Page 35 - UNAM Annual Report 2017

RESEARCH, INNOVATION & DEVELOPMENT
Key Activities and Accomplishments
Pro-Vice Chancellor: Research, Innovation & Development
Centre for Innovation and Development
The University established the Centre for
Innovation and Development, which
commenced its operations in January 2017 after
a director had been recruited in November 2016.
Located in the Office of the Pro-Vice Chancellor
for Research, Innovation and Development,
the Centre is tasked with coordinating the
commercialisation process of UNAM research
and innovation outputs.
Some notable progress can be reported in the
work done on the transformation of invader
acacia bush into animal feed, in a collaborative
project executed with faculty of Agriculture &
Natural Resources in partnership with Embassy
of Finland; the latter provided funding for two
years.
The Centre supported the Assisted Animal
Reproductive Biotechnology Programme. The
programme is aimed at applying mature and
cutting-edge animal reproductive techniques
to boost Namibia’s livestock numbers, and
preserve wild animal species, especially those
at risk of extinction. Through this programme, the
best genetic pool of domestic animals can be
utilised effectively, farming and management
skills can be created, and knowledge-based
economic development and critical mass for
animal reproductive biotechnology can be
established to sustain research, innovation and
development.
The Centre managed to publish two peer-
reviewed journal articles during the period under
review, and presented three papers at local and
international conferences in 2017.
Centre for Research and Publications
The University’s research-related activities are
coordinated and supported by the Centre for
Research and Publications, which includes UNAM
Press. During the review period, the Centre was
actively involved in research activities pertaining
to the European Union-funded StoR research
project (Strengthening of Collaboration,
Leadership and Professionalization of Research
Management in SADC and EU Higher Education
Institutions), in which UNAM is part of a consortium
of 12 universities in the region and abroad. The
project was awarded €976 665,00 for a year
commencing 15 October 2017, including all
members of the consortium.
The Centre presented a Research and
Innovation Day in collaboration with the Centre
for Innovation at the Sam Nujoma Campus in
3232