Update: Rwanda STI Policy Review Kickoff Meeting
A group of over 100 policymakers, industrial representatives, academicians, and others met at the Kigali Health Institute on May 2, 2013 to kick off a review of Rwanda’s Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Policy. The policy, which was published in 2005, describes far-reaching goals for harnessing STI for economic development and poverty reduction. Rwanda’s Ministry of Education and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) are working with the Global Knowledge Initiative to analyze the policy’s achievements, and gaps in implementation.
The May 2 event officially kicked off this analysis, and featured national figures such as Rwanda’s Minister of Education Dr. Vincent Biruta, Ministry of Finance Permanent Secretary Pichette Sayinzoga, Acting Director General of the Ministry of Education’s Directorate of Science, Technology and Research Remy Twiringiyimana, and Director General of the newly formed National Science and Technology Committee Dr. Ignace Gatare.
Joining them was a group of international figures such as the Director General of UNECA’s regional office – based in Kigali – Antonio Pedro, and representatives from the national science and technology commissions or bureaus of Burundi, Kenya, and Uganda and from regional UN offices.
The purpose of this workshop was to kick off the STI policy’s review, but also to gather initial feedback on the policy from stakeholders through a GKI-facilitated interactive exercise, and to hear insights from national and regional policy-makers whose expertise can help to strengthen Rwanda’s already rapidly expanding STI activities. In the coming months, we will have additional information about this effort, and will share our findings as we analyze this policy in partnership with Rwandan and UN stakeholders.
