NCRST signs Master agreement with NUST

By Confidente Reporter
THE National Commission on Research , Science and Technology (NCRST) Tuesday signed a Master Agreement on Grant Management with the University of Science and Technology (NUST) to streamline the process of disbursing funds to researchers and innovators based at NUST.
According to NCRST chief executive officer Eino Mvula, the agreement will also give assurance that the grants will be managed in accordance with the institution’s existing financial management policies and also the timely reporting of the project execution as part of their monitoring and evaluation process. “This Master Framework Agreement recognises the importance and complimentary roles that two institutions can play in developing science, technology and innovation in Namibia. The Master Agreement is a critical tool in streamlining research grant management, as the NCRST and NUST both play different, but equally important, roles in the functional innovation system, particularly at policy level (for example setting the National Research Agenda, Monitory and Evaluating the implementation), as Incubator Centres, and innovation capacity level where actual Research and Development and innovation takes place,” said Mvula.
He also thanked NUST vice chancellor Tjama Tjivikua and the NUST team for the commitment they have shown which led to the finalization of the agreement, which according to him is a testimony of the research and development at NUST. “Thus transforming NUST from the current status of a predominantly teaching institution, to a research intensive University, these collaborative efforts and many other initiated by all stakeholders, will undoubtedly contribute to making innovation a key driver for the achievements of the objective and goals of the Harambee Prosperity Plan.”
He further told the gathering that since its inception in 2013 the Research, Science and Technology Fund of the NCRST has received and assessed over 379 applications for funding. Applications were received based on advertised calls inviting research and innovation proposals.
“To date, 147 applications worth a funding value of over N$27 million has been assessed and were approved. We have a specific focus on capacity building and supporting young people hence the fund has invested in 30 PhD students, 58 master’s students and 32 youth innovators. The Research and Development project at NUST as percentage of total projects funded by the commission (excluding postgraduate students funding and youth innovators) currently stands at 32 percent,” he said.