The Executive Director of the Science Foundation for Livelihoods (SCIFODE) Arthur Makara has appealed to the government of Uganda to step up its efforts in developing innovation, science and technology to ensure quick economic development of Uganda.

He says the Uganda Government continues to ignore the development of the science sector through it’s policies and budgetary allocations.

Uganda President, Museveni Kaguta

Makara says that Uganda government continues to see the Uganda science sector as secondary rather than a primary sector.

The 2010/11 Uganda National budget increased salaries for scientists by 30 percent and allocated funds for scientific innovations and research through institutions like the Uganda National Council of Science and Technology.

Makara says failure by Uganda government to support science has led to brain drain because people’s skills are not rewarded. He says the Uganda 2010/11 National Budget increment to scientists is meager and vague.

The Uganda National Development Plan has called for the development of the ministry of Science and Technology to enable proper support to the Uganda Science sector.

Ultimate Media

The post Uganda science activist calls for more Uganda government support to develop science first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

The Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST) is organizing the 2010 National Science Week (NSW) from 20th-24th September 2010 as part of its strategy to promote Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) in Uganda. The theme of the Week is “Science, Technology and Innovation for National Development”.  The NSW seeks to raise awareness on the pivotal role of science and technology in Uganda’s socio-economic development process, and to reflect on the achievements and progress towards enhancing Uganda’s national STI capacity.

One of the events planned in the 2010 NSW is a Young Scientists Innovation Competition, which will be hosted by Gulu University in Northern Uganda. The Competition is aimed at helping students and the public gain better understanding of how science, technology and innovation relate to their daily lives, and overall national development.

Car made by Makerere University students

In this regard, UNCST wishes to call for concept papers from interested student participants on scientific and technological innovations.

Guidelines for participation
The innovations will be judged using the following criteria;

• Relevance of the innovation
• Scientific importance of the innovation
• Potential application

Originality

• Market /commercialization potential
• Relevance to socio-economic development of Uganda
• Reliability/adoptability
• Appropriate use of local materials

Participation

• Only students of senior secondary schools are eligible to participate in this competition.
• An innovation team should consist of a maximum of 2 students.
• Each innovation team should comprise of an O and A’ Level student
• An innovation concept submitted by one person only will not be considered.

Topics

• ICT
• Biological and ecological sciences
• Physical sciences (Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics)
• Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Technological/Engineering Sciences

The concept paper must not exceed 500 words. It should briefly but clearly describe the student’s innovation and its relevance to society. Such innovation could be as a result of a student’s science project or their own initiative.

Selection process

An independent Committee of the UNCST shall review the concept papers and make a shortlist of concept papers that it will facilitate to be developed further by the proponents. The UNCST Committee will award marks based on the guidelines given above. Selected proponents will be requested to obtain recommendations from their School Head Teachers. They will also be invited to Gulu University for the final competitions. Modest prizes and recognition will be given to top innovation projects.

Submission:

The concept papers should be submitted to the Executive Secretary of UNCST at the address below not later than 25th June 2010. Submissions are acceptable in hard copies or via e-mail at ysip@uncst.go.ug This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ; a.atero@uncst.go.ug This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .Only short listed proponents will be contacted.

Please Note: Late submission of concept papers will not be allowed, and any evidence of teacher’s input into the concept paper will lead to automatic disqualification of the student from the competition.

For more information about the Student Science Innovation Competition and the 2010 NSW in general, please contact:

The Executive Secretary
Uganda National Council for Science and Technology
Plot 3/5/7 Nasser Road, Kampala
P.O.Box 6884 Kampala
Tel: 256 414 705 500
Fax: 256 414 234 579
Website: www.uncst.go.ug

The post Uganda National Council of Science and Technology Launches Competition for young scientists first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.