National Science Foundation- Sri Lanka

"Science Indicators for Policy Development"

The Science & Technology Policy Research Division (STPRD) was established at the National Science Foundation in January 2005 with a view to meet the requirements stated in  the Science & Technology Development Act No.11 of 1994, viz., to maintain a current register of scientific and technical personnel, and in other ways to provide a central clearing house for the collection, interpretation and analysis of data, on the availability of, and the current and projected need for, scientific and technical resources in Sri Lanka, and to provide a source of information for policy formulation on science technology and other fields.

Mission

To provide information on science, technology, education and other related fields to the policy makers and others nationwide and make the society aware of the important issues relevant to science towards the economic development of the country and the general welfare of the society.

General Objective

To undertake policy research in the field mainly through surveys and develop databases relevant to Science and Technology policy issues in the areas of education, industry, technology, nutrition & health, energy, environment etc., which are considered to be of importance to the government and to the general public in the country.

Specific Objectives

• • To maintain and update a national database on Science and Technology Management Information System (STMIS) in the country.
  • To conduct national R&D surveys on regular basis to provide most up to date information in the form of S&T indicators to the policy makers and the researchers in the country.
  • To conduct policy research in the following areas:

1. 1. Science, Technology and Innovation systems,
   2. Tracer studies and labour market surveys on S&T personnel,
   3. Brain Drain and sociological perspectives of scientific community,
   4. Demand and supply of S&T manpower,
   5. Scientific productivity and research culture,
   6. Gender issues and empowerment of women,
   7. S&T investment by Government on national development and social welfare of the people­ etc.

 Activities of the Division

• • National database on Science and Technology Management information System (STMIS)

The STPRD undertakes registration of Sri Lankan scientific community in the National STMIS database and issues an Identity card to the registered scientists. The NSF would require the registration number to proceed with the processing of research/travel grant applications, submitted by the scientists. Therefore it is to the advantage of the scientists to register in the STMIS database to avoid any unnecessary delays in processing of their applications by the NSF.

• • National Research & Development (R&D) surveys
  • Science & Technology policy research studies in the areas relevant to  the country
  • Other databases relevant to S&T sector

    • • In addition to S&T personnel in the State Sector (Universities, R&D institutions, Scientific institutions, Industries), and the Private sector including NGOs, databases on S & T organizations in the country, Scientific research conducted in the S&T sector, Technologies and Services available in the different sectors etc. have been developed. Future plans are there to cover other relevant areas such as : Various S&T Professional bodies, Associations, Societies established, Scientific and Research Journals published and the contact address and other details, R&D funding agencies / sources available  in Sri Lanka, Database on traditional knowledge (research and other aspects), Patents  / New innovations in the S&T sector.

  • Publish research papers and other general articles relevant to science policy

 Few Key Activities-2011

• • R&D Survey 2010
  • Science, Technology and Innovation Policy studies

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