National Commission on Research, Science and Technology - NCRST

NCRST CEO PROF. DR ANICIA PETERS REFLECTS ON GLOBAL RESEARCH COUNCIL APPOINTMENT

National Commission on Research, Science and Technology (NCRST) Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Dr Anicia Peters, reflects on her appointment to the Governing Board of the Global Research Council, where she will represent Sub-Saharan Africa from 2026 to 2029.

In this interview, she shares what this significant milestone means for Namibia’s research and innovation landscape, the broader Sub-Saharan African region and the opportunities it presents for strengthening Africa’s voice in global research and science policy discussions.

Watch the full interview here, courtesy of the Namibia Broadcasting Corporation (NBC): https://youtu.be/CM0mBHRl3Ac

THE DAILY ROUNDUP WITH NINA | PROF. ANICIA PETERS JOINS GLOBAL RESEARCH COUNCIL - nbc Namibia's research and innovation landscape has received internatio...

Namibia's digital future is being shaped today, and your voice matters.

Join fellow professionals, researchers, academics, entrepreneurs, innovators and policymakers for networking and meaningful discussions on technology, innovation and the future of our country.

Register here: https://forms.gle/BMhQZn3LqM4ppXjCA

We look forward to connecting with you.

EXTENDED DEADLINE: Call for Abstracts – 2026 Biennial National Research Symposium

The National Commission on Research, Science and Technology (NCRST) invites researchers to submit abstracts for the 2026 Biennial National Research Symposium, taking place from 17–18 September 2026.

This important platform will bring together researchers, industry, policymakers and the public to share knowledge, showcase innovation and strengthen Namibia’s research ecosystem.

For submission guidelines, thematic areas and abstract submissions, visit:
https://ncrst.na/calls/

Extended Deadline: Monday, 15 June 2026

Provocations on Current Debates on AI in Namibia

Join us for a meet & greet hosted by NCRST in partnership with the Windhoek ACM SIGCHI Chapter as we discuss what human-centred AI means and looks like in Namibia.

Date: Tuesday, 9 June 2026
Venue: ScaleUp Namibia at FNCC, 118 Robert Mugabe Avenue, Windhoek, Namibia
Time: 16:00–17:00

Space is limited, so please sign up in advance to secure your place.

Register here:
https://forms.gle/ZhZDwK8ksKDrDcgaA

NCRST keynotes at Standard Bank Blue Growth Series

The National Commission on Research, Science and Technology (NCRST) participated in the Standard Bank Blue Growth Series 2026: AI & Marketing event, held under the theme “Smart by Design: AI as Namibia’s MSME Growth Engine.”

On behalf of NCRST Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Dr Anicia Peters, a keynote address was delivered by Ms Paulina Shifugula and Mr Rikukoro Karamata highlighting the role of Artificial Intelligence as a practical enabler for Namibian MSMEs, particularly in marketing, customer engagement, business operations, innovation and informed decision-making.

The keynote also highlighted NCRST’s ongoing efforts to advance Namibia’s AI ecosystem through the AI Readiness Assessment, the development of the National AI Strategy, AI literacy and capacity-building initiatives, innovation support programmes and research grants.

It further emphasised the importance of collaboration among government, academia, the private sector, development partners and innovators in building a responsible and inclusive AI ecosystem that supports Namibia’s development priorities.

NCRST extends its appreciation to Standard Bank Namibia and NIFA Academy for creating this important platform for dialogue on AI, innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainable economic growth.

NCRST participates in Global Dialogue on Open Science and Diamond Open Access at GRC2026

Ms Mweneni Shahungu, Manager: Policy and Councils Management, represented NCRST in the sessions on Open Science and Diamond Open Access at the Global Research Councils meeting. The sessions explored ways to promote more inclusive, accessible and equitable research publishing.

From the discussions, the key takeaway was that openness only creates public value when it is equitable, community-governed and backed by sustainable infrastructure. This highlighted the need for research funders to connect open science policy, publishing reform and research assessment far more intentionally.

One of the most valuable sessions during the summit was the main Open Science plenary session. The contribution by Prof Leslie Chan, Associate Professor, Teaching, in the Department of Global Development Studies and Director of the Knowledge Equity Lab at the University of Toronto, as well as a DORA Steering Committee member and former Board Member of DOAJ and IOI, was particularly noteworthy. He emphasised that open science must ask not only what knowledge is produced, but how, by whom, for whom and to what end.

The Diamond Open Access side event provided a concrete policy pathway for this principle. The session linked Diamond OA to research sovereignty, trust in science, multilingual dissemination and locally governed editorial practices. There was also a call to support bibliodiversity, as well as equitable and transparent open-access publishing models.

The most encouraging aspect was that the session was not presented as a niche publishing debate, but rather as a broader question about who governs scholarly communication, who pays for it and whose knowledge becomes visible. In addition, the Diamond OA policy discussions pointed towards something practical: moving from short-term project support to sustained structural investment in non-commercial, community-governed infrastructures.

It was clear from discussions that open science is no longer only an access agenda; it is becoming a governance, infrastructure and assessment agenda. If funders, universities, libraries and publishers can align around that shift, Diamond Open Access has real potential to move from the margins to becoming a serious pillar of a more equitable global research system.

NCRST REFLECTIONS ON CONNECTING RESEARCH TO IMPACT AND DECISION-MAKING

The translation of research into tangible societal impact remains one of the most pressing priorities for research and innovation systems globally. As countries continue to confront complex development challenges linked to climate change, food insecurity, environmental degradation, urbanisation and public health, there is increasing recognition that scientific knowledge must not only advance discovery but also inform policy, strengthen communities and contribute directly to sustainable development outcomes.

NCRST participated in these discussions during the 14th Global Research Council (GRC) Annual Meeting held from 18 to 22 May 2026, where research funders and scientific institutions explored approaches to enhancing the societal relevance and developmental impact of research. The session was attended by Dr Mutalipula Siyengwa-Muchila on behalf of NCRST, contributing to discussions on research impact, sustainable development and evidence-informed policy and governance.

The side event on “Connecting Research to Impact and Decision-Making” showcased the value of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing sustainable development challenges across different sectors and communities. Presentations focused on key thematic areas including water and air quality, sustainable agriculture and food systems, ecosystem restoration, smart technologies and the use of big data for inclusive and sustainable cities.

The engagements demonstrated how research can support evidence-informed decision-making and contribute practical solutions to societal needs. Discussions highlighted initiatives aimed at improving clean air for vulnerable communities, strengthening water security, advancing sustainable agricultural practices, promoting food and nutrition security and supporting nature-based approaches for resilient ecosystems and urban environments.

An important reflection emerging from the discussions was the need to strengthen partnerships between researchers, governments, funding agencies, communities and industry to ensure that scientific knowledge is effectively translated into policies, innovations and development interventions. Equally important is the creation of enabling environments that support knowledge exchange, long-term collaboration and the integration of research evidence into governance and planning systems.

As Namibia continues implementing the Second National Programme on Research, Science, Technology and Innovation (NPRSTI II 2026–2030), these conversations remain highly significant. There is an increasing need to support research ecosystems that not only generate knowledge but also contribute directly to sustainable livelihoods, environmental resilience, inclusive development and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Central to sustainable development, connecting research to impact and decision-making is essential for building responsive institutions, resilient communities and sustainable economies. Countries that successfully integrate scientific evidence into development processes are better positioned to respond to emerging global challenges and create long-term societal benefits through innovation and research.

NCRST REFLECTIONS ON CURIOSITY-DRIVEN RESEARCH AND LONG-TERM INNOVATION FUNDING

Developing countries continue to face a critical policy dilemma in balancing limited research and innovation funding among basic research, applied research and experimental development, while also responding to the expectations of academia, industry, government and society.

This issue featured prominently during the 14th Global Research Council (GRC) Annual Meeting, held in Bangkok, Thailand, from 18 to May 22, 2026, where global science funders reflected on the growing importance of Curiosity-Driven Research (CDR) in shaping future scientific and technological breakthroughs.

Discussions highlighted that many transformative discoveries, including penicillin, reverse transcriptase, hybridoma technology and modified nucleosides, emerged not from immediate commercial objectives but from scientists pursuing fundamental questions driven by scientific curiosity. Insights from engagements with the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) and international research funders further underscored a major challenge facing science systems today: reluctance to invest in research whose impact may only materialise decades later.

Yet Curiosity-Driven Research remains indispensable because it strengthens foundational scientific knowledge, builds long-term human capital, supports scientific sovereignty and creates pathways for future innovation and economic transformation. At the same time, developing countries continue to face pressure to prioritise short-term socio-economic outcomes, often resulting in funding systems that focus primarily on immediate outputs, publication counts and narrow performance indicators.

A key concern raised during the GRC engagements was that short annual funding cycles and output-driven evaluation systems often discourage high-risk, novel and multidisciplinary research. This limits opportunities for breakthrough discoveries and weakens the resilience and competitiveness of national innovation systems.

As Namibia advances towards implementing the Second National Programme on Research, Science, Technology and Innovation (NPRSTI II 2026–2030), these reflections remain highly relevant. There is a growing need to establish stable, strategic funding streams for curiosity-driven and basic research, while strengthening support for applied research, doctoral and postdoctoral training, frontier technologies and multidisciplinary collaboration.

Ultimately, sustainable national development cannot rely solely on short-term applied outcomes. A resilient and globally competitive research ecosystem requires balanced investment across the research continuum, from scientific discovery and basic research to applied research and experimental development. Countries that achieve this balance are better placed to strengthen innovation systems, diversify economies and respond effectively to increasingly complex societal challenges in the global knowledge economy.

NCRST PROUDLY CONTRIBUTES TO A MILESTONE MOMENT FOR GLOBAL RESEARCH ASSESSMENT REFORM

The National Commission on Research, Science and Technology (NCRST) is honoured to have participated in the 14th Global Research Council (GRC) Annual Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, during which the GRC’s Responsible Research Assessment (RRA) Working Group officially introduced two significant resources:

• A Practical Guide to Implementing Responsible Research Assessment developed in collaboration with DORA and Science Europe
• The RRA Self-Assessment Tool for Funders, aligned with the 11 Dimensions of Responsible Research Assessment

As a member of the GRC RRA Working Group through the participation of Mr Kelvin Mubiana Katukula and part of the distributed Secretariat alongside NSERC (Canada) and UKRI (United Kingdom), NCRST is honoured to contribute to this global movement that is reshaping how research excellence, integrity, openness, equity and societal impact are recognised and rewarded.

Together, the Practical Guide and Self-Assessment Tool provide research funders with a cohesive framework that guides the transition from commitment to implementation. These resources enable organisations to assess current practices, identify deficiencies and promote reforms in a structured and context-aware manner. They represent a significant shift away from limited, metric-focused evaluation towards comprehensive systems that emphasise collaboration, diversity, open science, research integrity and tangible societal impact.

The Working Group, co-chaired by Ms Nosisa Dube (NRF, South Africa – Global South) and Dr Shawn McGuirk (NSERC, Canada – Global North), comprises more than 25 members from 24 nations, ensuring that the Global South is not merely participating but actively influencing the future of global research governance.

Participation in platforms such as the GRC RRA WG is strategically significant for NCRST, Namibia and the broader African continent. It enhances Namibia’s and Africa’s influence in international science policy and fosters opportunities for peer learning and institutional capacity development. It ensures that responsible research assessment frameworks incorporate our unique realities, priorities and knowledge systems, including Indigenous and local knowledge.

This work exemplifies significant international collaboration involving the Global Research Council, DORA, Science Europe, RoRI, UKRI, NSERC, NRF South Africa, NCRST Namibia and numerous other partners dedicated to fostering fairer, more inclusive and more responsible research environments.

The future of science hinges not only on excellence but also on fairness, inclusivity, transparency, integrity and societal relevance.

Please explore the resources available:

The Global Research Council's RRA Self-Assessment Tool for Funders:
https://globalresearchcouncil.org/about/responsible-research-assessment-working-group/self-assessment-tool/

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We're Hiring!

The National Commission on Research, Science and Technology (NCRST) invites suitably qualified and passionate individuals to apply for exciting career opportunities based in Windhoek.

If you're ready to contribute to advancing research, science, technology and innovation in Namibia, we encourage you to apply.

Please note that the position is currently active on the NEIS platform, and all applicants are encouraged to submit their applications through the NEIS platform. Visit the NEIS platform (https://nieis.namibiaatwork.gov.na) or the NCRST website (https://ncrst.na/about-ncrst/vacancies or https://ncrst.na) for full vacancy details and application requirements.

Closing date: Tuesday, 16 June 2026

Previously disadvantaged candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.