United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's Office in Nairobi, Kenya

Basic and Engineering Science

Background
Within UNESCO's Major Programme II: Science in the service of development under Programme II.1 Advancement, transfer and sharing of knowledge in exact and natural sciences. Specifically in the Basic and Engineering Sciences Section of the UNESCO Nairobi Office (BES/NAI) we are working in with two (2) Main Lines of Action:

• Improving University Science and Engineering Education. Thereunder:
  Providing grants for staff exchange visits
  Support for dissemination of information among regional institutions
  Support for the development of Engineering Education
  
• Promoting Co-operation in Research and Training in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. Thereunder:
  Support for organisation of Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry courses at African universities as well as grants to attend the aforesaid courses.

Capacity building requires strong research and training institutions. The challenge in Africa is the poor state of most universities. Networking enables institutions in member States to work collectively for the purpose of capacity building. Thus one of the major strategic approaches employed by UNESCO Nairobi Office is to provide support for institutional networks. In particular the Office uses the African Network of Scientific and Technological Institutions (ANSTI) as a vehicle for delivering capacity building activities in science and technology in the region.

The modalities for capacity building include activities such as administration of post-graduate fellowships, visiting staff fellowships and conference grants. Assistance is also provided to institutions for the development of innovative curricula through the establishment and support for UNESCO Chairs. The Office also promotes the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for the delivery of courses in basic and engineering sciences.

Examples of Recent Activities:

• Promotion of the use of ICT in the teaching and learning of science and engineering courses. - Training of university staff in the development of e-content.
• Support for UNESCO Chairs in institutions in member states.
• Support for the participation of women in international/regional scientific activities.
• Support for the organization on thematic conferences in chemistry and biological sciences.

The target beneficiaries of most of these programmes in capacity building are university staff and students. UNESCO intervention is usually at the post-graduate level. Special attention is paid to the enhancement of women's participation in science and technology.

Applications for funds and project proposals submitted to UNESCO Nairobi Office for consideration under the Basic and Engineering Sciences Programme, therefore should seek so meet the above-mentioned objectives of the programme. For more information on applications and what should be included contact; the Director, Prof. J.G.M. Massaquoi.