Science council supports Outside the Box

Creative and innovative thinking among young people is supported by the National Commission on Research, Science and Technology through a systematic grant scheme to help them translate their grand ideas into reality.
Eleven Youth Innovators were granted awards by the National Commission on Research, Science and Technology, (NCRST) at its recently held Youth Innovators Grand Award Ceremony which is aimed at Namibian youth between the age of 19 and 35 years, who are able to develop new ideas and creative thinking.
Dr. Eino Mvula, Chief Executive Officer, NCRST said that they have also recognised the challenges that some of the innovators might face and are working on modalities to support them through mentorship. “For this reason the NCRST has concluded an agreement with a team of experts specializing in SME mentoring, Coaching and Business Development Services to provide business development and management training to Youth Innovators,” he emphasised.
Mvula also clarified that innovative thinking and solutions need not be confined to scientist or be about cutting edge technology or rocket science. “Simple innovations and small improvements can sometimes make a bigger impact as they can be widely applied to enhance the quality of our daily life,” he explained.
The Youth Innovators Grand Award Ceremony provided the Youth Innovators with a platform to engage with key industry stakeholders and it also exposed and marketed them within their respective sectors. The youth should also be able to strengthen concepts of innovation and be able to address enabling technologies which will provide wide application solutions that address economic and social challenges within the Namibian society.
The 4th National Call for Youth Innovators Proposals was issued in line with Section 5 (m) and 24 (3c) of the Research, Science and Technology Act, 2004 (Act No 23 of 2004).