Science & Technology

Science & Technology

Directorate of Science and Technology

The State Department for Science, Research and Innovation operates through two Directorates, with distinctive yet complementary roles in fulfilling the State Department mandate:

This Directorate is headed by Secretary, Science and Technology who is responsible for the following:

  1. Administer policies and programmes on Science, Research and Innovation;
  2. Develop an integrated framework for collaboration among research institutions, academia and Industry;
  3. Promote Science, Research and Innovation as key drivers of sustainable social-economic development 
  4. Evaluation of Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics;  
  5. Documentation of Research infrastructure in Research institutions, Universities and Technical, education and vocational trainings
  6. Monitor and evaluate scientific and technological activities in the country;
  7. Managing mechanism of research equipment portfolio at public Institutions
  8. Formulate and review Science, Technology and innovation Policies and Strategies;
  9. Develop Science, Technology and Innovation Implementation Frameworks;
  10. Develop National Policy Reports and Position Papers on specific Science, Technology and Innovation areas;
  11. Provide technical/expert policy support to stakeholders in Science, Technology and Technology Sector;
  12. Develop Science, Technology and Innovation Statistics Observatory.
  13. Indigenous Knowledge exploitation;
  14. Establishment, monitoring and evaluation of Innovation Centres at public institutions

This Directorate comprises two divisions below each led by a director:- 

The Division is headed by a Director, Science and Technology Promotion, who is responsible for the following functions.

  1. Formulate, implement and review policies, frameworks, strategies, guidelines and standards for science and technology (S&T) promotion;
  2. Promote and coordinate scientific and technological programmes and projects that support local initiatives;
  3. Develop a national strategy for science communication and public engagement with science and technology; 
  4. Promote science communication through engagement platforms such as exhibitions, science festivals, workshops and community dialogues among others to raise awareness of scientific developments and bridge the gap between scientists and the public; 
  5. Establish S&T infrastructure needs for the country;
  6. Foster scientific research and technology development to address various socio- economic challenges in the country; 
  7. Coordinate feasibility and technical studies and S&T technology impact assessments on socioeconomic development to inform decision-making; 
  8. Integrate indigenous and traditional knowledge into S&T for sustainable national development;
  9. In liaison with the Ministry of Education, enhance the capacity of education institutions to provide STEM education by facilitating the provision of support with modern and high-end STEM equipment and training for STEM human capital;
  10. Organize S&T dissemination forums such as workshops, conferences, seminars and symposiums; and
  11. Implement robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to track progress, assess impact, and make informed necessary adjustments to STI project strategies;
  12. Provide information about S&T advancements to the public and policymakers to facilitate informed decision-making; and
  13. Develop and implement programmes to create awareness on the benefits of science, technology and applications.

The Division is headed by a Director, Emerging and Frontier Technologies,  who is responsible for the following functions.

  1. Develop and implement policies, frameworks, strategies, guidelines and standards on relevant emerging and frontier technologies;
  2. Identify and analyze technological gaps within national development programmes and recommend frontier technology solutions;
  3. Advise on infrastructure requirements necessary for the development and uptake of emerging and frontier technologies;
  4. Build skills, expertise, and talents for adoption and development of emerging technologies;
  5. Develop initiatives to establish infrastructure for adoption and integration of emerging technologies;
  6. Develop guidelines on ethical deployment of emerging technologies in collaboration with Ministry responsible for ICT;
  7. Coordinate the integration of indigenous and traditional knowledge systems with emerging technologies to promote socio-economic growth; and
  8. Establish and sustain partnerships to leverage global advancements in frontier technologies for national benefit.