Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Perry Kaande And Innocent Ruwende
17 August 2007
Harare — SCIENTIFIC and research bodies from southern Africa have adopted a blue-print on ways to mitigate the current energy and water shortages in the region.
A grouping of three major scientific institutions in Southern Africa, the Regional Research Alliance (RRA) - yesterday met in Harare to devise the strategies.
The alliance, comprising Zimbabwe's Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Centre (Sirdc), the Council for Scientific and industrial Research (CSIR) of South Africa and Botswana Technology Centre (Botec), adopted the blue-print that would address scientific problems over the next three years.
The document would come up with the nuts and bolts necessary to deliver solutions to the problems of water, energy, infrastructure and food security.
Speaking on the sidelines of the workshop, Sirdc chief executive Mr Robson Mafoti said the institutions convened to find technological solutions for sustainable develop- ment.
"Strong efforts are being made to facilitate the sharing of knowledge and development of human capital in the region. We will come up with solutions that will address the problems of energy and water crisis in the region in line with the Millennium Development Goals," he said.
He added that this was a concerted effort to look at science and technology as a means of development.
Mr Mafoti highlighted that the alliance is an important tool for pooling resources as Zimbabwe is known for its technological knowledge, whilst its allies are better off financially.
He also said that in sourcing donor funding it is easier as a block rather than as individuals.
Teams have been put in place to oversee the different areas that will fall under the microscope for the next three years.
"We already have teams on the ground that are working on these problems, in three years time we will come up with the solutions to these problems," he added.
In addition, business units based on the research activities will be created to offset the scourge of brain drain in the region.
The RRA would come up with ways of promoting skills retention by providing the same opportunities in the region.
Speaking at the same venue, director in the RRA secretariat Dr Reinie Biesenbach said science and technology have a major role in the development of an economy and are an integral component in the global village.
"Science and technology is playing a major role in the developing of nations. Although the RRA is being worked out on a regional level it is vital to form international working relationships in light of globalisation and to facilitate networking," he said.
SIRDC, Botec and CSIR formed a partnership in 2005 to promote, pursue and implement projects with high regional impact, relevance and benefit to the people.
Regional research bodies adopt energy blue-print By Perry Kaande and Innocent Ruwende SCIENTIFIC and research bodies from southern Africa have adopted a blue-print on ways to mitigate the current energy and water shortages in the region.
A grouping of three major scientific institutions in Southern Africa, the Regional Research Alliance (RRA) -- yesterday met in Harare to devise the strategies.
The alliance, comprising Zimbabwe's Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Centre (Sirdc), the Council for Scientific and industrial Research (CSIR) of South Africa and Botswana Technology Centre (Botec), adopted the blue-print that would address scientific problems over the next three years.
The document would come up with the nuts and bolts necessary to deliver solutions to the problems of water, energy, infrastructure and food security.
Speaking on the sidelines of the workshop, Sirdc chief executive Mr Robson Mafoti said the institutions convened to find technological solutions for sustainable develop- ment.
"Strong efforts are being made to facilitate the sharing of knowledge and development of human capital in the region. We will come up with solutions that will address the problems of energy and water crisis in the region in line with the Millennium Development Goals," he said.
He added that this was a concerted effort to look at science and technology as a means of development.
Mr Mafoti highlighted that the alliance is an important tool for pooling resources as Zimbabwe is known for its technological knowledge, whilst its allies are better off financially.
He also said that in sourcing donor funding it is easier as a block rather than as individuals.
Teams have been put in place to oversee the different areas that will fall under the microscope for the next three years.
"We already have teams on the ground that are working on these problems, in three years time we will come up with the solutions to these problems," he added.
In addition, business units based on the research activities will be created to offset the scourge of brain drain in the region.
The RRA would come up with ways of promoting skills retention by providing the same opportunities in the region.
Speaking at the same venue, director in the RRA secretariat Dr Reinie Biesenbach said science and technology have a major role in the development of an economy and are an integral component in the global village.
"Science and technology is playing a major role in the developing of nations. Although the RRA is being worked out on a regional level it is vital to form international working relationships in light of globalisation and to facilitate networking," he said.
SIRDC, Botec and CSIR formed a partnership in 2005 to promote, pursue and implement projects with high regional impact, relevance and benefit to the people.
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