Ms. Lanta Daniel, Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Research Organization (STIPRO), Tanzania
Role in the VicInaqua project: Partner
Current position: Research Fellow at Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Research Organization (STIPRO) in Tanzania
Expertise: research and outreach on technology and innovation policy issues, technology transfer and innovation systems
Education: BA Economics; MA Development studies
Ms Lanta Daniel is engaged in policy research practices and specialized on areas of science, technology and innovation (STI) policy studies since 2012. She has a background in economics and also development studies obtained at the University of Dar es Salaam and the Erasmus University of Rotterdam. Lanta’s expertise covers studies on technology transfer, innovation systems and inclusive development approaches. Her publications include the 2016 co-authored book chapter, titled “The national innovation system in Tanzania and its relevance for development.”
Could you describe STIPRO’s role in VicInAqua?
STIPRO, as an organization that deals with policy issues in science, technology and innovation, brings in the social aspect of the work done in labs and make them work for the community. A good technology is that one that can be commercialized and be used widely. Specifically STIPRO brings in its long standing expertise in innovation outreach. It leads the study visits of RAS and MBR sites along with the roundtable discussions with local stakeholders, with the aim of raising awareness among East African partner countries on crucial issues addressed by VicInAqua and the solutions our consortium proposes. STIPRO also provides surveyed data regarding general socio economic aspects, environmental and sustainable impact as well as health and food security issues. We also prepare technical training sessions to raise interest in the functioning of the innovative VicInAqua concept and to guarantee a technical understanding in terms of operation and maintenance of potential end users of the different VicInAqua components.
Have you been cooperating with organisations from Kenya and Uganda before?
Yes, we have worked with ACORD1 (Uganda) and KIPPRA² (Kenya) in developing a joint proposal on Institutional Technology Transfer Policies and Strategies in East Africa followed by a workshop in mapping a research methodology with a regional approach. We also have work with ACTS³ (Kenya) and Scinnovent4 (Kenya) in research, monitoring and evaluation and also conducting trainings through the Science Granting Council Initiative funded by IDRC5 (Canada).
STIPRO has been involved in further international projects. What convinced you to participate in VicInAqua in particular?
VicInaqua addresses some very important aspects that are at the heart of our organization, in particular the issue of technology and how it can be transferred and adopted by the society. The VicInAqua technology offers great potential to our country as the pilot can generate its own power necessary to run it – energy is a problem in Tanzania – but also as the concept involves the industrial sector in terms of waste water treatment and reuse.
What have been your main challenges in VicInAqua?
Challenges are unavoidable. In the frame of VicInAqua, STIPRO pays particular attention in getting technological solutions that can be easily adopted by the local community both in terms of technical knowhow and affordability. Another challenge is to be able to sustainably continue raising awareness on the proposed technologies.
Which benefits do you expect from VicInAqua for Tanzania and for Lake Victoria?
Definitely as a country we will benefit in terms of environmental conservation especially in water bodies. Moreover, areas that are not connected to the national grid will benefit from the VicInAqua concept and its own power generating system.
Thank you Lanta Daniel - Looking forward to your progresses!
1 ACORD – Agency for Cooperation and Research in Development – is a pan-African development organization, with the vision of a society in which all citizens are equally able to achieve their rights and fulfill their responsibilities.
2 KIPPRA – Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis – is an autonomous public institution with the mission to provide quality public policy advice to the Government of Kenya by conducting objective research and analysis and through capacity building in order to contribute to the achievement of national development goals.
3 ACTS – African Centre for Technology Studies – is an Intergovernmental organization with the mission to strengthen the capacity and policies of African countries and institutions to harness science, technology and innovation for sustainable development.
4 The Scinnovent Centre is a non-partisan, non-political policy and development research and training organization that works around the synergies between science, technology, innovation (STI) and entrepreneurship.
5 IRDC – International Development Research Centre – was established by an act of Canada’s parliament and funds research in developing countries to promote growth, reduce poverty, and drive large-scale positive change.
