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IV. SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION PROGRAM

I. Background

The Office of Science, Technology and Innovation (OSTI) of the Department of Economic Development, Trade and Tourism (SEDI/DEDTT) executes its activities in the framework of the Strategic Plan for Partnership for Integral Development, in compliance with the mandates of the Summits of the Americas and the Meetings of Ministers and High Authorities in Science and Technology of the Hemisphere.

The central theme of the Second Meeting of Ministers and High Authorities in Science and Technology, held in Mexico City in October 2008, was “Science, Technology, Engineering and Innovation (STEI) as Tools for Prosperity”. The ensuing Declaration and Plan of Action focus on the following areas:

  • Public policies for integral development
  • Sustainable natural resource management
  • Increasing productivity

The Declaration and Plan of Action recognize that STEI are fundamental to increase the productivity and competitiveness of the economic sectors of the countries and the quality of life, as well as to promote social inclusion.

II. Objectives

The Science, Technology and Innovation Program promotes and supports the development and strengthening of STEI capacities in the Member States, especially with regard to the design and formulation of public policies for development, sustainable natural resource management and increased regional competitiveness.

III. Activities and Projects

The projects and activities that are implemented as part of this program promote cooperation among countries and organizations and institutional and human capacity building. The projects that make up the Science, Technology and Innovation Programaredeveloped in coordination with regional and international organizationsand national institutions from Member States, and have gender equity as a cross-cutting topic.

Area No. 1: Public policies for integral development.

Projects to support the formulation of public policies in the following areas:

Popularization and Appropriation of Science

  • Empowering Society in Science, Technology and Innovation Program (ESSTI)(Only available in Spanish)

Area No. 2: Sustainable natural resource management

The following projects focus on the efficient use of natural resources and promoting the competitiveness of the SMEs in emerging areas of the economy:

Biotechnology

  • Regional Network of Competitive Small Businesses / Cooperatives working with Native Plants and their by- Products ( in preparation)
  • Regional Mechanism to promote Competitiveness of Businesses working with Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) ( in preparation)
  • Creation of the Biotechnology Innovation for the AmericasNetwork (BIONNA)
  • Agua sin Tuberías, Energía sin Cables: Tecnología solares y de células de hidrogeno para atender áreas de desastres remotas y comunidades aisladas ( in preparation)

Area No. 3: Increasing productivity.

Takes into account the hemispheric initiative “Engineering for the Americas” (EftA) to improve engineering education and supports capacity building in logistics and metrology in the Region.

“Engineering for the Americas” (EftA)

  • Education Engineering for Competitiveness (EEC)
  • Training in Leadership and Gender for Women Engineering Professors (in preparation)

Inter-American Metrology System

  • Triangular Cooperation: Metrology for Natural Gas in Latin America
  • Improving Metrology Infrastructure in Central America and the Dominican Republic: A Plan of Action
  • Improving Quality Systems to increase Competitiveness in the Dominican Republic and Central America (in preparation)

IV. Partner Institutions

National organizations for Science, Technology and Innovation, National Metrology Institutes, Universities, the private sector, Non-Governmental Institutions and research and development Institutes and Laboratories of the member States as well as international and regional development organizations and cooperation agencies.

IV. Contact and Information

Oscar Harasic

Chief of the Office of Science, Technology and Innovation

Department of Economic Development, Trade and Tourism

Tel: 202-458-3375

Fax: 202-458-3259

Email:

Program DNA:
Economic Development/ Science and Technology / Competitiveness /MISME/ Public Policies/CapacityBuilding/ Innovation / Engineering / Gender/ Social Inclusion

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ONGOING PROJECTS

1. ENGINEERING EDUCATION FOR COMPETITIVENESS (EEC)

The objective of the Engineering Education for Competitiveness project is to upgrade the Engineering curricula in Latin America and the Caribbean in order to help prepare highly qualified professionals with strong innovation and entrepreneurial skills.

I. Background

Engineering constitutes a field of study that is uniquely positioned to contribute to sustainable economic growth. LAC is struggling to meet the increasing demand for high-level engineering professionals with global competencies. In general, LAC engineering programs lack curricular elements such as the availability of multiple elective courses and tracks, an entrepreneurial vision, applied research and real work experience (coops). In comparison with countries from the Organization for Economic Cooperation for Development (OECD), LAC produces fewer engineers per year. For example, in 2007 ALC produced 485 new engineers per million inhabitants, while in OECD countries this number reaches 710.

The EEC Program is undertaken in the context of the OAS hemispheric initiative “Engineering for the Americas” (EftA), which is supported by the highest authorities of science, technology and innovation (STI) of the Hemisphere. EEC focuses on improving engineering education as a catalyst for innovation, competitiveness and sustainable economic growth where the development of green technologies and the efficient use of scarce available resources is fundamental.

EEC contemplates five core areas of engineering: Civil, Industrial, Mechanical, Electrical and Chemical (CIMEQ for its Spanish acronym). The Project will begin with Industrial Engineering as it is one of the fastest growing branches of engineering careers.

It is expected that at least eight universities (two per each sub-region: Mexico and Central America, the Caribbean, the Andean countries, and the Southern Cone) will integrate the modifications and recommendations resulting from the projectinto their curricula.

II. Objectives of the EECProject

The project significantly contributes to LAC’s competitiveness and capacity for innovation through a highly qualified engineering labor force by means of curricular improvements in the five core engineering branches (CIMEQ) in LAC universities. These improvements include content updates and the adoption of global competencies and entrepreneurial skills. At all stages of this project, care will be exercised to include gender equity and youth as cross cutting elements.

III. Participants and Partner Institutions

Key Actors: Direct beneficiaries include engineering schools and students, as well as LAC businesses and public institutions.

Partner Institutions: Public and private universities and institutions members of the EftA Advisory Board: ,

American Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET); Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB); International Federation of Engineering Education Societies (IFEES); Consortium of Latin American and Caribbean Engineering (LACCEI); Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio); Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaiso (PUCV); Young Americas Business Trust (YABT); Brazilian National Confederation of Industry (CNI); Ibero-American Science and Technology Education Consortium (ISTEC); Argentinean Center of Engineers (CAI); Federal Council of Deans of Engineering of Argentina (CONFEDI); Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education (ITESM-Tec); The University of West Indies at Trinidad and Tobago; Microsoft and HP Laboratories Open Innovation Office.

Other Potential Partner Institutions:Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC); Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI); Caribbean Development Bank (CDB); World Bank (WB); Inter-American Development Bank (IDB); World Economic Forum–Latin America; Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Georgia Institute of Technology, Cornell University and other universities in the region, among others.

IV. Expected Outcome

The program will be deemed successful when curricular programs, based on the minimum requirements to obtain international recognition by developed countries, are integrated into LAC’s university study programs offering graduates global competencies and entrepreneurial skills. In the long run, participating universities will also be able to support peer universities in their country or sub-region in implementing their own curricular improvements, thus creating a multiplier effect. In addition, the project expects to have sustainable mechanisms for curricular improvementthrough the development of an Interactive Portal that will serve as a virtual platform for an Inter-American Engineering Education Network.

IV. Contact and Information

Oscar Harasic

Chief of the Office of Science, Technology and Innovation

Department of Economic Development, Trade and Tourism

Tel: 202-458-3375

Fax: 202-458-3259

Email:

Program DNA:
Economic Development / Competitiveness / Science and Technology / CapacityBuilding / Gender / Youth

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2. NATURAL GAS METROLOGY IN LATIN AMERICA

This project contributes to the standardization of the natural gas market in Bolivia and Peru and promotes greater efficiency in its production, distribution and marketing. The project integrates and important South-South cooperation element since it is based on the transfer of metrological capabilities developed in Brazil and Mexico.

I. Background

The use of natural gas as a major energy source for domestic use is constantly expanding in Latin America. Metrology infrastructure is a key technical requirement to ensure efficient control, distribution, marketing and utilization of natural gas. This project is framed in the Inter-American Metrology System (SIM) and aims to increase Bolivia and Peru’s technical competencies to measure natural gas (volume and contents). It is being implemented with financial support from the national metrology institute of Germany (PTB), technical assistance from the national metrology institutes of Brazil and México and the fact that Bolivia and Peru improve their capacities makes it a triangular cooperation project.

II. Objectives

First stage, 2007-2010:

  • Increase technical capabilities in natural gas of the national metrology institutes of Bolivia and Peru
  • Strengthen Brazil and Mexico’s technology transfer capabilities
  • To contribute to a more equitable natural gas market in the region of direct benefits to the consumer

Second Stage:

  • Replicate similar cooperation models for other countries in LAC in the field of natural gas.

III. Participants and Partner Institutions

Instituto Boliviano de Metrología, Bolivia; Instituto Nacional de Metrologia, Normalização e Qualidade Industrial, Brasil; Centro Nacional de Metrología, México; Instituto Nacional de Defensa de la Competencia y de la Protección de la Propiedad Intelectual, Perú; Germany’s PTB-Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt.

VI. Results

  • Diagnostic of metrological capacities for natural gas in for Bolivia and Peru.
  • Training of laboratory personnel of Bolivia and Peru by national metrology institutions of Brazil (chemical content) and Mexico (volume of gas fluids).
  • Identification of infrastructure requirements for the laboratories of Peru’s and Bolivia’s national metrology institutions and technical services for calibration and measurement equipment.
  • Strengthening of metrology capacities for natural gas (volume and content) in laboratories.
  • Certification services for natural gas blending.

IV. Contact and Information

Oscar Harasic

Chief of the Office of Science, Technology and Innovation

Department of Economic Development, Trade and Tourism

Tel: 202-458-3375

Fax: 202-458-3259

Email:

Program DNA:
Economic Development / Competitiveness / Science and Technology / CapacityBuilding / Metrology / Cooperation / Trade

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IV.3 PROJECT TO STRENGTHEN METROLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE IN CENTRAL AMERICA AND

THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

In its first phase the projects aims assess the metrological capacity of Central American Countries and the Dominican Republic and develop a feasible National and Regional Plan of Action for a cooperative metrology network to strengthen the capabilities of participating countries. The second phase contemplates the implementation of the Plan of Action.

I. Background

The Central American countries and the Dominican Republic have been working to improve their National Quality Infrastructure (QI) – in order to meet quality standards that will allow them greater participation in international markets. To attain these standards, they require reliable measurement systems that comply with international standards, which is why it is fundamental for them to develop reliable ,efficient and globally recognized metrology institutions )National Metrology Systems. Reaching this goal signifies that they their institutions will be able to issue internationally validated certification

Since the establishment of a National Measurement System is very costly a regional network approach for Central America and the Dominican Republic based taking advantage of the metrological capacities of each country is proposed. This network would provide reliable measurements on mass, temperature, time, length, among others. It will also create economies of scale and will help lower individual costs, thus improving their competitiveness.

II. Objectives

In its first phase, prepare a Plan of Action for the development of a Regional Network of Metrology Services through a cooperation mechanism based on the capabilities of each participating countries. A second phase contemplates implementing the Plan of Action.

III. Participants and Partner Institutions

Partner Institutions: Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB-Germany), Centro Nacional de Metrología de México (CENAM-Mexico), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST- US), Korean Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS-Korea), and the national metrology institutes of participating countries.

IV. Expected Outcomes

In the first phase:

  • Demand assessment of basic metrological services in the region.
  • Diagnostic of existing metrological capacities in each country.
  • Preparation of a Regional Plan of Action for the development of a sub-regional Metrology Network with distributed capabilities.
  • Approved National and Regional Plan of Action.

The second phase contemplates the implementation of the Plan of Action.

IV. Contact and Information

Oscar Harasic

Chief of the Office of Science, Technology and Innovation

Department of Economic Development, Trade and Tourism

Tel: 202-458-3375

Fax: 202-458-3259

Email:

Study DNA:
Economic Development / Competitiveness/ Science & Technology/CapacityBuilding / Metrology / Cooperation / Trade

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IV. 4. SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION FOR SOCIETY (STIS)

The main objective of the Science, Technology and Innovation for Society Project(Only available in Spanish) is to improve society’s understanding of these issues by strengthening the communication skills of journalists and promoting an increased dissemination of this information in Latin America and the Caribbean.

I. Background

The project is based on specific mandates for the popularization of science, technology and innovation (STI) and good governance. These mandates recognize STI as drivers of socioeconomic development in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).

Popularization of STI can be understood as effective communication and dissemination of STI knowledge to promote the appropriation of this information by society; that is, a society able to understand and act upon relevant STI issues. A society with access to information recognizes the importance of STI for development and increased democracy. Scientific journalism is an essential part in building STI national capacities since it helps to convey technical knowledge to society, thus becoming an important tool for promoting democracy.

II. Objectives

To contribute to an effective dissemination and appropriation of STI knowledge by LAC’s society; it promotes horizontal cooperation across countries to strengthen scientific journalism capabilities through the exchange of best practices and training. At all stages of this program, care will be exercised to ensure gender equality and equity.

III. Participants and Partner Institutions

Key Actors: Direct beneficiaries include journalists, the National Organisms of Science and Technology (ONCYTS), policy makers responsible for the development of STI policies, scientific journalism associations and the media. Other indirect beneficiaries will be scientists and researchers, research centers, institutes and universities, productive sector and citizens.

Partner Institutions: ONCYTS and national scientific journalism associations; Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), ), Consultoría en Prensa y Comunicación; S.A. de C.V., Foro Consultivo Científico y Tecnológico (FCCyT); Fundación México-Estados Unidos para la Ciencia (FUMEC); Knight Foundation; National Science Foundation; Institute of the Americas (IOA).

Other Potential Partner Institutions:Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC); Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI); Inter-American Development Bank (IDB); Caribbean Development Bank (CDB); World Bank (WB); World Economic Forum–Latin America; National Cooperation Agencies and universities.

IV. Expected Outcomes

Three sub-regional capacity building seminars will be held to train scientific journalists who will train other professionals to improve their skills to communicate STI issues in their respective countries. These seminars will also offer awareness sessions for STI policy makers. It also includes de development of an Inter-American Scientific Journalism Portal that will include ONCYTs, journalists, media, academic institutions, the private sector and will function as a platform to promote cooperation among them.

IV. Contact and Information

Jorge Durán

Senior Specialist, Office of Science, Technology and Innovation

Department of Economic Development, Trade and Tourism

Tel: 202-458-6431

Fax: 202-458-3259

Email:

Program DNA:
Economic Development / STII / Social Inclusion in STI / Public Policy / CapacityBuilding /Popularization and Appropriation of Science / Gender

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