Knowledge-based economy and knowledgeable society are pre-conditions for growth and development. Greater interaction between science policymakers, knowledge producers, members of scientific communities and consumers is needed to fulfill these conditions. The portal provides us that opportunity. Here we can tell our stories about science policies, scientific research work, and contribution they make, be it new knowledge discovery, or invention of technologies and their application, or about innovations that solve practical problems.
It is our undivided desire to reach out to every stakeholder, partner and a member within research community, scholar, student and research practitioner and public policy-formulator where we can raise issues of common concern and share opportunities for improvement. Accordingly, we are deeply rooted in our mission to narrow the gap between science and policy.
The Science and Technology Council is the peak body with a core role of governance over the country’s science technology and innovation matters. As a policy body, the council draws wide array of inputs from a select group of highly cultured individuals with distinguishable standing, representing different disciplines areas of academia, science, engineering, math, business and industry. The spread and wealth of wisdom from these individuals culminates into structured and carefully considered choices in the science policy options. The second tier of advice to the governance processes is drawn from research institutions and universities at annual leaders meet. Specialist input is drawn also from time to time dependent on the needs and circumstance of subject matter at hand.
At the Secretariat we work harder to build our internal systems and processes, policy guidelines, and instruments for a robust and efficient functioning of science sector. Significant progress has already begun. Cabinet endorsed foundational policy statement on National Research Agenda together with other supporting policy instrument, including Priority National Research Programs, National Research Code of Conduct, National Research Grants guidelines, corporate plan 2025 – 2030, and National Strategic Plan. Our research capacity assessment survey report of 2016 provided the baseline for investment and courses of actions needed. Improvement Program for the depilated research facilities has commenced and are in progress. Our grants program has provided support research topics in number of national issues, including COVID19, sustainable agriculture, biodiversity & conservation, climate change, alternative energy. We hope to extend boundaries of these support to new areas of research development.