Science and Technology Research and Development Data - Papua New Guinea

1. Science and Technology Research and Development Data - Papua New Guinea Pongie Kichawen, PhD Office of Higher Education Papua New Guinea

2. Outline • Introduction • Country Profile • Structure of science and technology in PNG • Research and Science & Technology Institutions • Status of Research and Development Data in Science and Technology in PNG • Importance of Science & Technology R & D Data • Policy Initiatives • Future Plan for Science and Technology Data • How have and can UNESCO Assist • Conclusion

3. Introduction • Thank UNESCO and the Institute for Statistics and other sponsors including: • UNESCO Science Policy and Sustainable Development Division • Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, Cambodia, Scientific Research Department • UNESCO Office in Phnom Penh • UNESCO Office in Jakarta

4. Great Initiative • Importance of sharing of S&T data and knowledge • Capacity Building • Economic Benefits • Relating S&T data and policy to major economic development policies

5. Country Profile • Located in the South West Pacific, Australia up North and Indonesia to the West • Population of approx. 6 million • Land area of 462,840 km² • More than 800 languages • English is the language of instruction at schools

6. Country Profile continue • Political system is democracy Westminster System of Government • Resources – Minerals, Oil, Gas, Agriculture commodities • < 0.3 % of GDP on R & D

7. Science and Technology Structure

8. Research, Science and Technology Institutions • 6 Universities • 4 Specialized research institutions in Agriculture, Medical, Coffee, Coconut, Cocoa • Government agencies departments • K300m approx. US$ 100m

9. Status of Research and Development Data in Science and Technology in PNG • Importance of use of Data • Internal use only • Data available, not in digital form • No centralized system • Only made aware of UNESCO requirement • Support UNESCO initiative

10. Importance of Science & Technology R & D Data • Know the types of R & D taking place in PNG • Know how much is being spent on R & D • Know how R & D data can be linked to national priorities • Believe S & T is the foundation for modernisation drive from rural based economy to high tech market economy • Encourage Universities and other tertiary institutions to contribute to R & D • Promote key partners in research and development • Develop a national innovation system • Identify industrial training support for undergraduates in S&T • Incubation Parks for S&T graduates • Inauguration of national research and scientific awards • Resource based funding of research in S&T

11. Policy Initiatives • S & T Policy in 1991 • S & T Council Act 1992 • Policy for Supporting Research and Development 2007 • S &T Initiative in 2007 • RST Council established in 2008

12. Future Plan for Science and Technology Data • Commenced data collection & compilation in 2008 • Budget provision for 2009 data collection & compilation • Dispatch UNESCO database questionnaire • Commence a HE Management Information System to link universities and research institutions

13. How have and can UNESCO Assist? • Exposing PNG to a workshop like this • Conduct a similar workshop in PNG including other Pacific countries • Build capacity and R & D data system in PNG

14. Conclusion PNG does not have an R & D centralised database system and needs UNESCO assistance to set it up

15. END Questions?