NATIONAL COMMISION FOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION
1. THE BACKGROUND
The National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI) in collaboration with Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) is implementing the University Research Chairs Programme. The goal of the programme is to enhance Kenya’s competitiveness in the knowledge-based economy by attracting (and retaining) top scholars in Kenyan universities; enhancing post-graduate training and strengthening the linkages between the universities and other social and economic actors, particularly the private sector. The first University Research Chair in Kenya in Health Systems was recently awarded to Moi University.
2. TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR
The manufacturing sector is key to the attainment of Kenya’s Vision 2030 and is central to the Government’s policies on job creation, value addition, and international trade and foreign exchange earnings. However, the contribution of manufacturing to the country’s GDP has been on the decline from 13.6% in 1994, to 10% in 2004 and 8.9% in 2013. In order to reverse this downward trend, the Research Chair in Technological Innovation is envisaged to stimulate the enhanced utilization of technological knowledge generated from the universities to address key challenges faced by the manufacturing sector.
The focus of this call is on technological innovation, that is, the application of scientific knowledge and technological developments to generate new products, processes or services for enhanced productivity and efficiency in the manufacturing sector. It is anchored on the innovation system framework which conceptualizes innovation as a social process involving partnerships among a diverse range of actors and shaped by institutional structures in which they are embedded. For more information, please refer to the programme prospectus at www.nacosti.go.ke.
3. ELIGIBILITY AND HOW TO APPLY
All bona fide academic staff of Kenyan universities who have attained a level of Associate Professor and above are eligible to apply for this Research Chair. Applications are invited for all manufacturing sectors except health (where a Research Chair has already been awarded). Please refer to the programme prospectus at www.nacosti.go.ke for eligibility and other application requirements.
The application process is divided into two stages:
Stage 1: Applicants will be required to submit full proposals which will be subjected to rigorous review by an independent panel of experts who will recommend to NACOSTI the applications that merit award based on the quality of their proposals. A full proposal template can be downloaded at www.nacosti.go.ke.
Stage 2: Face-to-face interviews: Successful candidates will undergo a face-to-face interview with a select panel of experts before a final determination can be made.
The full proposals should be submitted electronically to researchchair@nacosti.go.ke with a copy to dg@nacosti.go.ke not later than 30th June 2015 on or before 4:00 p.m. (1600hrs) with the subject heading: `Full proposal – Technological Innovation in the Manufacturing Sector’ clearly specified.
THE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH CHAIRS PROGRAMME
Call for Proposals: Technological Innovation in the Manufacturing Sector