BNC secures contract with British Council for strategic consultancy project to improve ST&I in Colombia

BNC is pleased to announce that it has signed a contract with the British Council for a project to improve the way science, technology and innovation (ST&I) is delivered in Colombia. Working with Medellín-based partner Ruta N, the team will evaluate the way ST&I projects are formulated and structured in different departments (provinces) of Colombia. Colciencias, Colombia’s Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, will be one of the primary beneficiaries of this project.

This project is funded through the Newton-Caldas Fund, which itself is part of the international Newton Fund, a £735 million fund which, through science and innovation partnerships aims to promote the economic development and welfare of poor people in developing countries. The Fund is overseen by the Department for Businesses Innovation and Skills (BIS) and delivered through 15 delivery partners in collaboration with 16 partnering countries. For more information please visit: www.newtonfund.ac.uk.

Coordinating the overall project, BNC will be responsible for diagnosing the current status of ST&I project formulation in different parts of Colombia, will design and develop a strategy that facilitates improved and consistent project structure and formulation and will deliver workshops to articulate internationally-regarded best practice in this area. Considerations regarding the protection of biodiversity will also form a key aspect of the project.

Commenting on the project, BNC CEO, Dr David Sarphie, said, “We are thrilled to be working on this important project for the British Council and Colciencias and in collaboration with our key partner in this project, Ruta N. We are confident this project will lead to improved delivery of science, technology and innovation projects in Colombia.”

About British Council

The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. British Council creates international opportunities for the people of the UK and other countries and build trust between them worldwide.

British Council works in more than 100 countries and the 7000 staff – including 2000 teachers – work with thousands of professionals and policy makers and millions of young people every year teaching English, sharing the Arts and in education and society programmes.

British Council is a UK charity governed by Royal Charter. A publically-funded grant-in-aid provides less than a quarter of British Council’s turnover which last year was £781m.  The rest British Council earns from English teaching, UK exams and services which customers around the world pay for, through education and development contracts and from partnerships with other institutions, brands and companies.  All British Council work is in pursuit of their charitable purpose and creates prosperity and security for the UK and the countries British Council works in all around the world.