Biotech tropicana Journal Perspectives
SMARTinnovationDEMO : An Implementation Perspective
Aboubakar YARI & Venus YARI
Published Online March 18, 2011
UNDER FORMATING
Abstract :
SMARTinnovationDEMO project aims to demonstrate the importance of technological innovation, for the developing world. We previously describe an outline of the SMARTinnovationDEMO program. Here, we describe the implementation process of the program.
Keywords: Views on Developement
Background:
According to the task force on Innovation, Science, and Technology for the United Nations Millennium Development project :
«Most developing country governments acknowledge that science, technology, and innovation are important tools for development. But their policy approaches differ considerably. Most countries still distinguish between science, technology, and innovation policies designed to focus on the generation of new knowledge through support for R&D and industrial policies that emphasize building manufacturing capabilities. Convergence of the two approaches would focus attention on the use of existing technologies while building a foundation for long-term R&D activities.....This approach requires that attention be paid to existing technologies, especially platform (generic) technologies that have broad applications for or impacts on the economy. Until recently, countries relied on investment in specific industries (textiles, automobile manufacturing, chemicals) with broad linkages in the productive sector to stimulate economic growth. Policy attention has now turned to ICT, biotechnology, nanotechnology, and new materials as platform technologies whose combined impacts will have profound implications for long-term economic transformation ».
[1 ;2]
Our explorations in the developing world showed a low to inexistant awareness on the importance of technological innovation for development. The general view in the general population, is that « international aid, is the more important asset to development. The more aid you can harness, the more your chance to develop ».
The « new way » development models, in the United Nations Millennium Development Project (UN MDG), and the United States Millennium Challenge Corporation (US MCC) aim exactly to reverse that view, for the « new view » citing the East Esian « tiger » models, that true development is essentially the result of the ability of nations to « innovate» domestic solutions to their development challenges.
Aligning with that « new view », SMARTinovationDEMO aims to raise awareness on the importance of technological innovation, for development.
Method :
We design a promotion program. [1] We implement a first pilot phase, in Benin Republic, a Least Developed Country (LDC), in 10 sites selected as followed :
a) 4 higher education institutions comprised of 1 major University, 1 private technology oriented higher education centre, 2 business schools
b) 3 middle level high schools, comprised of 2 public schools, and 1 private school
c) 3 elementary schools, comprised of 2 public schools, and 1 private school.
We execute the project in phases. This article will be regularly be updated as we progress.
Result:
1) Update_1 : Phase 1 : 1)1 A short description of the SMARTinnovationDEMO project is mailed to the selected sites.
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