RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGICAL ORGANIZATIONS (RTOs) NETWORK AT
THE WORLD ASSOCIATION OF INDUSTRIAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL
RESEARCH ORGANIZATIONS (WAITRO) CONFERENCE ON
INDUSTRIALISATION
PRESS RELEASE
Over 150 professionals from World Association of Industrial and Technological Research
Organizations (WAITRO) member organizations, regional and international RTOs, researchers,
academicians, scientists and engineers engaged in proactive dialogue on the two-day Networking
Conference on industrialization.
The discussion around the theme “RTOs as drivers for industrialization and socio-economic
transformation” commenced at the Uganda Industrial Research Institute (UIRI) on March 26,
2015. The conference attracted participants from over 13 countries including Germany,
Denmark, Trinidad & Tobago, Thailand, Malaysia, Colombia, Jordan, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya,
Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi.
While officially opening the conference, Minister of Education, Science Technology and Sports,
Jessica Alupo congratulated Prof. Charles Kwesiga upon being elected President of WAITRO, a
global association of Research and Technological Organizations (RTOs) spanning over 80
countries.
She reechoed the importance of Science, Technology and Innovation as key drivers of socioeconomic transformation of the country. She also emphasized the need for increasing
government support to Institutions like Uganda Industrial Research Institute, which are engaged
in research and technology transfer
During the day 1 conference issues that raised discussions spanned off from the presentations
delivered by various industry professionals. The speakers included Dr. Ruben Cruz (CIDET –
Colombia), Dr. Victor Konde (United Nations Economic Commission for Africa – UNECA) and
Mr. Moses Dachariga Mengu (Danish Technological Institute – DTI). Others were Mr. George
Ndira (EAC) and Eng. Abeer Arafat (Royal Scientific Society – Jordan). The topics covered
included: Trends in Technology Development, Use and Transfer in Africa; Green Technology;
Regional Research and Development Policy in advancement of technology and innovation;
Driving Regional Integration through Industrialization; and WAITROs success stories in
technology transfer to industry.
Also in attendance were Hon. Dr. James Mutende, Minister of State for Trade and Industry, Hon.
Jesca Eriyo, Deputy Secretary General of the East African Community (EAC) responsible for
Productive and Social sectors.
The conference proceeds on Friday, March 27, 2015 with a pulsating discourse on;
a) The Danish Technology Institute and Denmark’s’ experiences with technology transfer
to Industry;
b) The Role of RTOs in sustainable development of SMEs: The South African Experience;
c) RTOs role in technology transfer, narrowing the gap across the technological divide;
d) Putting it all together – the Science Technology and Innovations Hub
e) Selected country profiles: Lessons from Trinidad & Tobago, Thailand and Egypt
Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Sports Major (Rtd.) Jesca Alupo addressing participants at the
WAITRO Conference during the official opening at Uganda Research Institute (UIRI)–Kyambogo from 26th – 27th
March 2015.
Group photograph of some of participants from all represented countries in Africa at UIRI- Kyambogo