STAFF REPORT ISB: In this modern world, Science, Technology and Innovation (STandI) have become a key element for industrial competitiveness amid intense competition and a fast changing market environment. There is a dire need for enhanced South-South cooperation on important issues pertaining to national innovation systems and IP regimes to ensure development of the region.
Science and technology experts expressed these views at the three-day regional workshop on National Innovation System and Intellectual Property for the African region.
The event was inaugurated by Dr. Amina Al Hajri, Deputy DG ISESCO, while it was jointly organized by ISESCO, COMSATS, and INIT.
In her welcome address, Dr. Amina remarked, “ISESCO Centre for Promotion of Scientific Research (ICPSR) has been focusing on helping member countries achieve the MDGs by 2015 through promotion of innovative scientific research as stipulated in its three-year action plan.”
Executive Director COMSATS, Dr. Imtinan Elahi Qureshi, in his message read out on the occasion by Tajammul Hussain, Advisor (Programmes) COMSATS, stressed the importance of creating regional linkages aimed at building effective national innovation systems.
He noted that the world is passing through a period of rapid development in all areas of science and technology that has created a greater need for understanding and modelling national innovation processes and systems, while developing means to safeguard scientific advances, ideas, and business interests in the developing world.
Addressing the gathering at the inauguration, Tahir Naeem, Executive Director INIT, highlighted the theoretical background of national innovation system.
As many as 30 policy practitioners, academicians and government functionaries from 15 countries, including Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte dIvoire, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Niger, Pakistan, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo and Uganda got benefit of the event.