NACOSTI occupies a critical position at a global science body
By George.Kebaso, July 21, 2022A parastatal mandated with the regulation, quality assurance and promotion of research, science, technology and innovation is now occupying a major position at a global science body.
The International Science Council (ISC) has announced the admission of the National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI) as its new member following recommendation from the Kenya National Academy of Sciences (KNAS).
This move is based on NACOSTI’s strategic position as a as a focal point for numerous international conventions and protocols related to Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) as well as advocating for more girls joining the pursuit for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education.
In a letter to the Commission on June 24, 2022, ISC President Peter Gluckman said NACOSTI now stands together with over 200 international scientific unions and associations, as well as national and regional scientific organizations, including academies and research councils that are promoting science across the world.
“On behalf of the Governing Board as well as all Members and staff of the International Science Council (ISC), I am delighted to officially welcome the National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation as Category 2 Member,” Gluckman signed. These institutions form the world’s largest international NGO that brings together the natural and social sciences.
ISC is the global voice for science.
Gluckman said that as a global science organization, ISC seeks to advance science as a global Public Good.
“Together with our Members and partners we work at the global level to catalyse and convene scientific expertise, and to advise and influence on issues of major concern to science and society,” he added.
The announcement happens barely two months after the Commission’s Director General, Prof. Walter Oyawa was appointed as a fellow of the ISC in June to become one of the 66 Foundation Fellows who were recognized for their outstanding contributions to promoting science as a global Public Good.
Reacting to the admission of the Commission to the ISC, Prof. Oyawa said the elevation could not have come at the right time like now when the place of science as a sustainable development tool calls for attention and positive recognition.
“NACOSTI has finally arrived to occupy its cherished space as directed by Parliament through the STI Act by rising up to fully discharge its key mandate of regulating, assuring quality and promoting research, science, technology and innovation for Public Good,” he noted.
The Fellowship is the highest honor that can be conferred on an individual by the ISC.
NACOSTI serves as a focal point for numerous international conventions and protocols related to STI such as the Africa Regional Cooperative Agreement for Research (ARCAR), Development and Training related to Nuclear Science and Technology (AFRA), Comprehensive Nuclear-Test Ban Treaty Organization (CBTO) and International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) among others.
Through close collaboration with the Ministry of Education, The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and other public and private agencies, NACOSTI has been instrumental in enhancing provision of STEM education with the aim of addressing gender disparities and inequalities which are skewed against girls.
Some of the benefits, NACOSTI will enjoy as a member organization of the ISC, includes full voting and nominating rights, and will be able to participate in ISC projects and programs, meaning that the country’s research capacity will be enhanced.
“ISC Membership will also provide NACOSTI and its members with access to information on international scientific developments, further opportunities for international engagement and collaboration, including funding opportunities, and will increase the awareness of NACOSTI on a global level,” Gluckman highlighted.
Further, the Commission registers and accredits research institutions and Institutional Ethics Review Committees (IRECs) across the country to uphold ethical standards in research and innovations.
Last week, NACOSTI hosted a two-day conference bringing together stakeholders from the East African region including health system policy makers, research and innovation (R&I), funding agencies and councils, health care providers, researchers, scientific societies, industry, regional, technology developers and international organizations drawn from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Ethiopia.
The workshop in Nairobi aimed at integrating more African countries in the global Personalised Medicine (PM) research agenda.