Grants elevate Poly research output
Mrs Alushe Nditya, (middle left) of the National Commission on Research, Science and Technology with Prof Tjama Tjivikua (middle), rector of the Polytechnic of Namibia, with the researchers whose work will be covered by grants from the commission.
The commission, as the competent authority responsible for coordination and development of research, science, technology and innovation has given researchers from the Polytechnic grants for seven research projects to the value of over N$1.3 million, running over a period of two years, 2014 and 2015.
The grants were awarded to successful Namibian researchers and scientists in partnership with South African researchers from institutions of higher learning who submitted research project proposals to the commission for funding under the Namibia South Africa Bilateral Collaboration Research Programme.
Following a call for proposals, “a total of 59 applications were received, all of which were subject to a review process to ensure that they had scientific validity, were of good quality and are authentic and innovative. Thirty projects were then selected for funding of which seven researchers are from the Polytechnic of Namibia.” said Mrs Alushe Nditya, Manager: Resource Mobilisation and Grant Management at the NCRST.
“I would like to thank the NCRST for availing the research grants to the Polytechnic. You are playing a critical role in fostering a stronger culture of research and innovation” said Prof Tjama Tjivikua, Rector at the Polytechnic. The purpose of the research calls was to provide opportunities for joint, collaborative research between researchers in Namibia and South Africa, establishing the foundation for building a critical mass of researchers and scientific capacity for both countries. Grants run for a period of two years, with the next call for research proposals expected to take place in 2015. After the two-year funding period, researchers are expected to provide a report on their findings, detailing the outcomes of their research. Significant results are expected to trigger further ongoing research or at least a critical examination of empirical results which in turn is expected to drive the transition of the research results into innovative, technological products or add value and quality to services.
To qualify for a grant, a research proposal must be located in biosciences, space science, indigenous knowledge systems, mathematics, mineral resources, laser sciences or energy.
