The NEPAD Agency in collaboration with the Cameroonian Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation (MINRESI) organised a training workshop on the collection of Science Technology and Innovation Indicators (STI) in Yaounde, Cameroon from 3 to 6 October. The workshop was the first in a series of workshops aimed at developing African capacity to collect and use STI indicators, under the African Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators (ASTII) initiative which is funded by Sida[i].

The workshop which was opened by Mrs Madeleine Rebecca Etame Ebelle, Secretary General (Permanent Secretary) of the Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation, on behalf of the Minister- Hon. Madeleine Tchuinte attracted 65 participants representing 22 out of the 28 African countries currently participating in the ASTII Initiative.In her opening remarks, Mme Ebelle encouraged the participants to use the workshop as an opportunity to improve the Science, Technology and Innovation systems in Africa through the production of reliable statistics and indicators.

The training was essential in setting the stage for the process leading to the publication of the African Innovation Outlook in 2012. 

Participants were trained in methodologies for the measurement of Research and experimental development (R&D) and Innovation; Understanding of R&D and Innovation definitions and concepts in relation to STI Indicators; R&D and Innovation data collection and frameworks; processing R&D and innovation survey data  and analysis and dissemination; and making linkages between STI indicators, science policies and development.

At the end of the three days, participants expressed their satisfaction with the workshop and were of the view that it had addressed some of the challenges that had been experienced in Phase 1 with concepts related to the measurement of Research and experimental development and Innovation. Through a participatory process, participants agreed to a standardized format for the questionnaires that would be used for both the R&D and Innovation surveys and made commitments to carry out the next round of innovation and R & D surveys in line with the roadmap established for the 2012 Outlook.

By the NPCA ASTII Team