3 – 7 March 2008, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the African Union are pleased to welcome you to Science with Africa.

There have been numerous initiatives and events undertaken to support African countries in their quest for growth and development. While all these initiatives are positive and aim to eradicate poverty in Africa, it is also important to ensure that growth in the continent is sustained through an indispensable link to innovation, research and development. [more]

 Programme [english | french pdf] [english powerpoint]

Monday, 3 March - Arrival and Registration

Tuesday, 4 March - Opening and Plenary on Science Collaboration [english pdf]

• Science with Africa – a plea for relevance - Dr. Beate Elsa Wilhelm [pdf ]
• Mr. N. Satti, Representative of the Director-General, UNESCO
• H. E. Dušan Caplovic, Deputy Prime Minister, Government of Slovakia [speech pdf]
• Prof. Sir Magdi Yacoub, FRS, Imperial College London, UK [presentation ]
• Prof. Nagia M. Essayed, Commissioner for Human Resources, Science and Technology, AU Commission
• Mr. Abdoulie Janneh, Under-Secretary General and Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) [statement] [presentation ]
• Welcome speech by H. E. Dr. Sintayehu Wolde-Michael, Minister of Education, Ethiopia [speech pdf]
• Key Note Speech: "Science, Technology and Innovation, why R&D is a sina qua non for progress in Africa", Prof. Mohamed H.A. Hassan, President of Third World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) [presentation ] [speech pdf]
• Goodwill Message - H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of Liberia [presentation ]
• Programme Overview, Prof. Sospeter Muhongo, ICSU, Rapporteur General [presentation ]

Moderators: Mr. Abdoulie Janneh, Under-Secretary General and Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) & Prof. Nagia M. Essayed, AU Commissioner for HR & S&T

Rapporteurs: AU, Thierry Amoussougbo and Abebe Chekol, ISTD, ECA [summary | report pdf | english]

Plenary Session 1: Science and technology Innovation - Idea Factory - Introduction

Panelists:

• Ms. Nadja Schnetzler, Founder & IdeaDirector, BrainStore [presentation ]

Moderator: Ms. Beate Wilhelm, Head of the Thematic Department, SDC
Speaker: Ms. Nadja Schnetzler, Founder & IdeaDirector, BrainStore

Rapporteurs: Kuame Kadjo, Cote-D'Ivoire and Ben Yaw Ampomah, Ghana [report pdf | english | french]

Session Coordinator: Mr. Wilfrid Lombe, ECA-SRO, Lusaka

Plenary Session 2: Science and Technology Policies

Panelists:

• ST4D The EU approach - Harry de Backer, Principal Administrator: ICT and R&D for Development, Directorate - General Development, European Commission [presentation ]
• Review of the Science & Technology Policy of Korea - Dr. Jungwon Lee, Research Fellow, Science & Technology Policy Institute, Seoul, Korea [presentation ]
• Dr. Rajendra Prasad, STI Policies: Lessons from India [presentation 59Mb]
• Strategy for the Development of African Science and Technology Policy Framework - Dr. Abdul-Hakim Rajab Elwaer, Director, Human Resource Science and Technology Division, African Union Commission [presentation ]

Moderator: Dr. Abdul-Hakim Rajab Elwaer, Director, Human Resource Science and Technology Division, African Union Commission

Rapporteurs: AU, Wilfrid Lombe, ECA-SRO-Lusaka and André Nonguierma, ISTD, ECA [report | summary pdf | english]

Session Coordinator: Mr. Wilfrid Lombe, ECA-SRO, Lusaka   

Energy, Water, Transport and Infrastructure

Speakers:

• Dr. Kodwo Andah, Scientific Co-ordinator, Water Resources Research and Documentation Centre, Italy [presentation ]
• Dr. Youba Sokona, Observatoire Sahara et Sahel (OSS), Tunisia [presentation ]
• Prof. Winston Soboyejo, Professor and Director, Princeton University, USA [presentation ]

Moderator: Eng. Irene M Nafuna-Muloni, Managing Director, Uganda Electricity Distribution Co. Ltd

Rapporteurs: AU, Jacques Moulot, ISTD-ECA, Phoebe Luwun, Uganda, and Johnson Oguntola, NRID-ECA [report pdf | english]

Session Coordinator: Jacques Moulot, ISTD-ECA

ICTs and Innovation

Speakers:

• Opening remarks, Mr. Debretsion G. Michael, Director General, Ethiopian ICT Development Agency (EICTDA), Ethiopia
• Prof. Emmanuel Tonye, Adviser to the Minister, Ministry of Higher Education, Cameroon [presentation ]
• Dr. Hamdy, Highlights on the African Union and ECA ICT Programmes [presentation ]
• Mrs. Pilar Vera del Castillo, European Parliament, Belgium
• Dr. Sari Kola-Nystrom, General Manager, Industry Marketing for Nokia Siemens Networks Middle East and Africa [paper pdf]

Moderator: Ms. Aida Opoku-Mensah, Director, ICTs, Science and Technology Division, ECA

Rapporteurs: Thierry Amoussougbo, ISTD-ECA and Papa Njie, Gambia [report pdf | english | french]

Session Coordinator: Makane Faye, ISTD-ECA

Agriculture, Health and Life Sciences

Speakers:

• Dr. Monty Jones, Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) [presentation ] [paper pdf]
• Peter Singer, McLaughlin-Rotman Centre for Global Health, University Health Network and University of Toronto, "Accelerating Health Product Commercialization in Sub-Saharan Africa" [presentation ]
• Josué Dione, Director, Food Security and Sustainable Development Division, ECA [presentation ]
• Prof. Vincent P.K. Titanji, Vice Chancellor, University of Buea, Cameroon [presentation ]

Moderator: Prof Ogunlade Davidson, UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

Rapporteur: AU Omari Mponda, Tanzania and Mr. Toure Andre Ofianan, Cote-D'Ivoire [summary | report pdf | english]

Session Coordinator: Kodjo Abassa, FSSD-ECA

Panelists:

• Mr. Alfred Mukezamfura, Honourable Speaker, Parliament of Rwanda
• H. E. Mr. El H. Ousmane Souaré, Ministre, Ministère de l’Education Nationale et de la Recherche Scientifique, Guinée
• S. E. Madame Souad Bendjaballah, Ministre, Ministère de l'enseignement supérieur et de la recherche scientifique, Algérie
• S.E. Hellot Matson Mampouya, Ministre, Ministre Recherche Scientifique et de l'Innovation, Republique du Congo [paper pdf ]
• H. E. Dr. Shukuru Kawambwa, Minister, Ministry of Communications Science and Technology (MCST),
  Tanzania [presentation ]
• Prof. Lidia Brito, University of Eduardo Mondlane, Mozambique [presentation ]
• Eng. Irene M. Nafuna-Muloni, Managing Director, Uganda Electricity Distribution Co. Ltd
• Prof. Edward S. Ayensu, Chairman, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, Ghana
  

Moderator: Mr. Abdoulie Janneh, Under-Secretary General and Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)

Rapporteurs: AU, Mactar Seck , ECA- SRO-Kigali and Umar Bindi, Nigeria [report pdf | english]

Session Coordinator: Ms. Aida Opoku-Mensah, Director, ICTs, Science and Technology Division, ECA

Plenary Session 4: IPR, Patents, Technology Transfer in Africa

Panelists:

• Ms. F.K Mpanju, Patent Examiner, African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) [presentation]
• Dr. Mohamed Khalil Timamy, Coordinator of the Science and Technology Commission Lagos Office, HRST Department, AUC
• Harry Thangaraj, IP Law Ex Director of Research, Centre for the Management of Intellectual Property in Health Research & Development, MIHR [presentation]
• Mr. Getachew Mengiste, Director General, Ethiopian IP Office, "The use of patent information in research and development - the experience of Ethiopia" [presentation]
• Ms. Eskedar Nega, Programme Officer, ICTs, Science and Technology Division (ISTD), ECA "Emerging IPR issues, innovation and the knowledge economy" [presentation ]

Moderator: Prof. Sir Magdi Yacoub, FRS, Imperial College London, UK and Mr. Tom Hurley, Director, Human Development Department (OSHD), ADB

Rapporteurs: AU, Chetima Tidjani, SRO-CA, ECA and Ousmane Ly, Mali [report pdf | english]

Session Coordinator: Mr. Wilfrid Lombe, ECA-SRO, Lusaka

Energy, Water, Transport and Infrastructure

Speakers:

• Prof. Dominik Ruffeis, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life, Vienna [presentation ]
• Prof. Lekan Oyebande, University of Lagos, Nigeria [presentation ]
• Mr. Reason Machigere, Traffic and Transportation Building Technology Institute, Zimbabwe “Can Africa's Transportation Systems Benefit from R&D and the Harnessing of ICT/ITS?” [presentation ]

Moderator: Mr. Antonio Pedro, Chief, Infrastructure & Natural Resources Development Section, NEPAD & Regional Integration Division (NRID), ECA

Rapporteurs: AU, Pancras Niyimbana, NRID-ECA, Albert Rugumayo, Uganda and Johnson Oguntola, NRID-ECA [report pdf | english]

Session Coordinator: Jacques Moulot, ISTD-ECA

ICTs and Innovation

Speakers:

• Dr. Osei Adjei, Department of Computing and Information Systems, University of Bedfordshire, UK: "Use of Artificial Intelligence for the technological development of Africa" [presentation ]
• Professeur Farouk Kamoun, Ecole Nationale des Sciences de l’Informatique, University of Manouba, Tunisia: " ICTs and innovation, the role of African universities" [presentation ]
• Dr. Ousmane Ly, Point Focal , Ministere de la sante, Mali [presentation ]

Moderator: Ms. Aida Opoku-Mensah, Director, ICTs, Science and Technology Division, ECA

Rapporteurs: Abebe Chekol and Mohamed Timoulali, ISTD-ECA [summary | report pdf | english]

Session Coordinator: Makane Faye, ISTD-ECA

Speakers:

• Claire Graber, Collaboration on HIV/AIDS antiretroviral therapy, University of Bern, Switzerland [presentation ]
• Dr. Georgios T. Amanatidis, Scientific Officer, Climate Change and Environmental Risks Unit, European Commission, DG Research, Directorate Environment [presentation ]
• Mr. Walter Alhassan, PBS Coordinator for West and Central Africa, Ghana [presentation ]

Moderator: Prof. Lidia Brito, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Eduardo Mondlane, Mozambique

Rapporteur: Paul Belanger and Hopestone Chavula, ISTD-ECA [report pdf | english]

Session Coordinator: Kodjo Abassa, FSSD-ECA

Panelists:

• Ambassador Theogene Rudasingwa, Vice President Global Affairs, Pangaea Global AIDS Foundation,
  USA [presentation]
• Mr. Jussi Impiö, Nokia Research Africa team - University relations representative Africa - "African ICT R&D cooperation with the international business community - the case of Nokia" [presentation ]
• Mr. Mario Catizzone, Senior Scientific Officer, European Commission, RTD – Research Directorate General [presentation]
• Ms. Rinalia Abdul Rahim, Executive Director, Global Knowledge Partnership Secretariat, Malaysia [presentation ]
• Mme. Shamila Nair-Bedouelle, UNESCO [presentation ]
• Mr. Paul Cunningham, IST-Africa Chair, Ireland [presentation ]

Moderator: Ms. Jennifer Kargbo, Director, ECA Subregional Office – Southern Africa

Rapporteurs: AU, Emmanuel Tonye, Cameroon and Johnson Oguntola, NRID-ECA [report pdf | english]

Session Coordinator: Mr. Wilfrid Lombe, ECA-SRO, Lusaka

Science with Africa MarketPlace

Speakers:

• Prof. Dezi Ngambeki, Dr. Omari Mponda, and Dr. Musa Dube, “Application of science, technology and innovations systems in addressing poverty and food insecurity in Africa” [presentation]
• Mr. Egbetokun Abiodun Adeyemi and Mr. Siyanbola Williams Owolabi, “On the link between science, technology, innovation and development: what matters for African nations” [presentation]
• Dr. Aida Diongue Niang, et al, “Thorpex-africa: a programme to mitigate the effects of natural disasters for the benefit of the African society” [presentation ]
• Dr. Anukam Kingsley Chidozie, “Beneficial microbes (probiotics) can make a significant difference in reducing diarrhea and enhancement of health with clinical research and change of perception”
• Mr. William Armand Mala, “Participatory evaluation of agroecological and socioeconomic innovations in southern Cameroon” [presentation ]
• Dr. Jemal Mohammed Abdella, “The potential of effective microorganisms technology in food security” [presentation ]

Moderator: Dr. Elizabeth Rasekoala, Director, African-Caribbean Network for Science & Technology

Rapporteurs: Alex Tindimubona & Jacques Hamel

Session Coordinator: Chetima Tidjani, SRO-CA, ECA

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Part 2

Speakers:

• Dr. Evelyn Mdoroba et al, “Molecular characterization of lactic acid bacteria isolated from spontaneous sorghum fermentations used to produce ting, a south African fermented food” [presentation ]
• Prof. G.KI. Mbassa, “Intelligence renaissance for livestock production and economic development in subsaharan Africa” [presentation ]
• Mr. Erick Dube, Transwarm, “a sugarcane transport simulation model based on behavioural logistics (transport/infrastructure)”
• Dr. Patricia Berjak, “Plant Germplasm Conservation Research” [presentation ]
• Dr. Tilahun Amede, et al. International Livestock Research Institute and International Water Management Institute. “Improving Returns from African Livestock: Integrated management of livestock and water for increased income, enhanced resilience and reduced environmental degradation” [presentation ]
• Dr. Alexis-Michael Mugabushaka, European Science Foundation, “Measuring the performance of African research systems” a bibliometric assessment [presentation ]

Moderator: Dr. Elizabeth Rasekoala, Director, African-Caribbean Network for Science & Technology

Rapporteurs: Alex Tindimubona & Jacques Hamel

Session Coordinator: Chetima Tidjani, SRO-CA, ECA

Developing Guidelines for Health Research in Africa

Part 1

Speakers:

• Representative, African Union, “Why Africa Needs Clear and Consistent Health Research Standards”
• H. E. Mrs. Avril Doyle, Member of the European Parliament, “Europe’s Growing Interest in Supporting Health Research Expertise and Ethics in Africa”
• Prof. Pierre Effa, Vice-President, Pan-African Bioethics Initiative (PABIN) & President, Cameroon Bioethics Society (CBS), “The Nature and the Objectives of the Project on Health Research Guidelines for Africa”
• Prof. Ifeoma Okoye, Chairman, Association for Good Clinical Practice in Nigeria (AGCPN), “The Nigerian Experience with the Development of Good Clinical Practice and the Opportunity of Pan-African Guidance”
• Prof. Ames Dhai, Director, Steve Biko Centre for Bioethics, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa, “An Overview of the Regulatory Framework for Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research”
• Prof. Joseph Ochieng, Forum for Research Ethics in Uganda (FREU) & Makerere Medical School, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda, “The Development of National Research Guidelines in Uganda and Their Impact on Health Research”
  Moderator: H. E. Avril Doyle, European Parliament, Belgium [presentation ]

Rapporteurs: Ousmane Ly, Mali, Achidi Eric, Cameroon and Dr Fatoumata Sisay-Joof, Gambia [report pdf | english]

Session Coordinator: Aissatou Gueye, SRO-North, ECA

Part 2

Speakers:

• Dr. Christine Wasunna, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), “African Guidelines for Research in Genetics: The Needs and the Challenges” [presentation ]
• Dr. Richard C. Hubbard, Senior Director, External Medical Affairs, International, Office of the Chief Medical Officer, Pfizer, Inc., “The Pharmaceutical Industry: Guidelines and Investment in African Health Research” [presentation ]
• Dr. Phillipa Easterbrook, Infectious Disease Institute, Makerere University, Uganda & Kings College London, United Kingdom, “The Potential Contribution of African Guidelines to International Cooperation in Health Research”
• Dr. Faiza M. Osman, Institute of Endemic Diseases (IED), Khartoum Sudan, “African and International Cooperation on Guidelines Development”
• Prof. Pierre Effa, Vice-President, Pan-African Bioethics Initiative (PABIN) & President, Cameroon Bioethics Society (CBS) Francis P. Crawley, Good Clinical Practice Alliance – Europe & Strategic Initiative for Developing Capacity in Ethical Review (SIDCER), “Summary of the Roundtable Discussion” [ pdf ]

Moderator: H. E. Avril Doyle, European Parliament, Belgium

Rapporteurs: Ousmane Ly, Mali, Achidi Eric, Cameroon and Dr Fatoumata Sisay-Joof, Gambia [report pdf | english]

Session Coordinator: Aissatou Gueye, SRO-North, ECA

Part 1

Speakers:

• Dr. Diola Bagayoko, Southern University and A&M College, Louisiana, USA [presentation ] [abstract ]
• Mr. Evert Kok, Programme Manager, PTC/ITP/TPU, UNIDO “Establishing a Global UNIDO Network of University Chairs on Innovation” [presentation ] [abstract ]
• Dr. Andrew Cherry, Association of Commonwealth Universities, AfricaUnit "Network for the Coordination and Advancement of sub-Saharan Africa-EU Science & Technology Cooperation"
• Christoff Pauw, “Collaboration from the South: the case of Stellenbosch University”
• Dr. Kibuuka Balubuuliza Kiingi, Makerere University, Uganda

Moderator: Mr. Patrick K. Bugembe, Director, ECA Subregional Office – Eastern Africa

Rapporteurs: Dr. Jude T. Lubega, Uganda and Latigo Alfred, SRO-SA, ECA

Session Coordinator: Sizo Mhlanga, ISTD, ECA

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Part 2

Speakers:

• Dr. David Spielman, IFPRI, “Science and Technology research, capacity strengthening and advocacy”
  [presentation ]
• Mr. Peter C. Ekweozoh, “Mentoring young scientists in Africa for innovative application of bioresources & to create bioenterprises: a case study of bioresources development centre in Niger delta region of Nigeria”
• Dr. Amany Asfour, Eyptian Business Women Association (EBWA), African Alliance for Women Empowerment Organization for Women in Trade; Chairperson Human Resources, Science and Technology Cluster ECOSOCC – African Union [presentation ]
• Dr. Emmanuel Chinyamakobvu, “Combating desertification and mitigating the effects of drought to enhance Africa’s adaptation potentials to climate change”
• Dr. Tameru Belay, Adaptive Technology Center for the Blind (ATCB), Ethiopia, “The role of ICT for accessibility, capacity building and empowerment to the blind community in Africa”

Moderators: Ms. Jennifer KARGBO, Director, ECA Subregional Office – Southern Africa

Rapporteurs: Dr. Jude T. Lubega, Uganda and Latigo Alfred, SRO-SA, ECA

Session Coordinator: Sizo Mhlanga, ISTD, ECA

• Science and technology Innovation - Idea Factory - Closing
• Report by the Rapporteur General, Prof Sospeter Muhongo, ICSU
• Closing Remarks by Dr. Abdul-Hakim Rajab Elwaer, Director, Human Resource Science and Technology
  Division, African Union Commission
• Closing Remarks by Mr. Abdoulie Janneh, Under-Secretary General and Executive Secretary of the UN
  Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) (Delivered by Ms Lalla Ben Barka Deputy Executive Secretary of ECA)

Moderator: Prof. Sospeter Muhongo, ICSU

Rapporteurs: Malick Gaye, Senegal, Reason Machigiere, Tanzania and Sizo Mhlanga, ISTD-ECA

Session Coordinator: Mr. Wilfrid Lombe, ECA-SRO, Lusaka