National Institute for Science, Technology and Innovation: country training |18 August 2016

Data collection processes and indicators needed

National and international delegates are currently taking part in a workshop at the University of Seychelles Guy Morel Institute, Ma Joie, on research, development and innovation data collection for the production of related core indicators. 

The four-day specialised workshop is aimed at training the national team to collect both research and experimental development and innovation data as per existing guidelines to produce core STI (Science, Technology and Innovation) indicators. 

The workshop, organised by the National Institute for Science, Technology and Innovation (NISTI) in partnership with NEPAD/ASTII (African Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators), started on Tuesday this week and will end tomorrow.

The training is being conducted by a team of international experts and researchers from NEPAD agency as well as research officers and consultant from NISTI.

The ASTII Initiative is a flagship programme within the African Science and Technology Consolidated Plan of Action (CPA). The CPA was adopted in 2005 by the African Ministerial Council on Science and Technology (AMCOST) as a framework that articulates Africa’s vision for applying science, technology and innovation in its development agenda and for Africa’s full integration into the world economy.

Professor Aggrey Amballi, the head of the NEPAD Science, Technology and Innovation Hub (NSTIH) in Johannesburg, South-Africa, is leading the team (comprising Dr Tichaona Mangwende - NEPAD, Dr Almamy Konte - AOSTI, Dr Neo Molotja – CeSTII, Lukovi Seke - NEPAD), as well as the training.

“In our team, we are a core group in research and experimental development and innovation from NEPAD Agency and African Union. As all countries, Seychelles needs innovation to develop basically. We have to be aware to apply to Science, Technology and Innovation (STI). You could not have the need of STI without trying to quantify it. And, quite important indicators are there to help the system of innovation. You need to track the progress of innovation and the progress in Seychelles. Indicators will monitor your STI programme. We are not here to collect data for somebody else. We are here to inform our own system, used by ourselves as a country. For Seychelles, we have got blind statistics about STI. We believe that STI are important. We have to have a starting point. If you are here, it is not too late! In this session, we will share our national innovation system. NEPAD/ASTII has leadership in this expertise. You will learn how to collect, to process, to analyse and to use data with a methodology of interpretation. A questionnaire will engage you to responding based on your own system and do not just post numbers… Your data collection must give you an internal analysis,” Mr Amballi said in introductory remarks before the start of the training.

Xavier Estico, the chief executive of NISTI, officially launched the four-day training.

He noted that this is the second workshop jointly organised by NISTI and NEPAD/ASTII and that it will be more practical compared to the first one which was more theoretical.

During the training, delegates will learn more about research, development (R&D) and innovation, the concept and the definitions; methodologies and frameworks for the measurement of research and experimental development and innovation (FRASCATI and OSLO manuals); understanding R&D and innovation definitions and concepts in relation to STI indicators; R&D and innovation survey instruments: standard questionnaires; processing R&D and innovation survey data and analysis and dissemination.

Delegates will also explore current best practices on the production of internationally comparable STI data but also share lessons learnt from previous STI surveys carried out at the national level. The process will help national STI experts in the process of collecting and analysing data towards the production of core indicators at national level but also to contribute data to the African innovation outlook report.