ATPS National Chapter - Kenya

NATIONAL COORDINATOR. Mr Kenneth Aduda is a Principal Research Scientist at Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI). He has been responsible for management of World Bank/GOK funded technology and business development project which has contributed to the growth of more than 1600 medium size enterprises (MSE). He is also involved in formulation of MSE Sessional Paper, national ICT policies; energy policies; renewable energy development & standards; energy management in private and public sector; capacity building of Engineers/Manager.

CHARTERS' HISTORY. The Kenya Chapter is one of the twenty three Chapters of the ATPS Network which were established in 1994. The ATPS Network traces its roots to an international conference held in Vienna in 1979 to review the state of science and technology in Africa. Among the critical weaknesses revealed, was the absence of a significant body of policy research and established mechanisms for consensus building.

These concerns gave The International Development Research Centre (IDRC) the impetus in 1982, to commence efforts to develop the interest of university-based researchers in Africa in science and technology policy issues.

This led to the launch in 1989 of the West and East/Southern regional networks under the joint sponsorship of IDRC and Carnegie Corporation of New York.

In 1994 the two networks merged into a single network, ATPS, with additional sponsorship by the Rockefeller foundation.

The benefits sought through the merger were the consolidation of programs into regional priorities and increased interaction of researchers while still catering for country specific needs.

Since its inception ATPS Network has sought to coordinate the research activities going on in the fifteen member countries, strengthen the research skills of new members, and establish national focal points.

It has also promoted inter-country research efforts and placed emphasis on publications and dissemination of research results. The network increased its outreach to policymakers and began a dissemination program that included national seminars, publication of newsletter, policy briefs, working papers, and technical reports.

Objectives: The objectives of Chapter are to:

Build capacity for technology policy research, analysis and formulation

Improve the quality of S&T policy research for poverty and reduction and environmental sustainability in Kenya.

Organizational Framework: The management structure of the Chapter has been developed to encourage flexibility and autonomy on the part of its research groups. It creates space for intellectual creativity and encourages researchers to adapt and vary their work as evolving circumstances warrant. Management system of the Chapter are designed to ensure accountability and high quality output. They aim at achieving a balance between autonomy and control to optimize the creativity of the whole network.