Peru to Launch Us$100 Million Science-Industry Link Project

LIMA (NNN-ANDINA) - Peru will provide US$100 million for a new project promoting the development of science and technology (S&T) links between the private sector, universities and public and private research centres.

The Innovation for Competitiveness project, running for seven years, will also receive US$36 million from the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB), sources from Ministry of Economy and Finance told SciDev.Net.

Within two months, Peru will also have its draft strategic plan on science, technology, innovation and competitiveness, which is being drawn up by a dedicated commission, sources said.

These developments are in line with President Ollanta Humala's plans to boost science, particularly through fostering cooperation between public research institutes, universities, and small and medium enterprises.

Oscar Valdez, chairman of the Council of Ministers, announced the start of the competitiveness project, while Patricia Salas, Education minister, gave details on the strategic plan on Jan 5l during a presentation to cabinet and Congress.

Valdez also announced 1,000 new S&T postgraduate fellowships for study in Peru and another 1,500 at foreign universities by 2016.

He said another initiative will aim to broaden full access to broadband Internet in the country to improve access to tele-health, tele-education and e-government services. -- NNN-ANDINA