Tech Transfer – Integra LLC

Economic Growth & Trade, Enterprise Development, Originally posted on the GBI Portal, Tech Transfer, Workforce Development

UN University Releases study on Tech Skills in Sudan

The Maastricht Economic and social Research institute on Innovation and Technology (UNU‐MERIT) last month released its “Assessment of skill and technology indicators at the macro‐micro levels in Sudan.”

The research uses new primary data from macro and firm surveys and provides a new contribution by examining five hypotheses on the causes and consequences of low skill and technology indicators at the macro and micro levels in Sudan:

First- that the interaction between the deficient educational system – caused by low quality of education- and the high share of unskilled workers leads to poor provision of training; low skill levels; skills mismatch; low transfer of knowledge/external schooling effect; weak technology indicators and dependence on foreign technologies at the micro level.
Second- that the poor local technology indicators/indigenous capability to build the local technology and heavy dependence on foreign technology can be attributed to lack of R&D activities/efforts, due to a lack of funding, low skill levels, weak linkages, lack of networks systems and collaboration between universities and industry/firms, low transfer of knowledge and a lack of entrepreneur perspective.
Third- that the transfer of knowledge/external schooling effects is successful at the micro level but unsuccessful at the macro level due to low educational qualifications and deficient educational and training systems.
Fourth- that skill and technology indicators are significantly determined by firm size and industry.
Fifth- concerns the consistency of upskilling plans at the macro-micro levels.

Finally, one advantage and interesting element in the analysis is a new contribution to the Sudanese literature, explaining the causes, consequences and interaction between the low skill and technology indicators and the transfer of knowledge. Recommendations include further efforts to improve skill and technology indicators and transfer of knowledge at the macro and micro levels which are all essential for economic growth and development in Sudan.

July 8, 2011/by actualize

Agriculture, Business Enabling Environment, Economic Growth & Trade, Education, Originally posted on the GBI Portal, Tech Transfer, Youth Development

Ghana Opens More Rural Technology Facilities…

Ghana, West Africa’s emerging ICT hub, inaugurated two more Rural Technology Facilities (RTFs) last week. RTFs form part of Ghana’s thrust “to enhance and build a strong and vibrant rural economy to reduce unemployment, poverty and ruraL-urban migration.”

The new RTFs at Goaso and Bechem, which cost US$637, 636, brings the complement to 15; and Hanna Tetteh, Ghana’s Minister of Trade and Industry, says seven more are in the pipeline.

Tetteh says Ghana will continue to establish RTFs country-wide to support the transfer of technologies to farmers, agroprocessors, artisans, unemployed youth and micro and small enterprises.

According to government estimates, the existing RTFs have enabled the establishment of over 21, 000 businesses and 52, 000 jobs across Ghana’s 10 geopolitical regions.

The RTF drive, which is funded by Ghana, in collaboration with, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the African Development Bank (ADB), house technical workshops with modern equipment and trained technical personnel. RTFs are capable of providing technical training, promotion and dissemination of technology to boost the capacity of micro and small-scale enterprises.

To find out more about Ghana’s efforts to cement its position as a West African hub for ICTs, go here.

June 22, 2011/by actualize

Agriculture, Cross Cutting, Economic Growth & Trade, Economic Policy and Governance, Enterprise Development, Originally posted on the GBI Portal, Tech Transfer, Trade & Investment

A West African ICT Hub? Ghana’s $10 Billion Legacy Plan…

The Ghanian government will spend $10 billion to realize its potential as a major ICT hub in West Africa.

Last week, Ghana said it “initiated the establishment of an innovation center that will promote export-oriented ICT products and services and generate employment opportunities.” The center will form part of an ICT Park to be built in Tema.

The West African nation notes that these plans are part of its drive to build a knowledge-based economy. The “Communications Minister, Mr Haruna Idrissu, said ICT parks worldwide played a critical role as intermediaries that supported knowledge-based economies.” The minister cited the Smart Village in Egypt, Innovation hub in South Africa, Software Technology in India and Technology Park in Malaysia as models for Ghana.

The establishment of ICT Parks may also strengthen the link between Ghanian research institutions and industry. This may engender a culture of commercial research funding, instead of the state-based framework currently used.

Mr. Idrissu says the project is a collaboration between Ghanian businesses, and the Ministries of Trade and Industry and Communication, which will stimulate private sector-led investment in ICT infrastructure. The proposed park is expected to promote technology development and diffusion, and stimulate the formation of new technology-based firms, which will boost wealth creation and provide jobs.

He says efforts are underway to build consensus for the project. Stakeholders were invited to a meeting to view the proposed design of the ICT Park. Ghana has instituted a range of measures to boost its position as a leading player in Africa’s emerging technology sector. Its eGhana project is slated to create over 7, 000 high-end jobs.

June 14, 2011/by actualize

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