Skip to main content
TitlePurchasing, servicing, and maintenance of scientific equipment in Western Africa : international workshop : University of Buea, Cameroon, 5-9 November 2002
Publication TypeConference Report
Year of Publication2002
Authorsman, CÖ, Lidholm, J
Pagination103 p.
Date Published2002-11-09
PublisherInternational Foundation for Science (IFS)
Place PublishedStockholm, Sweden
Keywordscapacity building, developing countries, equipment, maintenance, policies, research
Abstract

In the age of the global knowledge economy, the sustainable development of a country is closely linked to scientific research. Properly functioning scientific equipment is an indispensable component of research. Nevertheless, in many developing countries scientists lack an operating research infrastructure. The overall objective of this workshop was to promote high-level scientific research that could help solve development problems. The purchasing, servicing and maintenance of scientific equipment is an important component of this objective. The initiative was taken in order to bring together the region's stakeholders, organisations with previous experience, donor organisations and suppliers in order to clearly identify the most important problems, to review problems experienced by various parties, to consider the various initiatives that have already been taken, and discuss new approaches. Country presentations were made by participants from Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo. Three groups composed of representatives from neighbouring countries were formed to propose action plans as follow-up activities to the workshop.
This report of the workshop is a compilation of problems identified by technicians, researchers and policy-makers separately, and agreements on plans for follow-up activities at the institutional, national and regional levels. Firm and long-term action plans for Western Africa are suggested involving the formation of a regional network, the creation of databases for information sharing, meetings and workshops on equipment issues, training courses addressing hands-on equipment repair, the creation of service centres and research centres, and the development of policies and guidelines as well as stakeholder participation.

NotesIncludes references
Custom 1130

Exonération de responsabilité

The copyright of the documents on this site remains with the original publishers. The documents may therefore not be redistributed commercially without the permission of the original publishers.

Back to
the top