1. Strengthening the Research Culture: A holistic view Romain Murenzi, Executive Director The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) 1 2nd High-Level CARICOM Science and Technology Meeting St. George’s, Grenada | 27 March 2015

2. A dream of science in the South “…with man’s recent mastery of science and technology there is no physical reason left for the existence of hunger and want for any part of the human race.” – Abdus Salam (1963) 2

3. A dream of science in the South "The Third World Academy [of Sciences] … must serve in the cause of enhancing South-South and South-North collaboration." – Abdus Salam (1983) 3

4. A voice for science in the South 4 1141 elected Fellows 117 women 15 Nobel laureates 94 countries 193 Young Affiliates and Alumni

5. TWAS HQ and Regional Offices 5

6. TWAS’s guiding principle Through science and engineering, a nation can address challenges in agriculture, climate, health, energy and others. 6

7. The rise of the South TWAS has joined with others to promote a science-for-development model for the South. The result? 7

8. The rise of the South Rising R&D investment by many developing nations Significant growth, poverty-reduction A development model for other nations, both large and small 8

9. The rise of the South 9

10. Building a global research culture “We need more scientists, more engineers, more researchers – to craft new solutions to health challenges, to anticipate disasters, to eliminate poverty.” – Irina Bokova, UNESCO director-general 10

11. Building a global research culture “Scientific capacity is distributed very unevenly in our world – even among the developing nations…. To nurture a new generation of scientists and engineers, we must reach further and search more diligently to find scientific excellence.” – Bai Chunli, TWAS president 11

12. Caribbean science & research Positive conditions A history of scientific research An established scientific culture Existing educational centers Political awareness and commitment 12

13. Caribbean science & research Significant challenges Climate change Ocean health Natural disasters Disaster engineering Food security Infectious disease Non-communicable disease 13

14. Caribbean science & research A difficult context Persistent poverty Government debt Historically low R&D spending (<1.0% GDP) Insufficient graduate-level science and engineering education Severe long-term brain-drain 14

15. The research culture: elements Leadership and political will Vision for the future Strategic plan An innovation ecosystem to drive development and provide training and opportunities for young scientists 15 A d i f f i c u l t c o n t e x t : P e r s i s t e n t p o v e r t y C h r o n i c g o v e r n m e n t d e b t H i s t o r i c a l l y l o w R & D s p e n d i n g ( < 1. 0 % G D P ) I n s u f f i c i e n t g r a d u a t e - l e v e l s c i e n c e a n d e n g i n e e r i n g e d u c a t i o n

16. The research culture: elements Leadership and political will A commitment to find a way forward even in difficult conditions 16

17. The research culture: elements A holistic vision Recognizes that the research environment is shaped by education, policy, technology, funding sources, communication and other factors “Sector-wide approach” 17 A d i f f i c u l t c o n t e x t : P e r s i s t e n t p o v e r t y C h r o n i c g o v e r n m e n t d e b t H i s t o r i c a l l y l o w R & D s p e n d i n g ( < 1. 0 % G D P ) I n s u f f i c i e n t g r a d u a t e - l e v e l s c i e n c e a n d e n g i n e e r i n g e d u c a t i o n

18. The research culture: elements 18

19. The research culture: elements 19 Public Health Water Sanitation Energy Education Climate Change Agriculture Food Security Natural Disasters Environment

20. The research culture: elements Knowledge Acquisition Knowledge Creation Knowledge Transfer Innovation Culture 20

21. The research culture: elements R&D investments Sector-wide approach Targeted to national or regional needs Strategically managed and sustained 21 A d i f f i c u l t c o n t e x t : P e r s i s t e n t p o v e r t y C h r o n i c g o v e r n m e n t d e b t H i s t o r i c a l l y l o w R & D s p e n d i n g ( < 1. 0 % G D P ) I n s u f f i c i e n t g r a d u a t e - l e v e l s c i e n c e a n d e n g i n e e r i n g e d u c a t i o n

22. The research culture: elements 22 The work of TWAS is focused in two critical areas: Building a corps of PhD scholars Improving laboratory facilities

23. TWAS PhD Fellowships 23 Training PhD-level scientists: Researchers and university- level educators Future leaders for science policy, business and international cooperation

24. TWAS PhD Fellowships 24 500+ Fellowships per year PhD fellowships +350 Postdoctoral fellowships 125 Visiting researchers/professors 45

25. TWAS Research Grants USD1.7 million per year for laboratory development in the developing world 25 Among the 81 countries eligible for TWAS research grants are five CARICOM countries: Belize Guyana Haiti Jamaica Suriname

26. TWAS Research Grants 2,200 grants awarded to individuals and research groups (1996-2013) 26 Among the 81 countries eligible for TWAS research grants are five CARICOM countries: Belize Guyana Haiti Jamaica Suriname

27. The research culture: values 27 Competition breeds excellence Photo: ESPN

28. The research culture: values 28 Scientific publications Prizes

29. The research culture: values 29 Generally, a higher level of R&D investment produces higher levels of research publication. More impact. More prizes.

30. The research culture: values Ethics and research integrity In science education and the practice of science, commitment to the highest standards of global scientific practice 30 A d i f f i c u l t c o n t e x t : P e r s i s t e n t p o v e r t y C h r o n i c g o v e r n m e n t d e b t H i s t o r i c a l l y l o w R & D s p e n d i n g ( < 1. 0 % G D P ) I n s u f f i c i e n t g r a d u a t e - l e v e l s c i e n c e a n d e n g i n e e r i n g e d u c a t i o n

31. The research culture: values 31 South-South cooperation Lessons from emerging nations Regional partnerships and initiatives Cooperation across the developing world

32. Research culture: targets and goals A crucial need for data To make effective policy To measure progress on the road to success 32 A d i f f i c u l t c o n t e x t : P e r s i s t e n t p o v e r t y C h r o n i c g o v e r n m e n t d e b t H i s t o r i c a l l y l o w R & D s p e n d i n g ( < 1. 0 % G D P ) I n s u f f i c i e n t g r a d u a t e - l e v e l s c i e n c e a n d e n g i n e e r i n g e d u c a t i o n

33. Research culture: targets and goals Key objective: Create an innovation ecosystem  that can support the domestic private sector and attract foreign investment  that develops skilled young scientists and gives them incentives to remain in their home countries 33

34. Merci Danke Romain Murenzi, Executive Director r m u r e n z i @ t w a s. o r g www.twas.org 34 Presentation prepared by TWAS Public Information Office Grazie With gratitude to our supporters: Government of Italy UNESCO Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency Brazil, China, India, and Kuwait