1. What is UNCTAD´s "Network of Centres of Excellence"?

The Network of Centres of Excellence is an UNCTAD project designed to work with selected outstanding scientific and technological institutions in the developing world, using them as regional hubs of learning and training for scientists and engineers from developing countries, especially from Africa.

It was established in 2005 at UNCTAD on the recommendation of the United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD).

2. What does the Network of Centres of Excellence do?

The Network of Centres of Excellence organizes long- and short-term training courses for scientists from developing countries, seeking to create links within the scientific community and strengthen the mobility of scientists from these countries, especially from Africa.

The training courses focus on new and emerging technologies, such as biotechnologies and ICTs.

3. Who sponsors the Network of Centres of Excellence?

UNCTAD´s Network of Centres of Excellence is sponsored by the Government of Italy.

More information here.

4. Why a Network of Centres of Excellence?

Science and technology are increasingly emerging as critical instruments for assisting developing countries in tackling development challenges and bridging the North–South gap.

Therefore, developing countries need to build up their scientific and technological capacity and access new and emerging technologies, participating in the development and mastery of these technologies and their adaptation to local conditions.

5. Why biotechnologies and ICTs?

Biotechnologies and ICTs are particularly crucial tools for helping developing countries to tackle development challenges.

Biotechnologies provide opportunities for developing countries to meet local needs of food security, improved healthcare and environmental sustainability. Examples of their applications are molecular diagnostics, vaccine and drug delivery techniques, bioremediation and nutritionally enriched genetically modified crops.

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) have great potential as tools for development by allowing rapid dissemination of information, enhancing the productivity of local industries and increasing efficiency in the delivery of basic social services.

6. Who does the Network of Centres of Excellence target?

The Network of Centres of Excellence targets the following:

i. Outstanding scientific and technological institutions in the developing world that want to become part of the Network;

ii. Scientists and engineers from developing countries who want to participate in the training courses organized by the Network;

iii. Public and private bodies that approve the objectives of the Network and wish to sponsor it.

 
7. How can scientific institutions become partners of the Network of Centres of Excellence?

Scientific institutions and research centres that wish to become partners of the Network are submitted to the evaluation of the Steering Committee of the project, which is composed of eminent figures from the scientific and international community. Interested institutions should contact the Network of Centres of Excellence´s staff.

More information on selection criteria and contacts here.

8. Who can participate in the training courses organized by the Network of Centres of Excellence?

Scientists, engineers, university lecturers and researchers are welcome to apply to the training courses and seminars organized by the Network of Centres of Excellence.

So far, participation in the training courses has been open exclusively to African scientists, but new training courses for scientists from other developing countries are planned.

9. I am a scientist/engineer from a non-African developing country. Can I still participate in the training courses organized by the Network of Centres of Excellence?

For the time being, participation in the training courses organized by the Network of Centres of Excellence has been open exclusively to African participants.

However, new training courses for scientists and engineers from other developing countries are planned. Remember to visit the training courses page of the website from time to time to check for new courses and seminars!

10. What must I do in order to participate in one of the training courses organized by the Network of Centres of Excellence?

In order to be eligible for participation to one of the training courses organized by the Network, candidates must satisfy all the conditions listed in the training course announcement.

Candidates should send the required documentation to the email address indicated on the announcement before the specified deadline. Please note that applications that are submitted after the deadline or incomplete will be rejected.

More information on training courses and conditions for participation here.