Mozambique’s Minister of Science, Technology, and Higher Education, Daniel Nivagara, reaffirmed the government's commitment to strengthening the country's Science, Technology, and Innovation ecosystem, emphasizing the importance of leveraging scientific advancements to drive sustainable development in the Digital Era.
This statement was made during the opening of the Annual Conference of the Southern African Research and Innovation Management Association (SARIMA), held for the first time in Mozambique.
Under the theme "It Takes a Village to Raise a Child," the event brought together professionals and managers in research, innovation, and technology transfer from the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The goal was to promote innovative solutions that can directly impact communities, particularly in challenging contexts.
During the opening ceremony, the government highlighted that hosting the conference in Maputo is a clear demonstration of Mozambique's engagement in seeking scientific and technological solutions for socio-economic development.
SARIMA President and Rector of Púnguè University, Professor Emília Nhalevilo, emphasized the conference as an essential platform for sharing experiences and strengthening cooperation between universities, research centers, and the productive sector.
According to Nhalevilo, efficient management is crucial to ensuring that innovation and research have a tangible impact on communities by promoting technology transfer and the effective use of scientific results.
Topics discussed at the event included artificial intelligence, indigenous knowledge systems (IKS), inclusive governance in research and innovation, research funding, and communicating research impact. Contributions of institutions to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals 2030 (SDGs 2030) and the African Union's Agenda 2063 were also addressed.
The conference was attended by rectors, directors of higher education institutions, representatives of research centers, academics, students, and members of civil society.
RECIMO Boosts Scientific Production in Mozambique
As part of the ongoing efforts to enhance scientific output in the country, the government launched the Scientific Repository of Mozambique (RECIMO). This platform enables members of the academic and scientific community to deposit technical and scientific publications, raising the visibility of research findings produced in the country.
RECIMO currently hosts 35 institutions, both public and private, and is set up to connect with other regional and global repositories, increasing the international visibility of Mozambique's scientific production. The Minister of Science, Technology, and Higher Education encouraged the academic community to make extensive use of RECIMO, ensuring that national research findings are accessible to students and professionals worldwide.
With the implementation of RECIMO, it is expected that scientific research in Mozambique will gain greater relevance and impact, both locally and globally.
(By: Renaldo Manhice)
