Luanda - The Angolan Government will make around eight million US dollars available to finance scientific research projects, the vice-president of the Republic, Esperança da Costa, announced on Wednesday in Luanda.
The vice-president was speaking at the opening of the 8th National Conference on Science and Technology and the 3rd Fair of Ideas, Innovations and Technology-Based Entrepreneurship.
According to Esperança da Costa, the Foundation for Scientific and Technological Development (FUNDECIT) had already been created to reinforce the National Science and Technology System, and a public notice that will establishes the financing process for scientific research projects will be published soon.
The vice-president also announced that 199 research project applications are being evaluated, submitted in response to the notices launched in 2022, whose approval must be quickly completed to be financed from 2024.
In the current month, she reported, the 28 public higher education institutions (HEIs) received the specific financial quota for scientific research, included in the General State Budget (OGE) of 2023, totaling one billion and ninety million kwanzas.
However, she urged better use of opportunities to apply for funding for scientific research, offered by organizations to which Angola has joined, such as the Southern African Science Center for Climate Change and Adaptive Soil Management (SASSCAL) and the International Engineering Center Genetics and Biotechnology.
Esperança da Costa also informed that next year higher education institutions and the National Center for Scientific Research will have more teachers and scientific researchers, with the admission of 923 staff for these special careers, through a public entrance competition, to be opened soon.
She mentioned that, despite budgetary limitations, the design of the Government projects for the University Hospital and a new phase of the University of Namibe is underway so that the respective works can begin in the near future.
The vice-president of the Republic assured that financing guarantee procedures were launched for the construction and equipping of new academic facilities for the universities Agostinho Neto, Katyavala Bwila, Mandume Ya Ndemufayo, José Eduardo dos Santos and the Benguela Superior Institute of Education and Sciences.
She added that tenders are underway to begin, in 2024, the construction and equipping of infrastructure for the higher polytechnic institutes of Bié, Moxico, Ndalatando and Ondjiva.
She informed that, with funds from the World Bank, the academic infrastructures of the higher education science institutes (ISCED) in Uíge, Huambo, Huíla and the Escola Superior Pedagógica do Bengo will be improved.
As for the works at Lueji A Nkonda University, in Dundo, and the project financed by SODIAM and ENDIAMA, in Saurimo, within the scope of the social responsibility of these companies, she considered that both are progressing at a good pace.
She also announced that the National Center for Scientific Research (CNIC) has been completely rehabilitated and should be reopened in 2024.
Esperança da Costa highlighted that the Executive has promoted, especially in higher education institutions, innovation competitions and the creation of business incubators, included in academic entrepreneurship programs, to foster creative ideas and transform them into viable businesses, helping to create employment opportunities for young people.
She highlighted that the entrepreneurship course is planned to be included in the higher education curriculum, with the support of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, as well as the promotion of interconnection between higher education institutions and companies, in partnership with the United Nations programs for Development (UNDP) and Food and Agriculture (FAO).
He mentioned that the construction of the Luanda Science and Technology Park, valued at 35 million dollars and started in February this year, scheduled for completion in the third quarter of 2025, was motivated by the need to create and grow technology-based companies, through business incubators, as a contribution to the sustainable development of the country.
According to the vice-president, the aforementioned park will play a crucial role in the development of entrepreneurship in collaboration between higher education and scientific research institutions, companies, the Government and society, as well as in promoting innovation, access to infrastructure -structures, laboratory and offices to support research activities, aiming to encourage and strengthen startups.
The affiliation of the Luanda Science and Technology Park to the International Association of Science Parks and Innovation Areas, implemented in September this year, will facilitate international collaboration, according to Esperança da Costa.
The vice-president considered Angola's progress in creating a national ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship to be notable, aiming to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
She considered innovation and industrial modernization as drivers of economic transformation and the center of economic and social development, as well as poverty reduction.
Likewise, she said that entrepreneurship is one of the means of promoting self-employment, and, through it, full, productive employment and decent work.
She reported that 70 scientific research initiatives were approved, which will be evaluated at the event that takes place under the motto “Technological entrepreneurship focused on inclusive, resilient and sustainable innovation”. JFS/VC/TED/DOJ
