Horizon 2020 Info Day, Maputo, 06 November 2018
17 November 2018
The EU Delegation in Maputo organised a Horizon 2020 Info Day in Radisson Blu Hotel in Maputo on 06 November 2018. The National Institute of Information and Communication Technologies (INTIC), as the national IST-Africa in Mozambique, provided assistance to raise awareness of this event and secure participation from relevant stakeholders. There were over 300 participants from researchers, academia, Government of Mozambique and private sector.
H.E. S. António Sánchez-Benedito Gaspar, Ambassador of the European Union to Mozambique, formally opened the Information Day. He spoke about the importance of research in the world and in Mozambique in particular. Dr. Celso Laice, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Higher Education and Professional Technician, praised research that generates solutions to community problems.
Dr. Faidra Diona, DG Research and Innovation, European Commission, presented "Opportunities for EU-Africa cooperation in science and innovation". She presented the three pillars of the Horizon 2020 program - Scientific Excellence, Industrial Leadership and Societal Challenges. She highlighted that it is open to all legal entities including African research organisations. She presented opportunities under the 2018 - 2018 Work Programs.
Dr. Anabela Carvalho focused on presenting preparation and submission of proposals, how to prepare a budget and find suitable partners for Horizon 2020 proposals. She emphasised the importance to follow the template provided and to address the call text. She outlined the types of activities that can be funded including direct and indirect costs. It was mentioned that Horizon 2020 cannot finance car purchase and home construction for example and equipment is based on reimbursement of depreciation. She provided insight into evaluation criteria.
The researchers asked questions about types of activities that can be funded, how best to finance research and how to better ensure success during proposal submission. Dr Faidra Diona addressed these questions and highlighted priority areas for cooperation including nutrition, agriculture, energy, climate change and transport among others.
IST-Africa has published a lot of resources related to Horizon 2020, which are available at http://www.ist-africa.org/home/default.asp?page=horizon2020
There were two roundtables. In the morning it focused on "Horizon 2020 Opportunities for Mozambique". Panelists included: Dr Helena Monteiro, Albertina Alage - Technical Director of Training, Documentation and Technology Transfer (DFDTT), Institute of Agricultural Research of Mozambique (IIAM), National Director of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Higher Education and Professional Technician (MCTESTP) Dr Filipe Mondlane - Fund of Energy (FUNAE) and Dr. Francisco Saúte - Deputy Director, Manhiça Health Research Center (CISM). This session was moderated by Dr. Jonas Mondlane, National Research Fund & Dra. Felicity of Grace Zingara, Ministry of Transport and Communications (National Contact Points for Horizon 2020 in Mozambique). In the afternoon the roundtable focused on "Sharing Experiences from H2020 Projects". Panelists included: Eng. Augusto Nunes, Director of the National Institute of Information and Communication Technologies (INTIC) representing IST-Africa; Prof. Dinis Juízo, Eduardo Mondlane University, SALOMON LDA, representing 'SafeWaterAfrica' and 'DAFNE' projects; Dr Eduardo Samo Gudo, Deputy Director General of the National Institute of Health (INS) representing the EHVA and EMI- TB projects and Dr Anabela Carvalho, International Cooperation Service Facility of the European Commission. The need to be persistent and to submit high quality proposals was highlighted.
The Closing session was chaired by Ex.mo. Mr. Geert Anckaert, Head of the Governance and Economy Sector, EU Delegation to Mozambique, who thanked everyone for attending the event as the beginning of a new stage for research in Mozambique. Dr. Helena Monteiro - National Director of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Higher Education and Professional Technician (MCTESTP) invited the participants to submit research project for funding in the H2020 and to be persistent.
