f t h e A f r i c a Te c hnology Policy Studies Network

ATPS News
Produced by African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS)
Executive Producer
Prof. Kevin Urama
Editor
Evelyn Otieno
Design and layout/Creative Direction
Sarah Wakasa

All Correspondence to:
ATPS News
African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS)
3rd Floor, The Chancery, Valley Road
P.O. Box 10081-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: +254-20-2714092/2714498/2723800
Fax: +254-20-2714028
To subscribe to our newsletters please send your name, organization and address to communications@atpsnet.
org

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A New s l e t t e r o f t h e A f r i c a Te c hnology Policy Studies NetworkWelcome to issue 27 of the ATPS news. This issue sheds light into apost Rio+20 world which has informed the ATPS 2013 agenda
which goes beyond policy formulation-and adoption-to
implementation across Africa.
This issue ushers in the ATPS Phase VII Strategic Plan which articulates
the ATPS Vision for economic prosperity based on home grown STI
knowledge in Africa. This will be achieved through increased Africawide and Diaspora Knowledge Generation and Brokerage, Outreach,
Science Communication and Policy Advocacy.
The new USA and Australian ATPS chapters are indeed a step in the right
direction. The chapters will play a pivotal role in linking the academia,
private sector actors, civil society and governments across the USA,
Africa and Australia.

From theeditorialdesk...

Also highlighted is the status of STI policies in Eastern Africa as well asan account of year-round activities in our various chapters and focal
points.
It is with grief that the ATPS network announces the death of Prof.
Abeeku Brew Hammond, the first ATPS Ghana Chapter Coordinator.
We deeply express our condolences to the late Prof. Abeeku’s family
and the ATPS Ghana for this great loss.
We are excited to present to you the UNESCO Science report and theAfrican Manifesto in our publications series section. As we aim to foster
a bio-economy through policy, track the progress of the ATPS BIPCEA
program, other programs and upcoming activities lined up for 2013by the able ATPS secretariat staff without whom this issue would nothave been a success.
Finally, we welcome feedback through the email address provided.
We are always excited to keep you reading.

Evelyn Otieno
Communications & Outreach Officer

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A New s l e t t e r o f t h e A f r i c a Te c hnology Policy Studies Network

2012 ATPS Annual Conference
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

African leaders and researchers deliberate on emerging
paradigms, technologies and innovations for sustainable
development“...the continent
generally lags behind
her peers in skills
and competencies
required to fully
reap the benefits
afforded by STI for its
development...

Delegates at the 2012 ATPS Annual Conference held in Addi Ababa,
Ethiopia, November 2012. Below The Opening session of the 2012 ATPS
Annual Conference.

The
conference
also
calledupon African countries to adopt
development
pathwaysthatenhance wealth creation forinclusive
green
growthanddevelopment.
“Without aggressive policies andcommitment to build endogenous
capacities on the continent, Africa
will remain a knowledge consumer
and not a knowledge producer inthe third industrial revolution,” said
Prof. Kevin Urama, the Executive
Director of ATPS.
Though Africa’s scientific capacities
and GDP growth has improved during
the past decade, technologicaland innovation capacities remain
low and the requisite institutionaland governance infrastructures are
just emerging.
“Whereas there are pockets
of success in application of STI
including the mobile telephonyand telecommunications, among
other fields, which significantly
contributed to sustained economic
growth in the continent during
the past decade, the continent

generally lags behind her peers in skills
and competencies required to fully
reap the benefits afforded by STI for its
development,” he added.
This was reiterated by Prof. Shaukat
Abdulrazak, the chairperson of the
ATPS board and the Chief Executive
Officer/Secretary of the Kenya National
Council for Science and Technology
when he said,“There is need for Africa to build homegrown technologies and innovations forsustainable development”.
It was resolved that Africa should keep
up with global social, economic andenvironmental
developments
andadopt production structures that would
deliver jobs and increase incomes.
ThoughAfrica’sdevelopment
efforts have not led to sustainable
development,
theconference
examined the existing structures,
barriers and opportunities and provided
options for sustainable development in
Africa.

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The conference is the mostinclusive event held eachyear to discuss Africa’s
Science, Technology andInnovation trends anddevelopment

A New s l e t t e r o f t h e A f r i c a Te c hnology Policy Studies Network

ATPS participates in the first Bio-Innovate
Regional Scientific Conference
ATPS is examining thecurrent status of STI
policies in different
countries in East Africa
namely: Burundi, Kenya,
Ethiopia, Rwanda andTanzania.

By Evelyn OtienoA

TPS participated in thefirst Bio-Innovate Regional
Scientific
Conferenceat the United Nations
Economic Commission for Africa(UNECA), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
from 25 – 27, February 2013.
During the conference the ATPS
Presented a paper titled, ‘The
Status of Science, Technology
and Innovation (STI) Policies in
Eastern Africa’. The paper iscurrently being revised for possible
publication in a proceeding.

Participants during theConference

In its presentation, the ATPS reported
that the it is examining the current
status of Science, Technology andInnovation policies in different countries
in East Africa namely: Burundi, Kenya,
Ethiopia, Rwanda and Tanzania.
The ATPS observed that, hough many
policies have been found to guide thedevelopment and implementation ofresearch based policies, most of thesepolicies are not fully implemented,
and hence the need to go beyond
policy formulation-and adoption-to
implementation.

The ATPS also presented aposter titled ‘Enhancing Value
Chain
Development
in
BioResource
Innovation
through
Entrepreneurship Skills Training’, amove which elicited feedback, withmost stakeholders showing interest
to be trained on entrepreneurship.
The conference culminated intoa request to ATPS to developatechno-economic
analysis
template for other projects within
the Bio-Innovate Program.

UPCOMING EVENT

Women and Youth in STI
The conference
will highlighttechnologicalinnovations by
women and youth
leaders in Africa.

The ATPS in partnership with
Woodrow Wilson International
Center for Scholars will hold aconference aimed at strengthening
capacities of women and youth
through innovation.
Themed‘WomenandYouthas Drivers of Change throughTechnology and Innovation’, theevent will take place on 1 May 2013.

The conference will highlight technologicalinnovations by women and youth leadersin Africa. This will grow and strengthen
the network between current and newgenerations of women and youth leaders
in technology and innovation.
A recent report from the International
Center for Research on women indicatesthat use of technology increased female
users’ productivity, enabled them topursue new entrepreneurial opportunities
and ultimately improved their economic
opportunities (ICR, 2012).
This will compliment ATPS programmes
namely: the African Youth Forum for
Science and Technology (AYFST) and theAfrican Women Forum for Science andTechnology (AWFST), all aimed at building
confidence in the generation, use,mastery and self governance of African
STI for African development.

5d Youth as
Them: Women an
through
Drivers of Change
ovation’, theTechnology and Inne in May 2013.
event will take plac

Venue:
International
Woodrow Wilson
rs, USA
Center for Schola
Date:
1 May 2013

A New s l e t t e r o f t h e A f r i c a Te c hnology Policy Studies Network

Bio-Economy through Policy inEastern Africa
Taking stock of the BIPCEA project
By Sarah WakasaTheAfricanTechnology
Policy Studies Network (ATPS)
participated in a Bioscience
Innovation Policy Consortiumfor Eastern Africa (BIPCEA) project
meeting.
HeldinBagamoyo,
Tanzania
from 15-18 January 2013, this is
the fourth monitoring, evaluationand planning meeting under the
project, which is supported by the
Swedish International Development
Cooperation Agency (SIDA) throughthe bio-innovate Program.
BIPCEA is a partnership consortium
under the Bio-Innovate Programs in
East Africa. It aims to foster a bioeconomy through policy and toprovide effective policy support

to other Bio-Innovate projects inEastern Africa.
The project comprises of nine otherpartner institutions namely the ATPS;
Kenya National Council for Scienceand Technology (KNCST); Tanzania
Commissionfor
ScienceandTechnology (COSTECH); Uganda
National Council for Science andTechnology (UNCST); Ministry of
Science and Technology-Ethiopia
and the Addis Ababa UniversityEthiopia;
theDirectorateof
Science, Technology and Research(DSTR) - Rwanda; International
Livestock Research Institute (ILRI);
Stockholm Environment Institute(SEI); and the International Service
for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech
Applications (ISAAA).

Progress
The ATPS reported that it had
conducted the first entrepreneurshiptraining in May 2012 in Nairobi.
The training of trainers’ workshop
was attended by 20 trainees from
Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda,
Ethiopia and Burundi. In addition,plans are underway to hold asecond training in Ethiopia later in2013 with additional funding support
from the Bio-Innovate Project.
The trainings are part of the ATPS
activities under the project. Other
activities include reviewing the status
of STI in Eastern Africa, developmentof an entrepreneurship training
manual for scientists; and training of
scientists to acquire entrepreneurial
skills necessary for commercializationof innovation.

ATPS & UNESCOATPS Participates in UNESCO’s
Science Policy Workshop“Better governanceon Science,
Technology andInnovation (STI)”
By Jacinta Kahi

The ATPS participated in a science
policy workshop organised by
UNESCO’s Division for Science
Policy and Sustainable Development
in collaboration with countries
from West and Central Africa.
The workshop held from 12-14
March 2013 at Novotel Hotel in
Dakar, Senegal aimed to analyse
STI and policy instruments inline with the conference theme“Better governance on Science,
Technology and Innovation (STI).
Alongside ATPS, the workshop was
also attended by policy makers
in STI, development partners, theacademia and government officials
from Burundi, Burkina Faso, Côte

Conference participants UNESCO’s Science Policy Workshop
d’Ivoire, Gabon, Niger and Senegal.
Key in the deliberations wascollection, evaluation and monitoringof STI systems within the frameworkof international initiatives such as
the Global Observatory on Science,
Technology and Innovation Policy
Instruments (GO-SPIN) and Science,
Technology and Innovation Global
Assessment Programme (STIGAP).

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The conference culminated into
the formation of a task force
charged with the responsibility ofgenerating STI country profiles tobe integrated into online platforms.

A New s l e t t e r o f t h e A f r i c a Te c hnology Policy Studies Network

ATPS launches new
Chapters
Australian Chapter launch
By Jacinta Kahi and Nelson Akenga

T

he African Technology Policy Studies Network incollaboration with Murdoch University launched
the ATPS Australian Chapter on 27th of August 2012at Murdoch University’s Senate Room, bringing thetotal number of ATPS Chapters to 30.
The ATPS Australian chapter becomes the principal
channel through which talented African-Australians
from the academia, business, civil society andgovernment will engage with Africa. This will play apivotal role in linking Murdoch University with these
professionals across Africa, Europe, North America andAsia.

High Level Policy Round Table at the launch of ATPS Australian national chapter, Murdoch University, Perth, Australia, 27
August 2012.

The new chapter will push forward the ATPS agenda
by tackling social science, health, agriculture, mineralscience and environmental issues, all which revolvearound major ATPS themes as well as coincide with
Murdoch’s research engagements with Africa.

ultimately contribute to policy development, a key
program of the ATPS. Murdoch University will also geta platform to academically engage and interact withprofessionals all over the world who are committed tosustainable development.

Social science, for instance will handle socio-politicaldimensions of science, technology and innovation and

USA Chapter launch
By Jacinta Kahi and Evelyn Otieno

Policymakers, researchers, private
sector actors and the civil society
in the United States were sensitizedon the role of STI for sustainable
development in Africa.

The African Technology Policy Studies Network
launched its USA chapter in a colourful eventat the Woodrow Wilson International Centre for
Scholars, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington
DC. The event which was held on 8 June 2012
featured a round table discussion on the roleof Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) in
addressing development challenges in Africa.
In attendance were Dr. Henrietta Ukwu, Senior vice
President - Pharmaceutical Product Development
USA; Bill Brieger, Professor of Health Systems Research- John Hopkins University; Woodrow Wilson centerand ATPS, represented by Prof. Shaukat Abdulrazak,
Prof. Tuner Isoun and Prof. Kevin Urama.
In the forum, policymakers, researchers, private
sector actors and the civil society in the United States
were sensitized on the role of STI for sustainable
development in Africa. In a defining moment,Group Photo at the ATPS-USA launch 08 June 2012,
Woodrow Wilson International Centre for Scholars,
Washington DC, USA

the African Manifesto for Science Technology andInnovation was presented to the US policy makers
and stakeholders. In addition, key stakeholders in the
USA National System of Innovation were identified in abid to drive Diaspora involvement in Africa’s STI policy
research agenda to effectively address its nationaland regional development plans.
This ATPS chapter like other Diaspora chapters will
give African scientists, technologists and innovatorsin the Diaspora a forum to build effective networks,
linkages and partnerships with their counterparts in
Africa for mutual benefits. Through this chapter, ATPS
will strengthen its knowledge brokerage between
knowledge generators in the Diaspora and policy
makers, the private sector actors as well as local
communities in Africa.

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A New s l e t t e r o f t h e A f r i c a Te c hnology Policy Studies Network

Spotlight on Chapters & Focal Points
S

ATPS Benin

The ATPS Benin chapter activities in 2012 focusedon training in and lobbying for biotechnology for
francophone West-Africa. The chapter undertooka research on climate change induced floodin northern Benin. In addition, young chapter
members enrolled for PhD on health policy, due tobe completed in 2014.
The chapter also commemorated the African
Scientific Revival Day and engaged in African
Youth Forum for Science and Technology activities
through the ATPS program AYFST. Currently ongoingare several policy researches as well as exchangeof experiences and advocacy. One example is
the Joint Learning about Innovation Systems in
African Agriculture (JOLISAA), being conducted in
Benin, Kenya and South-Africa. Also ongoing is the
public-private partnership on STI research in Benin.

ATPS Cameroon
The ATPS-Cameroon chapter relocated to a new
office space at the Higher Institute of Applied Medical
Sciences. The chapter elected a new executive andsteering committee to manage specific chapter
activities. Apart from providing important linkages,
the Chapter made contributions to the Biennial
Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Africa Report
produced by the ATPS secretariat for UNESCO.

ATPS Ethiopia
The ATPS Ethiopian chapter identified areas forcollaboration with STI stakeholders in Ethiopia. This was
through an Ethiopian STI stakeholders’ forum organizedby the chapter to deliberate on the state of STI in Ethiopia.
The chapter which has 52 members comprising ofacademicians, researchers, policymakers and experts
in agriculture and health, conducted a survey on thestate of Science Technology and Innovation (STI) in
Ethiopia. The survey identified key innovation actors in
Ethiopia, the level of interaction among them, the legal
infrastructure and the policy framework governing STI as
well as challenges facing innovation system in Ethiopia.

ATPS Liberia

The ATPS Liberian chapter was launched in a colourful
event at the Faulkner College of Science andTechnology on 22 June 2012. This event coincided withthe commemoration of the Science, Technology andInnovation Day in Liberia.
The ATPS secretariat gave a speech on “The Critical Roleof Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) in National
Growth and Development”. The event culminated intoa press conference and a radio interview at Lux FM, on
the role of STI in National growth and development. The
rest of the year was marked with a series of meetings withthe minister for education, chair of Vision 2030 and otherstakeholders in STI. The agenda in these meetings was theintegration of STI in Liberia’s national agenda.

T

ATPS Sudan

he ATPS Sudan chapter was officially launched in aparliamentary round table in Khartoum, Sudan from16 - 17th January 2012. Top on the roundtable agenda
was a discussion on the role of Science, Technology andInnovation (STI) in achieving Sudan’s National Development
Agenda and the wider Millennium Development Goals.
The roundtable was attended by policy makers, NGOs,
private sector actors, research institutions, and civil society
organizations from Sudan. Prior to this, a stakeholders’analysis was conducted to arrive at a list of participants inthe parliamentary roundtable.

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A New s l e t t e r o f t h e A f r i c a Te c hnology Policy Studies Network

S

Spotlight on Chapters & Focal Points
ATPS Uganda
The ATPS Ugandan chapter commemorated the African
Scientific Revival Day in a colourful event graced by
Uganda’s Minister for Agriculture, Hon. Zerubabel Nyiira.
The ceremony was attended by 100 delegates drawn
from research institutions, civil society organizations,members of parliament, the media and the private
sector.
The day was used to domesticate the African Science
Manifesto in line with the event theme: ‘Strengthening
Linkages between Policy Research and Policy Making
for Ugandan Development’. The chapter organized
a two-day Training of Trainers which was attended by
43 trainees from the academia, research institutions,industry, private sector, government agencies, andthe media. The chapter continues to implement theIntellectual Property (IP) program and other programmes
under the ATPS strategic plan.

ATPS Nigeria
The ATPS Nigerian chapter conducted a workshop on
trans-disciplinarity, teaching methods, research proposal
writing, and university research policy at the university of
Nigeria.
This workshop which took place from 5 - 6 March 2012
was attended by delegates drawn from the university’s
academic staff. The delegates were trained on theconcept and methods of trans-disciplinarity, academic
research analysis and management of research proposals.
Chaired by the deputy vice chancellor-academics Prof
Asuzu, the workshop took the delegates though methodsof teaching relevant to climate change as well as how
to change their curriculum to achieve this. A proposed
curriculum for Masters on Science and PhD programmes
on climate change economics, policy and innovation
was presented and reviewed. This is poised to shape thetraining of researchers for more informed policy making.

The ATPS network functions throughNational Chapters in 30 countries (27African and 3 Diaspora chapters). The
National Chapters operate under National
Coordinators who provide intellectual andadministrative leadership at country level.

ATPS South Africa
The ATPS South African chapter signed a contract with
Sustainability Institute (SI) Projects, to undertake research
on SI-ATPS projects giving rise to the Science and Policy
for Sustainability project. Commenced on 20 July 2012,
the project aims to determine challenges of STI with aview of providing scientific knowledge that supports
government actions in mitigating and adapting toclimate change.

ATPS USA

The ATPS-USA chapter in collaboration with the Woodrow
Wilson International Center for Scholars jointly organizeda one-day policy roundtable attended by African STIpractitioners in the Diaspora. Held in October 2012, themeeting discussed the roles of Africans in the Diaspora;and friends of Africa in the USA, in ATPS strategic planning.
This is aimed at STI policy research and practice in Africa
in a post Rio+20 World.

9A New s l e t t e r o f t h e A f r i c a Te c hnology Policy Studies NetworkS

ATPS NEWS

Round upAfrican Leadership Dialogue in Australia
The ATPS participated in an African leadershipplanning conference in Perth, Western Australia
on 30 August 2012. The conference is part of theAustralia Mining for Development Initiative launchedby the Australian Prime Minister in October 2011.
This initiative aims to assist developing countries totranslate their resource endowment into significant
and sustainable development.
ATPS Australian chapter deliberates on Africa’s
Mining Vision
An Africa-Australian Research Forum was convenedby the ATPS Australian chapter to deliberate on
the significance and implementation of Africa’s
Mining Vision. The vision entails among other things
the identification of research priorities for Africanmining industries and exploring global corporate
accountability initiatives.
Held on 28th August 2012 in Perth, Western Australia,
the forum was attended by the ATPS, mining
companies, academia, NGOs, and government
representatives from Kenya and Australia. The
delegates explored Africa’s Mining Vision andpotential partnerships between Australia andAfrica to undertake valuable research. Also
discussed were infrastructure needs as well as thepotential that mining and agriculture holds for
Africa’s economic development.

Catalyzing and Driving Change through African
Innovation
Results of an assessment conducted by ATPS on
Carbon for Poverty Reduction initiatives in Africa
was presented at the Rockefeller Foundation’s
Grantees convening which took place from 15th
to 17th August 2012. The meeting brought together
leaders, dignitaries and policy makers from thegovernment, donors the NGO and private sector
to share and exchange knowledge and expertise
gained through various grants.

In its presentation, the ATPS noted that Science,
Technology and Innovation (STI) can create acomprehensive and internally-consistent approachto national planning and development across
Africa. This development can be in economic
management and governance, security and theenvironment, health and education, infrastructure,rural development, and income generation.

ATPS Fosters Social Innovation in Africa
The ATPS rolled out a project aimed at Understanding
and Fostering Social Innovation in Africa. Fundedby the Rockefeller Foundation, the project aims toadvance the understanding of social innovation
among policymakers, science experts, the private
sector and civil society in Africa. The project willdraw on existing knowledge and enhance theunderstanding of current knowledge on social
innovation in Africa, and its relationships with ongoing research, science, technology, innovationand policy making process in Africa.
This will include a research on the use of concepts
in mainstream innovation studies and policy
processes; the different degrees to the concepts;
similarities as well as differences in understandingof the concept within Africa and beyond. The
project will also identify barriers to and opportunities
for mainstreaming social innovation in STI policy
research as well as research and development
funding in Africa.
As part of the project, the ATPS organized aroundtable of policymakers, researchers, private
sector actors, practitioners and key development
partners to identify and prioritize strategies formainstreaming social innovation in research anddevelopment and policy planning for African
development. This event was held as a parallel
program during the 2012 ATPS Annual Conference
and Workshops from 19th to 22nd November 2012 in
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Improving Low Carbon Energy Access in Less
Developed Countries

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A New s l e t t e r o f t h e A f r i c a Te c hnology Policy Studies Network

ATPS NEWS

Round up

The ATPS in partnership with the University of Sussex
in the UK is implementing a project to Improve
Low Carbon Energy Access in Less Developed
Countries. Funded by the Climate Development
Knowledge Network – an initiative of UK DFID,
the project aims to inform the development of
Climate Innovation Centres in various developing
countries. This project will analyze the history andactors involved in the adoption of solar homesystems in Kenya. The objective is to improve theability of policy to facilitate the transfer and use of
low carbon technologies in developing countries
for the achievement of pro poor economic
development and improved access to modern
energy services.
The ATPS has continually engaged in a seriesof events under the project. For instance, it
participated in the second international workshop
on Low Carbon Energy for Development heldfrom 10th to 11th September 2012 at the Universityof Sussex. This workshop was organized as part of
the LCEDN, which is funded by the UK Departmentof Energy and Climate Change and also partof the CDKN funded ATPS - University of Sussex
Collaborative Project.
During the workshop, the ATPS presented a Keynote
paper on ‘Low carbon energy for development:
which pathways to energy for all?’ The ATPS has
established that policymakers, researchers andpractitioners - including producers, marketers,
retailers and users are the key actors in solar
home systems in Kenya and will participate indeveloping the history of solar home systems in
Kenya. The project was launched at the 2012 ATPS
Annual Conference and Workshops held from 1922 November in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) for
Youth Employment, Human Capital and Inclusive
GrowthThe ATPS participated in an African forum on STI foryouth employment, human capital development
and inclusive growth. The forum, jointly organized
by UNESCO, the African Development Bank, theAfrican Union Commission and the UN Economic
Commission was held in Nairobi, Kenya from 1-3
April 2012.

Participants shared ideas and experiences withexperts from different countries on how innovation,
can be used to achieve regional and national
development. The forum which was also attended
by the former Kenyan president Hon. Mwai Kibaki,featured a two-day expert meeting and a ministerial
conference led by the Director-General of UNESCO
and the president of the African Development
Bank.
Also in attendance was the African Youth Forumon Science and Technology (AYFST) which is a
program of ATPS. In its presentation, AYFST called
for the proactive support for the implementation of
the Nairobi Ministerial Declaration. The declaration
represents the position of African Ministers incharge of STI, Finance, Planning, and Education aspresented in this conference.
ATPS participates in the ‘State of the Planet’
declaration
The ATPS participated in an international conferenceof global scientists that yielded to the “State of
the Planet” declaration, a precursor to the United
Nations conference on sustainable development(Rio+20).
Specifically, the ATPS took part in a roundtable oncommunicating climate policy. The roundtable
which was organized by the Climate Strategies
Network sought to interpret Economic andIntegrated Assessment Model (IAM) results andanalysis of global emissions pathways.
Dubbed ‘Planet Under Pressure 2012’, theconference focused on solutions to global
sustainability in a series of round tables which ran
from 26-29 March.
ATPS appointed in Green Growth and poverty
reduction task force
The ATPS was appointed to the Organization of
Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)task team on Green Growth and poverty reduction.
This was in a task team meeting which took placeon 2 March at the OECD headquarters in Paris,
France.

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A New s l e t t e r o f t h e A f r i c a Te c hnology Policy Studies NetworkS
ATPS will facilitate the OECD on green growthand development. The OECD provides a forum
for governments to compare and exchange
policy experiences, identify good practices andpromote better policies for better lives. It also
provides a forum where donor governments andmultilateral organizations discuss development
co-operation
approaches,policiesandprogrammes.
ATPS Collaboration in UNESCO Global Science
Report 2010
The ATPS collaborated with experts across Africa
to lead the sub-Saharan Africa chapter of the
UNESCO Science report for the period 2006
to 2010. The ATPS translated the report into a
French version which it disseminates at different
STI, youth, gender, inclusive growth and otherdevelopment forums. An example of forums
through which the report was disseminated is thefirst African forum on STI for youth employment,
human capital development and inclusive
growth held in Nairobi, Kenya from 1-3 April,
2012.
Towards a green economy
The ATPS participated in an international
forum in Brazil, to reflect on the challenges
and contributions for a Green Economy. The
conference was organized by the International
Society for Ecological Economics (ISSE), an
organization that advances understanding ofrelationships among ecological, social, andeconomic systems. Held between 16-18 June2012 in Rio de Janeiro, the conference featured
panel discussions, round-table discussions,posters and presentations by global scientists.
Emerging at the conference was the fact thatthough efforts to achieve a green economy
held significant prospects, discontent, inequality
and exclusion was bound to arise with green
growth. It was concluded that cross-disciplinary
approaches to green growth should be
implemented to achieve sustainable, inclusive
and environmentally regenerative development.

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ATPS participation in Side
Events at RIO+ 20
ATPS Discusses Natural Capital andEconomic Development at Rio+20

T

he ATPS participated in side events at theUnited Nations conference on sustainable
development (Rio+20) in Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil. Top in the agenda was mainstreamingof natural capital and relevant ecosystemservices into the decisions of institutions thatdrive development policy, rules, plans andinvestment.
A policy dialogue titled “Natural Capital andEconomic Development: Bridging or Breaking?”
is one of the discussions featured at the side
events. Alongside the ATPS, other institutions
represented in this panel include the Chief
Ecosystem Services Unit, DEPI, UNEP; The Federal
Environment Agency, Germany; Ministry ofPlanning and Investment, Vietnam and theMinistry of Planning and the Economy, Trinidad& Tobago.
The ATPS opined that there is an urgent need forsustainable management of natural resourcesand ecosystem services, which are all importantfor economic development and the wellbeingof people and the planet.

The need for more economic approaches
targeting policies to ensure action from all
stakeholders in preserving ecosystem services
for human society was the emerging consensus
at the end of the event.

ATPS Shares Solutions for Sustainable
Development
The ATPS attended a Rio+20 side event organizedby the International Institute for Environmentand Development (IIED), UK between 16-18
June 2012. In a session titled ‘Sharing Solutionsfor Sustainable Development’, delegatesdiscussed forestry, business capacity andinvestment; and how they can be used toachieve sustainable development.
It was concluded that there is need forsustainable approaches to forestry, equity andrespect for ecological limits. Some of the ways
to achieve this would be through strengthened
business capacities and investment for locallycontrolled farm-forestry.

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A New s l e t t e r o f t h e A f r i c a Te c hnology Policy Studies Network

ATPS PUBLICATION SERIESATPS Annual Report 2011

Report of the Entrepreneurship Skills
Training for Bioscientists in Eastern
AfricaScience,Technology
andInnovations for Africa Development

2012

Edited by Prof. Kevin UramaREPORT OF THE ENTREPRENEURSHIPTRAINING FOR BIOSCIENTISTS IN
EASTERN AFRICA

This report presents a summaryof the STI capacity building
activities and financial positionof the African Technology Policy
Studies Network (ATPS) Secretariat
for the period 01 January 2011
to 31 December 2011.The reportis organized under the strategic
objectives outlined in the ATPS
Annual Work plan for the period
01 January – 31 December 2011 asapproved by the ATPS Board andour development partners.

African Technology Policy Studies Networkrk

Annual Report 2011
1

UNESCO Science Report 2010 The
Current Status of Science around
the World
The Current Status of Science

BIPCEA PARTNERS

ATPS

NCST

B> C

DCE F $

MOsT

UNCST

COSTECH

Entrepreneurship
SkillsManual for Scientists             

The training manual was produced
as part of the implementation of
ATPS mandates under the Biosciences Innovation Policy Consortium for Eastern Africa (BIPCEA)
partnership Project. It is a booklet of
instructions , designed to improve
the quality of entreprenusrship inbio-sciences innovations.

BIPCEA PARTNERSATPSEmerging paradigms,
Technologies and Innovations for
Sustainable Development: Global
imperatives and African Realities  ISAAA  

AAU

DSTR

ILRI

SEI

MOsT

UNCST

COSTECH

Proceedings of the 2011 ATPS
AnnualConferenceandWorkshops
Edited by Prof. Kevin
NicholasOzor,
Acheampong

Edited by Prof. Kevin Urama, Dr.
Kelali Tekle NCST  

Strengthening Linkages between
Policy Research and Policymaking

ATPS Annual Conference
Programme and Book of
Abstracts:     

Training

2012

ENTREPRENEURSHIP SKILLSTRAINING MANUALFOR SCIENTISTS

Author / publishing institution:
UNESCO Reference Works series
A detailed overview ofthedevelopments
that
have
characterized
the global andregionalscientificresearch,
innovation and higher education
areas over the last five years. The
report shows that more countries
are contrinbuting in science,researchanddevelopment
as international networks andresearch partnerships allow andencourage global participation.
ATPS contributed a chapter.

The report details the two-day training workshop on Entrepreneurship
Skills for Bio-Scientists in Eastern Africa under the Project Bio Science
Innovation Policy Consortium for
Eastern Africa (BIPCEA). The main
aim of the training was to enable
Scientists from other projects in the
Bio-Innovate Programme acquaintthemselves with requisite skills on
enterprise establishment, management and operations, Techno-economic feasibility, due diligence andtechnology licensing among others.

Urama,
ErnestThis proccedings detail the findingsof the conference which was heldfrom 07 – 11 November 2011 at the
Mombasa Continental Resort in
Mombasa, Kenya. The conference
engaged a dynamic mix ofscientists, policy-makers, sciencejournalists and policy researchadvisors in stimulating debates
addressing the gap between
policy research and policymaking
with a view to designing aproactive way forward for bridging
this gap for African development

The book contains the
programme and abstracts of
speakers during the Annual
Conference held in 2012 in the
New AUC conference Center.
The overall purpose of theconference was to criticallyexamine the current conditions,barriers and opportunities in
the above thematic areasand provide policy options fortransitions to more inclusive
sustainable development in
Africa.

Compiled by Sarah Wakasa

14

A New s l e t t e r o f t h e A f r i c a Te c hnology Policy Studies Network

ATPS Sectretariat Staff Highlights
New staff members
Dr. Edith Kirumba
Research Officer – Post doctorate
B. Environmental Studies (Kenya, First Class Honours); MSc. Environmental Studies(Kenya); Ph.D. in Human Geography (University of Bordeaux 3 – France). Edith
is a Post-Doctoral Research Officer at the African Technology Policy Studies
Network (ATPS) in Nairobi, Kenya, where she undertakes research, capacity
building programs, and fundraising activities. She is also the project coordinator
for the African Women Forum for Science and Technology (AWFST). Edith hasover seven years of experience in research having worked in international
research programs focusing on environmental sustainability, agroforestry,
climate change, eco-certification, gender, rural livelihoods, and agricultural
markets, among others. Prior to joining ATPS, Edith was a doctoral research
fellow at the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) in Nairobi, Kenya. She has
worked within collaborative research projects hosted by Kenyatta University,
Technoserve Inc, the International Livestock Research Institute and the FrenchInstitute for Research in Africa (l’Institut Francais de la Recherche en Afrique).
Edith has several publications in journals, books and conference proceedings.
She has additional experience in participatory research methods, statisticalanalysis, fund raising and capacity building. She is also a member of several
research networks such as CAAST, YPARD among others.

Ms Evelyn Otieno
Communications and Outreach Officer
Ms Evelyn Otieno is a Communications and Outreach Officer at ATPS. Evelyn
holds an MBA in Public Relations & Marketing from the University of Nairobi anda Bachelors’ degree in Communication and Media Technology from Maseno
University. She has years of experience in Communication from both the NGO
and private sector.
Prior to her appointment, Evelyn worked as a Communications & Outreach
Officer at Development Media. Evelyn has also served as a Programmes
Manager - Communications and Editorials at Farm Concern International.
Evelyn has also consulted for Uwezo Kenya/Hivos, Omega Foundation, Pan
African Climate Justice Alliance, among others.

Ms Sarah Wakasa
Communications Assistant
Ms Sarah Wakasa joined the ATPS family on 1 December 2012 as aCommunications and Outreach Assistant. Sarah brings her rich years ofexperience in Communications and Outreach work.
Prior to her appointment at the ATPS she worked as the Communication/
Information Officer for the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster
Reduction, Africa. She has also worked for the African Economic ResearchConsortium (AERC) as a Publications & Communication Assistant.Sarah also
worked with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) under theDivision of Communication and Public Information (DCPI). She has also worked
as a TV reporter.
Earlier on in Daystar University, she was a student editor for several universities’
Publications and other communication material, Radio Presenter/Producer for
the Student Radio Station. Sarah has also worked as Resident Advisor (Media/
Communications) for the I Choose Life Africa.

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A New s l e t t e r o f t h e A f r i c a Te c hnology Policy Studies Network

PICTORIAL

1
2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

1. ATPS receives a standing ovation for succesfully
leading the 2012 Annual Conference.
2. Africa-Australia Research Forum, Perth, Australia, 28
August 2012
3. Partcipants at the Bioscience Innovation Policy
Consortium for Eastern Africa (BIPCEA) project
meeting in Bagamoyo, Tanzania,15-18 January 2013.
4. ATPS Board Chair & Executive Director with ATPS-USA
Steering Committee, Woodrow Wilson International
Centre for Scholars, Washington DC, USA.
5. Officials of ATPS Zambia Chapter during the chapter
re-launch in October 2012.
6. The ATPS ‘dream soccer’ team: ATPS family after a
fun and rigourous football match during the Staff
retreat in December 2012
7. ATPS’ Carol Thuku (left) joins Ernest Acheampong(ATPS Research Officer) and his wife during theirwedding in January 2013, in Ghana

16

7.

“Taking pictures is savoring life
intensely, every hundredth of asecond.” Marc Riboud

A New s l e t t e r o f t h e A f r i c a Te c hnology Policy Studies Network

Farewell Prof. Abeeku
Brew-Hammond...
Prof. Abeeku wasthe first chapter
co-ordinator in
ATPS Ghana

It is with immense grief that the ATPS family announces
the death of Prof. Abeeku Brew-Hammond. Abeeku
became the first ATPS Ghana Chapter Coordinator inthe1990s.
He was instrumental in the re-organisation and building of a vibrant Chapter until 2002 when he was succeeded by the sitting Coordinator.
Abeeku moved on to found the Kumasi Institute forTechnology and Energy (KITE), which has grown to become a renowned NGO in Ghana and beyond.
Always dynamic, Abeeku moved on from KITE to become an important figure in the Ghana’s STI affairs,
specialising in the energy sector. He was appointed
the Chairman of the Energy Commission. He was alsoa Professor at the College of Engineering in Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
Prior to his death, Abeeku, was receiving treatment in
London where he passed on at the age of 58. He waslaid to rest on 27 April 2013. The ATPS deeply expresses
condolences to Prof. Abeeku Brew-Hammond’s family
and the ATPS Ghana for this great loss.
Indeed, his death is a great loss to the ATPS Networkand the STI community in Africa, and globally.
May his soul rest in peace.

17

A New s l e t t e r o f t h e A f r i c a Te c hnology Policy Studies Network

The African technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS) is a multidisciplinary network of researchers,private sector actors andpolicy makers promoting the generation, dissemination, use andmastery of science, technology and innovation )ST&I) for African
development, environmental sustainability and global inclusion.
ATPS intends to achieve its mandate through research, capacity
building and training, science communication/disseminationand sensitization, participatory multi-stakeholder dialogue,knowledge brokerage, and policy advocacy.

www.atpsnet.org

ATPS NEWSAFRICAN TECHNOLOGY POLICY STUDIES NETWORK (ATPS)
3RD FLOOR, THE CHANCERY, VALLEY ROAD
P.O. BOX 10081-00100, NAIROBI, KENYA
TEL: +254-20-2714092/2714498/2723800
FAX: +254-20-2714028

To subscribe to our newsletters please send your full name, organization and address to communications@atpsnet.org

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