DEVELOPMENT OF LDC INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE EFFECTIVENESS

This final evaluation covers the period 6/76-2/80 and was based on a thorough review of records and interviews with project personnel. The Denver Research Institute (DRI) implemented the project. Flexibility helped make this experimental project a success and should remain primary in the long-term project which is now possible. Quality was the keynote in regard to outputs. DRI held four of six planned regional workshops, attended by 117 participants, to develop techniques and guidelines for training IRI managers. The results were documented in a handbook for IRI management development which has been been translated into at least one other language and has required a second printing. In addition, onsite workshops (mainly to promote IRI outreach) and seminars, attended by up to 500 and 150-200 respectively, were held on such topics as quality control, technology information systems, involvement of women, and project management. As planned, DRI established linkages with three LDC IRI"s: the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, the Institute of Technological Investigations in Colombia, and the Thailand Institute of Scientific Technological Research. All three attained end-of-project status in regard to capability for staff training in project selection and management; interfacing with user communities; impact on local development; and use by government and industry. Due to competing budget demands and an underestimation of the difficulties of initiating grants, only 10 of 25 planned grants were awarded. Proposals, moreover, were generally of poor quality; only three grant projects were both technically and commercially successful. Other results of the project were eight case studies on technological development; reports on women in development; publication of an information service handbook; and successful testing of a technique to use IRI"s to incorporate women into the technology transfer process. The private sector"s role in the project was much larger and broader than anticipated.