UNESCO’s contribution to the implementation of the AU/CPA for science and technology

1. UNESCO’s contribution to the implementation of the AU/CPA for science and technology Shamila Nair-Bedouelle Head of Unit, AU/CPA Implementation Division for Science Policies and Sustainable Development, Natural sciences Sector, s.nair-bedouelle@unesco.org

2. Addis Declaration on S&T and Scientific Research for Development • called upon UNESCO to assist Member States and the AU to implement the Summit decision on S&T • UNESCO adopted 3 flagship projects, GA 2007: • - Capacity building in STI • - Enhancing ST education • - The African Virtual Campus

3. UN Regional Development Efforts 1999 • UN Secretary-General’s reform agenda • Coherence of activities of UN agencies • Regional consultation meetings (5 regions) • 5th Regional Consultation, May 2003 established • « UN Science and Technology Cluster » • UNESCO as Convener and UNECA as Vice Convener

4. UN S&T Cluster Established: 2003 Members: 13 UN Agencies Activities Work closely with AU/NEPAD’s Plan of Action in Science Assist in preparation of First AMCOST 2003, Second and Third Contribution and support to the CPA Align Agency activities in support of the CPA

5. African Science Technology and Innovation Policy Initiative ASTIPI Objectives: • Review / formulate national STI policies for those African countries lacking STI policies • STI Policy Specialists trained • ASTIPI post graduate course designed and implemented

6. Current status of UNESCO STI policy review inAfrica STI Policies formulated STI Policy Reviews 2008-2009

7. UNESCO International Review of S&T Statistics and Indicators UIS + AU/NEPAD Objectives: • review priority science policy information needs • examine existing S&T statistical and indicator systems, build institutional capacities • promote adaptation and adoption of internationally compatible policy relevant STI indicators and methodologies • develop an African network for STI indicators.

8. Countries covered Countries covered but absent Countries not yet covered Countries not targeted Countries that have participated in S&T Statistics workshops 2005-7

9. 0–100 per million 101–300 per million 301–1000 per million 1001–2000 per million 2001 per million and above Data not available How many researchers are there?Researchers per million inhabitants, latest available year Source: UIS, September 2007

10. African STI Observatoy • UNESCO-UIS-AUC/NEPAD • Performance of institutions and R&D activities • Map Africa wide STI capacity - Produce basic indicators - Human resources - Funding - Patents - Publications - Research institutions

11. Governance of Science: role of Parliament • The need for closer co-operation among policy-makers, parliamentarians, scientists, journalists, industry (public and private) and civil society; • The setting-up of parliamentary science committees in Africa • A first Parliamentary Science Forum took place in Brazzaville on 11-14 March 2008.

12. Women in Science International Report on S.T. and Gender 2007 • ‘Statistics on Science, Technology and Gender (STG)’ with an Annex on statistical overview. • Collaboration with European Commission (Research Directorate-General) and a group of worldwide experts. • UNESCO will cooperate with AUC in the development of the Pan-African Association of African Women in Science and Technology (AAWOST)

13. UNESCO ’s University-Industry-Science Partnership UNISPAR (1993) • Capacity building in governance of S&T parks • World Technopolis Association (WTA) • International Association of Science Parks (IASP) • S&T Parks • economic and technological development complexes • promote STI and commercialization of research

14. UNESCO’s activities in promoting science and technology through the African Virtual Campus e learning M. Miloudi UNESCO, Natural sciences Sector, Division for Science Policies and Sustainable Development m.miloudi@unesco.org

15. Contribute to building the capacities of the African States in ICT, science and technology Teachers trained in science, engineering and technology through e-learning Promoting technical and Vocational Education & Training Training of the human resources (middle / senior management) Teacher training in the secondary and primary levels Access to ICT infrastructure Adult learning, distance learning TheAfrican Virtual Campus Objectives

16. The Mediterranean Avicenna Virtual Campus (EU - UNESCO) • A self-sustaining model which builds capacity in ICT infrastructure and e learning in 14 partner countries. • An appropriate solution for the development of education at different levels in line with the targets to 2015 of the UNESCO EFA programme

17. Avicenna - Main achievements • 981 teachers/ tutors trained • 1500 blind students used the adapted online courses in 2007 (e-learning for blind students) • Avicenna Virtual Library shared by the partners; • 206 online modules of 20 hours each

18. Examples of Avicenna online courses produced

19. Production processand Assurance Quality Control System (AQUAS) Quality-label request Scientific Council Control Committee (UNESCO) • Approval production • Modules selection • Agreement of production • Technical & Pedagogical • module Validation • Modules proposals • Agreement of production request • Quality-label request Modules with Quality -Label • Avicenna Modules • Technical & Pedagogical • Assistance • Modules Proposal • Modules Production AVICENNA VIRTUAL LIBRARY Local Universities MILOUDI  UNESCO/SC/PSD 2007

20. Avicenna Knowledge Centre (AKC) or E-Learning Centre INTERNET Class Room Self Service Production Room Technical Room Administration & Information Meeting Room & Library Activities • Provide training sessions to the teachers on the engineering production of the online courses. • Provide training sessions for tutors and technical support and information for students; • Manage and Maintain the Virtual Library; • Develop relationships between the e-Learning centres of the regional network and also the centre is in charge for the development of the national virtual campus network. • Develop scientific groups through the network • Organise national seminars and dissemination activities • Provide support for the handicapped students (Blind and Deaf students) • E-Learning Centre Staff • Director • Educational Expert • Technical Expert • Technician • Secretary MILOUDI  UNESCO/SC/PSD 2007

21. Challenges 2008-2013 • AFRICAN VIIRTUAL CAMPUS • - 54 Avicenna centres (5 regions) • Network will be used by all the • African universities • Project approved by the • UNESCO Executive Board and • GENERAL CONFERENCE (193 member states)

22. Project initiation development • Development in 5 African regions: Northern, Western, Eastern, Central, and Southern • 1st centre initiated in Benin, July 2008 • AVC training, West Africa Nov 2008 • Funded by Spain and the EU ARAPKE • Extrabudgetary and regular project funding

23. Network of fully operational “e-Learning Avicenna Centres” one centre per African country; Specific online training in Sciences Policies and Science Technology and Innovation; An online “African Virtual Library in S&T” comprising online modules and teaching resource material; An African platform for the development of the African Virtual Campus to all African countries Teacher training National Campuses; Training: African experts trained in e-learning concept education (5 per centre - permanent staff); Teachers trained on the engineering production of online multimedia courses; Tutors trained in e-learning education methods; Large-scale student training Expected results

24. Conclusion • UNESCO: instrument of international cooperation • International peace and development can thrive through collaboration and dialogue • Maximize science as a cultural value • AVCN: infrastructure, technology enhanced learning, and science and technology education extended to all countries in Africa