Applied Research in Sudan

Applied Research refers to scientific study and research that seeks to solve practical problems. Applied Research is used to find solution to everyday problems, cure illness and develop innovative techniques. Applied Research is exploring diesel from plants, curing jaundice with medicine extracted from plants and generating electricity from solar cells. These are exactly some of the instances of Applied Research that is being carried out by researchers at the National Centre for Research under the Ministry of Science and Technology in Sudan.

On asking Prof. Dr. Mohamed Galal Mohamed Ahmed, Director General –National Center for Research, he said that the National Project on Biodiesel was of prime importance which would provide fuel to generate electricity, pumps, run tractors and provide boost to Agriculture in the country. JATROPHA CURCAS is the plant used in this project which is found naturally in Khartoum state, Kassala, Kordofan and Darfur.

There is research being carried at the National Centre for Research with medicinal plants for treatment of jaundice, hepatic disorders, diabetes, parasitic and bacterial infections.

There is research also being carried out to enable villages to generate electricity from solar cells. Research has produced low cost bricks made of local sand mixed with low quantity of cement and produced in a machine designed in the Institute of Technological Research.

Prof.Dr.Galal said that there are 13 research institutes under the National Centre for Research namely 1) Authority for Technology Transfer, Information and Scientific Publishing 2) Commission for Biotechnology and Genetic Resources (CBGE) 3) Desertification Research Institute (DRI) 4) Documentation and Information Centre (DCI) 5) Energy Research Institute (ERI) 6) Environment and Natural Resources Research Institute (ENRRI) 7) Institute of Technological Research (ITR) 8) Materials & Electronics Research Institute (MERI) 9) Medicinal & Aromatic Plants Research Institute (MAPRI) 10) Remote Sensing Authority (RSA) 11) Seismological Research Institute (SRI) 12) Traditional Medicine Research Institute (TMRI) and 13) Tropical Medicine Institute.

Prof.Dr.Galal also shared the fact that about 25 new discoveries from the National Centre for Research have been applied for patent in the country and 4-5 of them have been applied internationally under the Intellectual Property Right. He also added that Researchers at the Centre received higher remuneration as compared to employees in other Civil Services. According to the National Assembly the budget allocated to National Centre for Research is 1% of the GDP but the current expenses have only been as low as 0.03%. We only hope that the allocated budget is disbursed in order to implement scientific and technological policies that aim at achieving the economic and social development of the country.