Provision of high-tech medical beds by the Czech firm Linet was realized in cooperation with the General University Hospital in Prague, Charles University in Prague and the Czech Association of Manufacturers and Suppliers of Medical Equipment. This initiative forms part of a comprehensive collaborative project of Cambodian and Czech medical professionals aiming at the improvement of maternal and newborn care in the perinatology centre of National Pediatric Hospital in Phnom Penh and Kampong Chhnang province. It is focused on complete perinatology technology and know-how transfer (other activities within the project include the introduction of screening ultrasound examinations, workshops on hygiene and prevention of the spread of infectious diseases and the development of a mobile application for collecting hospital data). Further, to arrange for an appropriate adoption of the transferred technology, local experts were trained in how to use the provided technology for complex patient care.

Czech Development Agency

Endowment fund Vita et Futura, company Linet spol. s r.o.

National Pediatric Hospital in Phnom Penh

Public funding (partnership of public and private sector). The project involved both technology transfer and a strong know-how transfer.

CZK 1,098,000 (approx. USD 50,000) for beds provision.

Medical equipment

Cambodia's health sector has made significant progress in recent decades, but foreign assistance remains an essential factor for further improvement. Proper medical equipment is an integral part of good healthcare and medical beds produced by Linet are recognised for their outstanding technical parameters. This need was addressed by this project in order to support the overall improvement of perinatal care in the National Pediatric Hospital in Phnom Penh and Kampong Chhnang province. The project aims to reduce neonatal, under-five and maternal mortality by improving access to antenatal and postnatal care and training of health workers by Czech experts experienced in various fields of medicine. The design of the care system is based on experience in the Czech Republic but takes into account local human and material capacity, as well as the knowledge of the professional staff and local needs.

Completed

Beds were provided in 2023 (overall perinatology program is planned for 2021-2023).

http://www.czechaid.cz/projekty/ceske-perinatologicke-ruce-leti-do-kambodze/ (currently available only in Czech)

Czech Development Agency, Nerudova 3, 118 50 Prague 1, info@czechaid.cz

The Czech Technical University in Prague and their local partner New Renato Community Society introduce a manual brick-press machine and improved unfired brick production technology to the region. The unfired brick represents a technology historically used in Zambia. This is also a favourable option for building constructions as Zambian timber stocks used for brick firing are limited, wood is endangered by wood-eating insects common in this area and further deforestation may represent an environmental issue. Proven technology of high-quality and durable construction material (which was subject to multiple stress tests) and a simple building tool that is easy to use for everyone and at a reasonable cost create an opportunity to promote construction and encourage small businesses. Complex analysis of the local conditions (analysis of the local soil, building degradation over time, rainfall pattern) preceded the machine construction in order to adapt the technology to the specific needs. This building technology improves traditional brick production to high-quality bricks with interlocking features in a shape similar to toy bricks. The introduced system provides easy manipulation and a simple building process. Brick machines will bring a great alternative in the field of building materials for the local community. Compared to traditional bricks, the presented bricks are stable in their dimensions, stronger, more durable, and do not need to be burnt. At the same time, the entire production process is significantly faster. Moreover, the technology will be right away applied on the spot - local inhabitants are provided with training courses finished with the construction of the model building using unfired brick technology. The shared know-how of locals and the Czech Technical University has a strong potential to improve upon traditional technology and bring a wide range of business and local infrastructure opportunities.

Czech-UNDP Partnership for the SDGs

The Czech Technical University in Prague

New Renato Community Society

USD 40,000 (USD 74,560 incl. co-financing)

Building construction

Kashitu is a rural Zambian area in Central Province with 18.000 inhabitants. The project is tackling multiple interconnected needs in the area. An initiative of improved building technology and related technology of bricks production development directly stems from the request of the local community and the local partner New Renato Community Society. This non-profit organisation engages in rural development which is inseparably connected with appropriate education and provides rural inhabitants with training in e.g. beekeeping, agriculture and good nutrition. All these activities lead to the establishment of local businesses using the available sources. In cooperation with them, insufficient infrastructure (including a secondary school) was identified as a crucial problem in this area. To construct the proper civic amenities for business and education, adopted technology should be used. It will not only enhance the local technology know-how using the already-existing improved technology, but it will also promote the social development of all population groups and the improvement of living conditions.

Completed

2022

https://undp.cz/portfolio-item/zambia-construction-cvut-czech-brick-solution/

UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub, Key Plaza, Abide-i Hürriyet Cd No:142, 34381, Şişli/İstanbul, Türkiye, cup.applications@undp.org

The project will use UNICO's EXPERTS.AI platform, which collects information on university assets such as experts, publications, research projects, technologies or patents, to improve the commercialisation of academic research results and to raise awareness among private investors about the research conducted by two leading Ethiopian universities - Jimma University and Hawassa University. Through EXPERTS.AI widgets, all university assets are presented in a structured and appealing way on university websites to the private sector.  AI algorithms will help create profiles of academic experts and their achievements, as well as enable personalised searches and intelligent recommendations. In addition, experts from local university Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs) will be trained in several transfer workshops on how to build a network of stakeholders for technology transfer and how to apply scientific activity in the commercial sector. A start-up competition, planned by UNICO as one of the follow-up activities of the project, should also further promote business know-how in situ.

Czech-UNDP Partnership for the SDGs

UNICO.AI

Hawassa University

USD 39,992 (USD 54,992 incl. co-financing)

Database management for public sector

In 2012, Ethiopia adopted a new Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, which identified technology transfer as one of the critical policy areas. As a result, TTOs have been established in universities across the country. However, effective links between academic institutions and the private sector (industry) contributing to the commercialisation of technology (inseparably linked to successful technology transfer) and increased industrial productivity, have not been established. Thus, there is a lack of awareness of the benefits of mutual cooperation. The Czech company UNICO.AI, together with its local partner Hawassa University, is addressing this challenge through improved data management and effective presentation of research results to local businesses and the public sector, with a focus on presenting university research centres to private investors. Having in view that the local technology training is important for the project success and to ensure the adaptation of the technology to local needs, the university TTOs are significantly involved in the project. The local experts will be trained on how to master the provided technology and knowledge, thus the absorptive capacity of the technology transfer recipient will be enhanced. The aspect of technological learning and technology commercialisation should enable local experts to establish the local technological base.

Current or in progress

2022-2023

https://undp.cz/portfolio-item/ethiopia-education-unico-czech-technology/

UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub, Key Plaza, Abide-i Hürriyet Cd No:142, 34381, Şişli/İstanbul, Türkiye, cup.applications@undp.org

In order to find a long-term solution for road safety in Addis Ababa, issues on a systemic level should be addressed, while the availability of source data is a prerequisite for this approach. This project develops an analytical traffic safety map (using GLayer technology) and dashboards focused on the interactive analysis of traffic accidents. This solution will transform complex data into charts and maps and visualize the most problematic areas. Such user-friendly data presentation allows for a deep analysis of traffic safety to identify high-risk locations and to get in-depth knowledge of factors that increase the risk of severe accidents. These data-driven insights using both historical and real-time data can help decision-makers of Addis Ababa at different levels of governance gain important information to better design, implement and evaluate measures aimed at reducing road accidents. The data-based solution contributes to the Ethiopian Development Challenge related to Sustainable urbanization and Smart City technologies, including strategic benchmarking tools for economic growth via Big Data usage.

Czech-UNDP Partnership for the SDGs

InnoConnect s.r.o.

Addis Ababa City Administration Traffic Management Agency

USD 40,000 (USD 57,600 incl. co-financing)

Visual analytics of big geospatial data for traffic safety

The project stems from a need for a long-term safety solution while identifying the causes of the accidents at a systemic level, which could enable changes in a road traffic system. According to the Global Road Safety Facility, WHO estimated more than 27.000 road accident fatalities in Ethiopia in 2016, which corresponds to 26,7 fatalities per 100.000 population, mostly pedestrians. Victims of the accidents are mostly children and young people. To produce positive road safety outcomes, strong management in all aspects of road safety is the key, including improvement of road design and operation of the traffic. Many cities have created and adopted urban mobility plans and strategies based on the data sets. However, the data used to inform these strategies often come from siloed sources and so helpful insights that could be used to inform traffic safety policy remain unlocked. This is why the Czech company InnoConnect together with their local partners G Andy Engineering Consult PLC and Addis Ababa City Administration Traffic Management Agency through Challenge Fund implement the project Safer Roads in Ethiopia through identification of high-risk locations.

Completed

2022

https://undp.cz/portfolio-item/safer-roads-in-ethiopia-through-identification-of-high-risk-locations/

UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub, Key Plaza, Abide-i Hürriyet Cd No:142, 34381, Şişli/İstanbul, Türkiye, cup.applications@undp.org