NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY - KENYA

PROGRAMMES / ACTIVITIES

1.

Development of a National Framework for Exploitation of Biotechnology Programme

The Programme encompasses putting in place of the necessary institutions, policies and laws to ensure Biosafety in the country. This has resulted in the establishment of a National Biosafety Authority  responsible for the management of all the modern biotechnology in Kenya. The programme will lead to the putting in place and coordination structure for Biosafety regulatory agencies in order to harmonize the activities of regulatory agencies.

2.

Integration of Nuclear Science and Technology Programme

This programme entails a regular review of the Country Program Framework regarding the programming of technical cooperation between Kenya and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Part of the programme involves the coordination of IAEA funded activities in the country. Kenyan institutions cooperate with the Agency on a number of contracts and an agreement.

3.

Research Clearance/Authorization Programme

a.

Research Clearance and Authorization: - The objective of this programme is to ensure that the proposed research activities do not infringe on the national security, cultural heritage and other international and national treaties and agreements in, among others, the field of environmental conservation.

b.

Management of the ST&I Fund: - The Council has restructured its Research Grant Programme to establish a Foundation for a revolving and sustainable source of income for financing of research.

c.

Science and Technology Awareness: -This is being created through a national conference  and exhibition for the dissemination of research  results and innovations in the country over the last year or so.

d.

Research Inventory: The development of this inventory entails the capture and maintenance of data on clearance of research, research grant applications and funded research/innovation activities. The inventory will be a searchable database so as to make it available to both local and international collaborators.

4.

Space and Environmental Science Actvities entail:-

a.

the preparation and coordination of African Resource environment and Management Satellite Constellation (ARMC)  a collaboration between the Governments of Algeria, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa with the  objective of  establishing an African Satellite.

b.

championing, in collaboration with Ministry of State for Defence, activities towards the establishment of National Space Secretariat (NSS), a forerunner of Kenya Space Agency;

c.

the coordination of national activities for outreach and scientific programmes for the implementation of International Year of Planet Earth (IYPE) activities in Kenya.

5.

International infrasound and hydro-acoustic monitoring activity involves coordination of the management of international infrasound and hydro-acoustic monitoring activities of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization in Kenya.

6.

Health Science Promotion Activity is in regard to promoting the development of nuclear medicine programmes in Kenya: - through the establishment of the National Centre for Nuclear medicine in collaboration with Kenyatta National Hospital.

7.

Science and Technology Information Documentation

Promotion of enhanced documentation and referral services for scientific and technological information to ensure  sustainable growth and application of sciences and technology information.