ATPS Launches its USA Chapter at the Woordrow Wilson International Centre for Scholars, 1300 Pennsylvenia Avenue, Washington DC
Group Photo at the ATPS-USA Launching 08 June 2012, Woodrow Wilson International Centre for Scholars, Washington DC, USA
The USA Chapter of the African Technology Policy Studies Network Was launched on Friday 8th June 2012. The event took place at the Woodrow Wilson International Centre for Scholars, 1300 Pennsylvenia Avenue, Washington DC.
During the launch, a Policy Round Table on “The Role of Science, Technology and Innovation in Addressing Development Challenges in Africa” Was held. The main purpose of the Round Table was to Sensitize Policymakers, Researchers, the Private Sector Actors and the Civil Society in the Unites States on the role of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) for sustainable development in Africa. Other objectives included:-
- Identifying key actors in the USA National System of Innovation and prioritize key stakeholders to drive the Diaspora involvement in the mainstreaming of STI in Africa’s policy research agenda to effectively address its national and regional development plan
- Introducing the African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS) to stakeholders and identify potential actors and elect Coordinator(s) and National Steering Committee members of the ATPS Diaspora Network, USA.
The event also saw the presentation of the African Manifesto for Science Technology and Innovation to the US policy makers and Stakeholders.
Among those in attendance were Dr. Henrietta Ukwu, the Senior Vice President – Pharmaceutical Product Development USA; Prof Bill Brieger, Professor of Health Systems Research, School of Public Health – John Hopkins University; Representatives from the Woodrow Wilson Center as well as representatives from ATPS led by Prof. Shaukat Abdulrazak, ATPS Board Chair; Prof. Tuner Isoun, ATPS Board Member and Prof. Kevin Urama, ATPS Executive Director.
The diaspora chapters give fora to African Scientists, Technologists and Innovators in Diaspora allowing them build effective networks, linkages and partnerships with their counterparts in Africa for mutual benefits. Through the chapter, ATPS extends its knowledge brokerage role by having knowledge and technology generators in Diaspora on one hand, and the policy makers, the private sector, and local communities on the African continent on the other hand.