Eritrean Science and Technology Development Agency Establishment Proclamation (No. 122/2002)

Proclamation No. 122/2002 The Eritrean Science and Technology Development Agency Establishment Proclamation Whereas, for Eritrea to realize its full potential, its people, who are its main wealth, must be equipped with knowledge and all socio-economic development activities must to optimal use of modem products of science and technology; Whereas, ever new products from advancements in science and technology need to be acquired, absorbed and utilized continuously if the country is to develop a competitive knowledge-based economy; Whereas, unchecked and haphazard transfer of technology and acquisition of products of science and technology can lead to a slow and wasteful development that lacks equity, while an unhindered but well organized and carefully thought-out transfer of technology, and acquisition and absorption of new products from advancements in science and technology with efficient use and growth of material and human resources would inevitably result in a fast and equitable development; Whereas, all this necessitates the existence of a comprehensive and properly-structured organization for the coordination of the development of Science and Technology in Eritrea, correctly geared for maximum contribution to the development of the country in all areas of development; Now, therefore, it is hereby proclaimed as follows: 6 1. Short Title This Proclamation may be cited as "The Eritrean Science and Technology Development Agency Establishment P,roclamation No. 122/2002". 2. Establishment The following are hereby established: (a) The National Science and Technology Council (hereinafter referred to as "NSTC") as the supreme government body responsible for Science and Technology policy; (b) The Eritrean Science and Technology Development Agency (hereinafter referred to as "ESTDA") as an autonomous corporate body;and (c) The National Science and Technology Advisory Board (hereinafter referred to as "NST AB") as an independent advisory body to ESTDA. 3. Composition of NSTC (1) The President of the State of Eritrea shall chair NSTC. The membership ofNSTC shall comprise: (a) Cabinet Ministers of pertinent ministries and other Government officials of other pertinent government bodies of the state of Eritrea designated by the President; {b) Outstanding professionals from within the ministries and other government bodies of the state of Eritrea appointed by the President; 7 (c) Outstanding professionals and/or industrialists from outside the government of the state of Eritrea appointed by the President; and (d) The head ofESTDA. (2) The members mentioned in sub-article (1) (a) and (d) of this Article shall be ex~officio members, while those mentioned in sub-article (1) (b) and ( c) hereof shall be appointed for periods of two years whi~h are renewable. 4. Powers and Duties of NSTC As the supreme body of the government of Eritrea for Science and Technology policy, NSTC shall have the powers and duties to: (a) formulate, review and approve Science and Technology policies of the government of Eritrea; (b) give directives to ESTDA for the implementation of specific Science and Technology development activities; (c) oversee the overall functions ofESTDA; (d) deliberate and decide on appomtment, structural review, ES,TDA internal rules and regulations, budgetary and project proposals, and other matters brought before it for approval by ESTDA; ( e) discharge such other functions that it finds , necessary for the formulation of Science and Technology policies and the implementation of policies; and 8 (f) formulate, review and issue NSTC's own internal regulations and procedures. 5. NSTC FACILITIES Support service and facilities for the functions of NSTC shall be provided by ESTDA. 6. Objectives of ESTDA The objectives of ESTDA shall be: (a) to promote and coordinate the application of Science and Technology in the overall development of the country under the guidance of NSTC; and (b) to build up national capability for research and development in Science and Technology. 7. Powers and Duties of ESTDA To fulfil its mission, ESTDA shall have the powers and duties to: (a) lead and coordinate nation wide Science and Technology development activities according to the NSTC's directives; (b) coordinate the contributions of Eritrea in Science and Technology development activities that involve multinational or global effort; (c) establish Science and Technology Research and Development Institutions and oversee their development and continued 9 proper functioning; (d) establish Science and Technology Service Institutions and oversee their development and continued proper functioning; (e) establish Science and Technology Education Institutions and oversee their development and continued proper functioning; (f) establish Science and Technology Research Foundations and oversee their development and continued proper functioning; (g) undertake research and development within its own facilities and institutions affiliated with it; (h) sponsor Science and Technology research and development undertaken by individuals and organisations not affiliated with it; (i) encourage the establishment and support the activities of Science and Technology professional associations; (j) charge commensurate fees for the services it renders; (k) enter into contract, sue and be sued; (l) buy, sell, own and/or lease any moveable or immovable property; (m) formulate and review its own internal financial, employment, organizational and other regulations and structures for approval by NSTC; and (n) discharge any other functions directed to it by the NSTC. 10 8. Structure of ESTDA A detailed structure of ESTDA shall be formulated by ESTO A at the start of its functions and shall be reviewed as necessary with time as the organization develops, being brought before the NSTC for approval all the time. But it shall have the following four major components: (a) An Office of Science and Technology Research and Development, which encompasses research and development in all areas of Science and Technology including Biological Sciences and Technology, Chemical Sciences and Technology, Earth Sciences and Environmental Sciences and Technology, Mechanical Sciences and Technology, Electrical Sciences and Technology, Nuclear Science and Technology, Space Science and Technology, Information Science and Technology, Mathematical Sciences, and Social and Economic Sciences; (b) An Office of Science and Technology Services Coordination, which deals with all aspects of Science and Technology services ESTDA gives, including Science and Technology services to government bodies, Science and Technology education, national infrastructure development, services to the industrial sector, and services to developmental activities of communities; (c) An Office of Research Support and Cooperation, which deals with all aspects of support for research and cooperation with other organizations, including research funds for research outside of ESTDA, achievement awards, support for professional associations, and international cooperation; and (d) An Office of Administrative and Financial Affairs, which takes care of all financial affairs and internal administration. of I I ESTDA, including project management of the vanous constructions and other projects ESTDA shall undertake. 9. ESTDA Officers (1) ESTDA shall be lead by a head (herein referred to as the Head of ESTDA), who shall be its Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The head of ESTDA has the overall responsibility for the day-to-day functions of ESTDA. (2) There shall also be four deputy heads that shall serve as the Executive Officers (EO) for the four major components of ESTDA as described in Article 8 hereof. (3) All the five officers referred to in sub-articles (1) and (2) hereof shall be appointed by the President of the state of Eritrea for a period of six years that is renewable. (4) All other officers ofESTDA or institutions affiliated with ESTDA shall be appointed or recommended for appointment following the regulations and procedures of ESTDA as developed and established in accordance with Article 7(m) hereof IO. Sources of ESTDA Funds The sources of funds for the functions of ESTDA shall, inter alia, be: (a) budget allocation, grants and loans from the government of Eritrea; (b) donations, grants and loans from other sources including financial organizations, foundations, and international cooperation partners; and 12 (c) earnings from services ESTDA gives, the sale of patents and copyrights, returns from business transactions and investments, and revenue from affiliated incorporated business organizations. 11. ESTDA to Keep Books of Accounts (I) ESTDA shall keep complete and accurate books of accounts and documents. (2) The books of accounts and all financial affairs of ESTDA shall be audited at least once a year by an auditor designated by NSTC. 12. Composition of NSTAB (1) NSTAB shall comprise individuals appointed by NSTC for their proven' capabilities and achievements in science and technology. (2) Each NST AB member shall be appointed for a period of two years that is renewable. (3) NST AB shall have a chairman, a vice-chairman and a secretary elected by the Board members and appointed by the President. 13. Powers and Duties of NSTAB As an independent advisory body, NST AB shall have the powers and duties to: (a) make studies and recommendations to ESTDA about specific issues in Science and Technology upon ESTDA's request; l3 (b) make recommendations to- ESTDA about any Science Technology issue of importance to Eritrea on its own initiative; (c) form committees and sub•committees for specific areas of Science and Technology to facilitate its functions; (d) form ad-hoc committees of specialists to make studies of specific issues that need to be studied by specialists and disband such committees upon the completion of their task; and (e) discharge such other tasks and duties as may be necessary for or incidental to its function as an advisory body. 14. NSTAB Facilities Support Services and facilities for the function of NST AB shall be provided by ESTDA 15. Effective Date This Proclamation shall enter into force as of the date of its publication in the Gazette ofEritrean Laws. Done at Asmara, this 1st day of July 2002, Government of Eritrea. 14