Background
Research is critical to establishing the needs of countries and groups within them, and to conceptualizing approaches that are likely to be effective in resolving country-specific problems.
Through a National ICT Research and Innovation system, actualization of research can be achieved by the development of a research agenda that should be placed in the context of examining how the introduction of ICTs changes the value chain and economic equation in the economy.
In the last twenty years, the ICT sector in Uganda has undergone major transformation as it adjusts to meeting the needs of a developing country in the global economy. However this process has not had the exhaustive benefit of public interest research and rigorous analysis on which to base policy and regulatory decisions. Therefore the Uganda Government is engaged in efforts to: establish mechanisms for promoting and coordinating efforts in research and development for ICT; establish a fund to support research and development efforts, with due regard to promoting innovation and participation of national professionals; and encourage private sector investment in local research and development in collaboration with local universities and institutions. The national ICT research priorities being advocated for to meet the actual research needs and interests of the country include the following: ICTs for Government and e-Government; ICTs for Health & eHealth; ICTs for Learning & eLearning; ICTs for Enterprises & eCommerce; Network Technologies; Digital Content and Digital Libraries; Geographic Information Systems; and Internet Technologies.
Current Situation
Currently, there are many research efforts in the ICT arena which are unfortunately isolated and fragmented. Furthermore, the research efforts sometimes do not translate into marketable, practical and usable solutions.
ICT research funding is currently complicated and insufficient mainly because of its Silos-based nature which odds with the dynamic, interdisciplinary and cross-fertilization nature of modern ICT related innovations. Some of the efforts are funded by different partners in an uncoordinated manner. Another setback in the current setting is the lack of central and sufficient repository for ICT research funding information.
Although there is a drive to win investors into the ICT research area in Uganda, the constraint of a clear market for ICT research might lead to underinvestment in ICT research and innovation in Uganda.
The progress of the research efforts in Uganda can benefit greatly from a proper monitoring and evaluation system which is unfortunately currently lacking in the current ICT research setting.
We should therefore be cognizant of the fact that the ultimate goal of Research is Innovation and the system is part of a larger system involving Government, Academia, Industry and Civil Society.
Roles NITA-U is playing on the IT Research Agenda
One of NITA-U’s core objectives in regard to the IT research Agenda is to promote the undertaking and commissioning of research as may be necessary. In addition, among our corporate objectives is also to carry out and fund research and development for the sector according to priorities identified within the various National development programmes.
Some of the planned activities for undertaking the IT research agenda include:
Stakeholder identification, analysis and engagement (to identify ICT Research & Innovation players);
Research and Innovation data identification, collection and analysis;
Development of the Research and Innovation System/Framework;
Development of a mechanism of dissemination and advocacy.
If the above planned activities are executed, we expect to have the following as the major outputs
(i) A National ICT Research and Innovation System implemented in Uganda in line with general global trend of research and innovation;
(ii) National (ICT) Policies & Strategies development and implementation backed by research;
(iii) National ICT Research information (such as funding, priorities, markets and progress) effectively and centrally provided.
In addition to the above, there are some other plans that are already underway to support high speed internet access to Educational Institutions and consequently improve on the country’s research efforts in ICT in particular;
National Backbone Infrastructure (NBI) which will be operational in September, 2011 and educational institutions will be able to tap in.
Upon completion of NBI (1477kms laid so far), it will provide ;
◦ High speed internet to educational and Government MDA’s
◦ Cheap internet access
◦ Plans underway to set up Government Portal to boost visibility of Educational Institutions in Uganda
Expected benefits after completion of planned activities
Provision of cheap internet to medical and educational institutions
Easy access to government services
Support of educational research online
Easy collaboration with education institutions in benchmarking and impact studies
Support of online education through fast and reliable internet
Support of educational institutions in taking their services closer to their clients through decentralization
Other projects NITA-U will be involved in inline with the IT Research Agenda
Development of ICT parks/ Business Process Outsourcing (BPO)/ Information Technology Enabled Services (ITES)
Development of National Databank
Development of District Business Information centers – one point stop for electronic services for rural communities
E-readiness survey etc.
NITA U is creating the required environment that will enable ICT research in Uganda.
Conclusion
Since we are all beneficiaries of research, I call upon all of you our stakeholders present here today to have a culture of responsibility and teamwork in order to realize a spirited IT research Agenda in Uganda.
For God and my Country
Thank you
