Botswana Innovation Hub signs MoU with COHRED…focus is on research and development for health…
Gaborone / Geneva – 23rd August 2012 – The Botswana Innovation Hub (BIH) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Council on Health Research for Development (COHRED).
BIH Chief Executive Officer, Alan Boshwaen and Prof. Carel IJsselmuiden, the Executive Director of COHRED signed the MoU.
The purpose of the partnership between the two organisations is to promote research and development for health, equity and development in Botswana, the southern African sub-region and Africa in general.
According to the MoU, the two organisations will work together towards the development of an HIV-AIDS centre of expertise at the Hub and also on the mobilisation of funds for research and innovation.
In addition, they will also work on the establishment of a COHRED Africa office within BIH – for the purposes of housing local and visiting staff and coordinating COHRED’s activities in the region.
On advocacy, the MoU calls upon both organisations to mobilise regional and international networks to support collaborations for research and innovation for health.
BIH is looking to tap into COHRED’s expertise in research information management systems in order to develop a comprehensive national database for research and innovation on health in Botswana. The collaboration with COHRED is also expected to expand the Hub’s capacity to provide facilities for health research and ethics.
COHRED provides support to low and middle income countries on the development of their research and innovation capacities for health, whilst BIH works to develop and operate a science and technology park through which research, development and innovation activities can be used to move Botswana towards a knowledge economy.
BIH is an affiliate member of the International Association of Science Parks (IASP). In an effort to improve its innovation ecosystem, BIH has forged strategic partnerships with key organisations such as the University of Botswana, Global Business Labs, Microsoft, and the Ministry of Health.
For more information, contact: Boitumelo Mokgatla-Moipolai at: mokgatla@cohred.org
For media queries, contact: cohred@cohred.org
