Dr. Mohammad Reza Sanjabi, the Centre's Director participated in International Training Programme on “STI Policy: Roles of STI for Excellence in Commercialization in Emerging Economies” that was organized by Centre for Science & Technology of the Non-Aligned and other developing countries (NAM S&T CENTRE), New Delhi, India in partnership with International Science, Technology and Innovation Centre for South-South Cooperation under the Auspices Of Unesco (Istic), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The success issue of developed nations underscore the pivotal roles of Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) coupled with effective policies in fostering socio-economic growth. While the transformative potential of STI is widely acknowledged, the critical function of policy in guiding and shaping its impact cannot be overstated. Over the past decades, countries in the Global South have recognized STI as a linchpin for national economic transformation, necessitating a strategic integration of STI in their policy-making agendas.
In the contemporary global economy, Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) serve as crucial catalysts for economic growth, competitiveness, and societal advancement. Emerging economies, with their dynamic markets and developmental ambitions, are poised to benefit immensely from effective STI policies. These economies stand at a critical juncture where the strategic implementation of STI can propel them towards sustainable and inclusive growth, fostering global economic integration and prosperity.
The International Training Programme on STI Policy was designed to address the pressing need for capacity building in STI policy formulation and implementation, with a special focus on commercialization. This program’s aim was to equip policymakers, researchers, industry leaders, and key stakeholders from emerging economies with the essential knowledge and practical tools to create an environment that nurtures scientific and technological innovation, leading to successful commercialization.
Participants delved into the principles and frameworks of effective STI policies, explore best practices and global case studies, and engage in rich knowledge exchange and networking. The program emphasized developing practical skills for policy implementation and crafting strategies to bridge the gap between research and market readiness. By focusing on these areas, the training aimed to empower stakeholders to transform scientific advancements into commercially viable products and services, thereby driving economic growth and development. Despite the recognized importance of STI policies, the policy-making process is far from linear or automatic. Developing countries, particularly in the Global South, face significant knowledge gaps in formulating comprehensive STI policies. Many lack such policies altogether, while those with existing policies struggle with implementation due to inadequate consideration of local industry needs and economic conditions, compounded by a lack of trained personnel proficient in STI policy development.
Acknowledging the crucial roles of STI and policy in technological, innovation, commercialization, and socio-economic development, and recognizing the need for policymakers to view STI as a catalyst for excellence in commercialization and economic growth, there is a need to enhance the knowledge of STI policy among the public, private sector, and policymakers, the International Science, Technology and Innovation Centre for South-South Cooperation (ISTIC) under the auspices of UNESCO, in collaboration with the Centre for Science & Technology of the Non-Aligned and Other Developing Countries (NAM S&T Centre) took the initiative to jointly organize an International Training Programme on STI Policy: Roles of STI for Excellence in Commercialization in Emerging Economies in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 12 - 14 September 2024.