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SPECIAL STATUS OF RESEARCHERS: ADDITIONAL TEXTS TO THE DECREE OF 8 AUGUST 2023 UNDER DISCUSSION AT MINRESI

With a view to preparing additional texts to the decree of 8 August 2023 on the special status of research staff, a working session was held on 27 December 2023 in the conference room of the National Centre for Education (CNE). This session brought together officials from the central administration and researchers, notably Directors General of Institutes under the technical supervision of MINRESI.

The conference room of the National Centre for Education (CNE) was the setting for a meeting to examine and amend draft additional texts to the Decree No. 2023/337 of 8 August 2023 on the Special Status of Research Staff. The Minister of Scientific Research and Innovation, Dr Madeleine TCHUINTE, unfortunately absent, was represented by the Inspector General of MINRESI, Professor Gilbert TAGUEM FAH. In his opening remarks, he reported the following concerning this special status: ‘a new page in the National Research and Innovation System is being opened’. Moreover, he highlighted the Minister’s interest to involve all research stakeholders in these discussions, in order to avoid disagreements. To this end, the meeting brought together heads of the central administration and those of institutes under the technical supervision of MINRESI. The latter were given the opportunity to make suggestions relating to various aspects of their career, notably: the amount and methods of payment of bonuses; methods and criteria regarding promotion to a higher grade; methods of recruitment and promotion of researchers. Following this inclusive approach, opportunity was given to the Union of Public Sector Researchers to be closely involved in the preparatory phase of these draft texts, and Its proposals were taken into account during the drafting process.

The objective of this meeting was to fine-tune the draft texts implementing the provisions contained in the presidential decree on the special status of researchers. The various texts were carefully examined and amended, with the aim of creating conducive working conditions for the socio-professional well-being of researchers, and contribute to development through Research, in accordance with the provisions of NDS30.

THE MINISTER OF SCIENTIFIC RESEACH AND INNOVATION GRANTS AN AUDIENCE TO THE INDIAN HIGH COMMISSIONER TO CAMEROON

The Minister of Scientific Research and Innovation, Dr Madeleine TCHUINTE granted an audience to the Indian High Commissioner to Cameroon. At the end of his stay, the diplomat bid farewell after two years of fruitful cooperation with MINRESI.

On Wednesday 29 November 2023, the Minister of Scientific Research and Innovation, Dr Madeleine TCHUINTE, granted an audience to H.E. SHRI ANINDYA BANERJEE, Indian High Commissioner to Cameroon. This was a farewell visit marking the end of the Indian diplomat’s stay in Cameroon. It reflects the excellent cooperation between MINRESI and Indian High Commission.

India and Cameroon enjoy long-standing and excellent relations in several key areas, including scientific research and innovation. During his stay in Cameroon, the Indian High Commissioner to Cameroon and Minister for Scientific Research and Innovation, Dr Madeleine TCHUINTE, met on several occasions. On December 21, 2022, they met for an audience that focused on the India-Cameroon-Germany triangular project. The project, which concerned the transfer of agricultural technology known as Rooted Apical Cutting (RAC) technology, involved Bagalkot University in India, Agricultural Research Institute for Development (IRAD) in Cameroon and GIZ, German cooperation mechanism.

Rooted Apical Cutting (RAC) is a technique for producing potato seed using apical technology. This technology, developed in India, involves the mass production of seed potato through tissue culture. Cameroon is the second African country, modelled on Kenya, to benefit from this technology. As part of this project, a training workshop was organised in September 2022 in Bafoussam involving Indian experts. In October of the same year, IRAD researchers travelled to India to learn more about the said technology. IRAD then set up a project to produce potato seed using rooted apical cuttings (RAC), the pilot phase of which lasted 8 months. Hundreds of seed potato producers were trained in the use of the rooted apical cuttings technique. Cameroon’s objective is to reach a production level of 30,000 tonnes per year. Similarly, the Indian government is providing training grants to MINRESI researchers under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) scheme, with a view to build capacity in various fields.

This farewell audience was an opportunity for the Minister of Scientific Research and Innovation to express her gratitude to the Indian Government for its support in technology transfer between Cameroon and India. She also praised the strong involvement of H.E. SHRI ANINDYA BANERJEE who, during his stay in Cameroon, strengthened and diversified the scientific and technical cooperation between the two countries.

The Indian diplomat, who arrived in Cameroon on February 2022, said he was particularly pleased to learn that the triangular project on the transfer of apical technology for the production of seed potatoes had been a success in Cameroon.  He added that his successor would continue in the same vein, with the possibility of extending this cooperation to other sectors. At the close of the audience, the Minister of Scientific Research and Innovation exchanged courtesies with the diplomat, wishing him success all through his career.

©Celtrad/MINRESI

SPECIAL STATUS OF RESEARCHERS SUPPLEMENTARY TEXTS TO THE DECREE OF 8 AUGUST 2023 UNDER DISCUSSION AT MINRESI

A working session was held on 27 December 2023 in the conference room of the National Centre for Education (CNE) to prepare supplementary texts to the 8 August 2023 Decree to lay down special rules and regulations governing research personnel. It brought together officials from the central administration and researchers, led by the Directors General of the Institutes under MINRESI’s technical supervision.

The meeting which held in the conference room of the National Centre for Education (CNE) aimed at examining and amending draft supplementary instruments to Decree 2023/337 of 8 August 2023 to lay down special rules and regulations governing Research Personnel. The Minister of Scientific Research and Innovation, Dr Madeleine TCHUINTE, who was unavoidably absent, was represented by the Inspector General of MINRESI, Professor Gilbert TAGUEM FAH. In his opening remarks, he said that with the special status, ‘a new page in the National Research and Innovation System is being opened’. He also pointed out that the Minister was keen to ensure all research stakeholders were involved in the discussions in order to avoid any disputes. This is why the meeting involved heads of the central administration and institutes under the technical supervision of MINRESI. The latter were given the opportunity to make proposals relating to various aspects of their careers, especially amounts and methods of payment of incentives, methods and criteria for promotion to a higher grade, as well as methods of recruitment and promotion of researchers. As part of an inclusive approach, the Public Sector Researchers’ trade union was closely involved in the preparatory phase of these draft texts. Its proposals were taken into account during the drafting process.

The aim of the meeting was to fine-tune draft instruments to implement provisions of the presidential decree to lay down special rules and regulation governing research personnel. The various instruments were meticulously scrutinised and amended, focusing on the creation of working conditions conducive to the socio-professional fulfilment of researchers and contribution of research to development, in line with the requirements of the NDS30.

©Celtrad/MINRESI

AUDIENCE GRANTED TO THE DELEGATION OF URUGUAYAN INVESTORS ON AN ECONOMIC AND TRADE MISSION TO CAMEROON

The Uruguayan delegation on an economic and trade mission to Cameroon was granted an audience on 22 November 2023 at the Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation. The Minister, Dr Madeleine TCHUINTE, who was unavoidably absent, was represented by the Secretary General of MINRESI.

A delegation of Uruguayan investors was granted an audience at the Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation on Wednesday 22 November 2023.  This audience was part of an economic and trade mission. This said mission is also a first in diplomatic relations between Cameroon and the Oriental Republic of Uruguay. The representative of the Ministry of External Relations (MINREX) who accompanied the Uruguayan delegation made it known that this is the very first time that Uruguayan businessmen have visited Cameroon since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1989. This mission was of an exploratory nature, so to speak. The investors explored areas on which cooperation between Yaoundé and Montevideo could be based. Based on the composition of the delegation received at MINRESI, these areas could include fishing, livestock farming, electricity and renewable energy.

In her opening remarks, the Secretary General of MINRESI, Professor Rebecca Madeleine EBELLE ETAME, who represented the Minister who was unavoidably absent, described the visit as proof of the high esteem the Uruguayan delegation has for players and communities involved in science and technology.  She then gave the floor to heads of Institutes under the technical supervision of MINRESI and those from the central administration who had been invited to the audience, so that they could exchange views with the Uruguayan delegation on the potential areas of cooperation with MINRESI.

Uruguay is one of four countries in the world specialising in renewable energy. Uruguay is also a major fish exporter, and Cameroon is one of its main partners in this sector. After this mission, we will be looking at ways in which Cameroonian investors can benefit from Uruguayan expertise in order to implement the import-substitution policy.

©Celtrad/MINRESI

URUGUAYAN ECONOMIC AND TRADE INVESTOR’S DELEGATION GRANTED AUDIENCE IN CAMEROON

The Uruguayan economic and trade investor’s delegation was granted an audience at the Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation on 22 November 2023. The Secretary General of MINRESI represented the Minister, Dr Madeleine TCHUINTE, who was unable to attend.

A Uruguayan investor’s delegation was granted an audience at the Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation on Wednesday 22 November 2023.  This audience was part of an economic and trade mission. Moreover, it was the first of its kind for diplomatic relations between Cameroon and the Oriental Republic of Uruguay. The representative of the Ministry of External Relations (MINREX) who accompanied the Uruguayan delegation pointed out that it was the very first time Uruguayan investors had visited Cameroon from the inception of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1989. The purpose of this mission was essentially to explore the economic terrain. Therefore, the investors had to prospect for suitable avenues of cooperation between the two countries. Judging from the nature of the delegation received at MINRESI, possible areas for cooperation could include fisheries, livestock farming, electricity and renewable energy.

The Secretary General of MINRESI, Professor Rebecca Madeleine EBELLE ETAME, representing the Minister who was unable to attend the meeting, considered this visit as proof that the Uruguayan delegation had great interest in science and technology, as well as stakeholders in these areas.  Thereafter, the heads of institutes under the technical supervision of MINRESI and those from the central administration who had been invited to the audience were given the floor to discuss the potential areas of cooperation between MINRESI and the Uruguayan delegation.

Among the world’s four leading renewable energy-producing countries, Uruguay is a major exporter of oil and gas.  It is also a major fish exporting country, with Cameroon being one of its main partners in this sector. The post-mission agenda will involve discussing potential avenues for cooperation between Cameroonian investors and Uruguayan expertise, with a view to implementing the country’s import-substitution policy.

©CelTrad/MINRESI

OACPS CONFERENCE-DEBATE ON YOUNG GREEN ENTREPRENEURS AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN FRANCOPHONE AFRICA

The Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation presided over the opening ceremony of the conference-debate organized by the Research and Innovation Program of the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), as part of the 44th Conference of Ministers of La Francophonie.

Representing the Minister of Scientific Research and Innovation, Dr Madeleine TCHUINTE, who was unavoidably absent, the Inspector General of MINRESI, Prof Gilbert TAGUEM FAH, presided over the opening ceremony of the Conference-Debate organized by the Research and Innovation Program of the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS).  The conference was held on 5 November 2023 at the Djeuga Palace Hotel in Yaounde, in the context of the 44th Conference of Ministers of La Francophonie. The theme: “How to make young green entrepreneurs the spearhead of sustainable development in Francophone Africa?”

The aim of this intellectual exchange was to examine young entrepreneurs’ contribution in implementing green transition in Africa. In his opening address, the representative of the Minister of Scientific Research and Innovation emphasized the central role that the Head of State, H.E. Paul BIYA, gives to youths on the path to development. In his speech addressing youths on the occasion of the 2019 Youth Day, he said that “tomorrow’s Cameroon will be built with you”. With this in mind, the representative of the minister outlined the activities and initiatives undertaken by MINRESI to promote youth entrepreneurship through innovation. In addition to the prizes awarded to junior researchers from Institutes under its technical supervision, MINRESI supports young independent researchers and innovators through the Excellence Week for Scientific Research and Innovation (JERSIC), whose eighth edition took place from 17 to 19 October 2023. MINRESI also contributed to the incubation of young start-up entrepreneurs who received funding from the French Embassy in Cameroon. Speaking specifically about green entrepreneurship, the institutes under MINRESI supervision are strongly involved in the development of environmentally-friendly products and tools.

OACPS’ action in favour of young green entrepreneurs aims to facilitate innovation and research among young people in over 70 countries. To date, 100,000 young people have been trained worldwide thanks to funding from the European Union. Many have been incubated and have gone ahead to set up their own businesses.

Translated by Celtrad/MINRESI

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