The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the African Union, Scientific Technical and Research Commission (AU-STRC) in collaboration with the International Council for Science Regional Office for Africa (ICSU ROA) and the Kenya National Council for Science and Technology (NCST) organized a training workshop in Nairobi from 25th-28th February in Nairobi, Kenya. The workshop was the first of its kind and brought together more than 50 economists and scientists from the continent and the Diaspora, following a recommendation of the “Science with Africa Conference” which was held from 3-7 March 2008 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Press Release | Agenda | Resolutions | Roadmap | Framework Document | Lessons from Asia
As a result of the Science with African conference and the Ideasfactory, the notion of an African Philanthropists for Science Club was mooted and UNECA was charged by the Conference of Finance Ministers to develop strategies for home-grown solutions to Africa’s scientific challenges as a development priority. This has led to the African Science Philanthropy Initiative (ASPI) that is soliciting the support of leading African business leaders. The concept is to pioneer a new trend in African science philanthropy based on a workable business model. The key aim of the Initiative would be to cultivate indigenous resources that support the continent’s own priorities for Science and Technology development, leading to the creation of industries and the employment opportunities. The overall objective of ASPI would be to link African research institutes and local companies for a mutually beneficial relationship. For more information contact Olusegun Akinsanya.
Contact
Tools for Promoting STI in Africa
Top Ten Reasons Why African Scientists May Find Twitter Useful
Jody Ranck
In recent months we’ve seen a dramatic increase in the number of user’s of the micro-blogging service Twitter.com. From the Mumbai terrorism attacks to the fundraiser for African water projects, Twestival, we’re seeing some creative uses of a service that allows messages of 140 characters or have a major impact in how many people around the world are receiving news alerts or creating new social networks. Twitter is a very simple web-based service (it enables SMS/texting in some markets but the SMS function is currently not available in Africa) that asks “What are you doing?” and you can reply with virtually any message as long as it is within the size limit. Users can “follow” other people they find interesting by simply clicking on their profile. While many people make a big deal out of how many people follow them, I think it is most important to build a network that helps you do things or find important information, stay up to date, or find experts you haven’t come across in other forums. I’ve done a little research to see how scientists and Africans of various backgrounds are using Twitter and here are Top Ten uses I’ve seen so far... [more]
Twitter Website
Last Call!! African Science to Business Challenge
The 2009 inaugural Challenge focuses on two categories: biomedical engineering, which integrates physical, chemical, mathematical, and computational sciences and engineering principles for the study of biology, medicine, behavior and health; and water quality, which is central to the human rights and personal dignity of every person.
This
pioneering initiative is aimed at strengthening links between scientific
research and business development. The deadline for submitting entries
is 31st May 2009. The African Science to Business Challenge (ASBC) is
designed to balance the need for scientific research that addresses immediate
social and economic needs while building Africa’s capacities in
STI. [more]
African Science to Business Challenge Website
Developing e-m-government in Africa
A capacity development workshop for senior policy makers, practitioners and experts on e/m government initiatives was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 17 19 February 2009 on the theme: 'Electronic/mobile-Government in Africa, Progress Made and Challenges Ahead'. It was organised by ECA in partnership with the Division for Public Administration and Knowledge Management (DPADM) of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA).
A two-day conference was held under the theme The development of an equitable information society: The role of African parliaments, and brought together more than 100 delegates including eight speakers, deputy speakers and MPs from 40 African countries. The Conference was co-sponsored by the Government of Finland through the second phase of the “ECA-Finland Cooperation on ICT Development in Africa” and hosted by the Parliament of Rwanda in collaboration with the organizers, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). The conference held in Kigali, Rwanda from 3 – 5 March, 2009 provided a unique opportunity for African Parliamentarians to take advantage of the digital revolution as a means of strengthening democratic participation and accountability, improve effectiveness and efficiency of public service.
In addition and prior to the Conference, ECA in collaboration with the United Nations Asia and Pacific Training Center for Information and Communication Technology for Development (UN-APCICT), and with the support of the Government of Korea and Japan, launched the “Academy of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Essentials for Government Leaders in Africa”. This consists of a core Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D) curriculum with eight stand-alone modules ranging from basic to more advanced topics on ICT4D. Members and ICT staff of Parliaments were introduced to the first two modules of the Academy entitled “The Linkage between ICT Applications and Meaninigful Development” and “ICT4D Policy, Process and Governance”. For more information on the training contact: Girma Dessalegn.
A study was commissioned on private sector support investments for ICT research and development in Africa following the Science with Africa conference. The main objectives of the study were: (i) to identify companies supporting ICT R & D in Africa; (ii) to evaluate the contributions being made by such companies in this regard; (iii) to clearly highlight trends and differences in different sectors; and (iv) to recommend a vision, goals and activities that ECA will use to harness such resources in the context of an ICT R&D strategy for Africa. [more]
Study on Development of Business Model for S&T Institutions
This study was commissioned based on the fact that African countries have shown a growing interest for the creation of science and technology parks; business incubators and business incubators; centers of excellence; and this, fairly often, within a science, technology and innovation policy framework. The overall objective of this study is to present a comprehensive and comparative analysis of the overall situation, the evolution of Technology Parks, Centers of Excellence, and Business Incubation centers, in identified countries of Northern and Southern Regions of Africa, highlighting the lessons learned, examining the continent and worldwide best practices and developing a comprehensive Business Model that can be used as a policy tool for development actors and decision-makers. [more]
Promoting Science, Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Development in Africa
This study first analyzes the current state of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) in Africa, identifying the Weaknesses and Challenges and the STI deficit. Recommendations are then put forward on what needs to be done to promote change in Africa in the areas of Government policy and commitment, human resource and scientific development, linking science and technology to action, linking frontier science and technology to innovation, strengthening African science academies, linking science to society and promoting partnerships with other countries. The report will be launched in the upcoming CODIST-I conference to be held from the 27th April to the 1st May 2009. For further information see the Upcoming Science-related events section below.
The Government of Kenya and the Republic of South Africa signed an Agreement for cooperation in Science and Technology in August 2004. The two countries have decided to jointly support researchers from public universities and public research institutes on an equal and mutually beneficial basis in an effort to enhance scientific and technological cooperation between the two countries. [more]
US10-billion Japanese package for science and technology research in Africa
The Japanese government has earmarked, 10 billion US dollars under its Cool Earth Partnership project, to support science and technology research in 32 African countries including Ghana, Mr. Keiichi Katakami, Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, announced on Thursday 5th March 2009... [more]
Global Information Technology Report 2008-2009: Progress on Sub-Saharan and Northern Africa
Mauritius, at 51st, moves three places up from 2007 and overtakes South Africa as the most ICT-ready economy in the region. Mauritius’ networked readiness is boosted by an excellent market environment (29th), which is characterized by little red tape and low and non-distorted taxes (8th and 12th for the extent and effect of taxation and total tax rate, respectively), among others...[more]
Google at seaGoogle Earth has been updated with Google Ocean, based on an application that lets Internet users dive beneath the sea to explore the sea bed/floor, watch videos, etc. Take a look for yourself at http://earth.google.com/ocean... [more]
Brainwaves show your ID
Researchers have developed new security technologies that identify people by their brain waves. This is as a collaboration between universities and private companies such as Volvo and Siemens, known as the HUMABIO project. [more]
Scientists developed a new biofuel producing system using Coffee ground
Scientists found that Coffee grounds — currently wasted or used as garden compost — could become a cheap and environmentally friendly source of biodiesel and fuel pellets. [more]
Committee
on Development Information, Science and Technology (CODIST)
The First Session of ECA's Committee
on Development Information, Science and Technology - CODIST,
which was constituted to replace the Committee on Development Information
(CODI) is scheduled to take place from 27 April to 1 May 2009 at the
United Nations Conference Centre (UNCC), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The
event shall include workshops, a colloquium and Awards ceremony of the 2009
Technology in Government in Africa (TIGA) in collaboration
with the Canada Fund for Africa and Government of Finland, with a host of sponsors. The theme for CODIST-I is Scientific
Development and the Knowledge Economy. [more]
Date: 27 April - 1 May 2009
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Website | Registration | Newsletter Vol 1 No 1 | Newsletter Vol 1 No 2
The United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names (UNGEGN) established by the United Nations Secretariat is mandated to provide encouragement and guidance to member states to establish geographic names and to produce national gazetteers. UNGEGN meets between the United Nations Conferences on the Standardization of Geographical Names (UNCSGN), now held every five years, to follow up on the implementation of resolutions adopted by the Conferences. In 2009, the twenty-fifth Session of the UNGEGN will be held at the United Nations in Nairobi, Kenya. This meeting is being held in Africa for the first time, and African countries are being encouraged to should take advantage of this to showcase their activities in this area.
Date: 5 - 12 May 2009
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Contact | Website | Registration: Please contact Mr. Yacob Zewoldi: Tel: +1 212 963-0445
Entrepreneurship for Scientists and Engineers from Developing Countries in Africa
In October 2005, politicians, educators and physicists from the world over gathered in Durban, South Africa for the World Conference on Physics for Sustainable Development (WCPSD) to consider the role of physics in creating a sustainable future for developing countries. One of the recommendations of the WCPSD was : “The establishment of a training programme in entrepreneurship and business skills for physicists”. This recommendation came after realizing that bridging the research commercialization chasm has to be urgently tackled in many developing countries including Africa.
Date: 9 - 13 November 2009
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Conference Email | Website | Information
2nd IEEE Conference on Adaptive Science & Technology
ICAST is a refereed international conference for researchers, academics, industry professionals, practicing technologists & anybody engaged in technology and related issues. ICAST 2009 solicits contributions in all areas in Information & Communications Technology
(ICT), electrical/electronic engineering and related areas. ICAST also provides an opportunity for companies to showcase their products,
and for entrepreneurs to explore investment opportunities. The first ICAST meeting was successfully held 10-12 Dec 2007 with two
ministerial addresses and participants from several countries.
In 2009, ICAST will be held in Accra, Ghana. Ghana is one of the most politically stable, safest and hospitable countries in Africa. It's a
country rich of cultural diversity. You are invited to submit original full papers to any of the featured conference areas. ICAST 2009
program will include Technical Sessions, Symposia, Tutorials, Workshops, Design and Developers Forum and a Student Program.
Your participation in ICAST 2009 is surely to be an enduring experience. It is an opportunity for you to experience the spectrum of
opportunities available to you at ICAST 2009, including technical knowledge, networking & investment opportunities. The organizing
committee will be privileged to welcome you to Ghana & ICAST’09 on 14 Dec 2009.
Date: 14- 16 December 2009
Location: Accra, Ghana
Website | Registration
The Egypt-IBM Nanotechnology Research Center is actively looking for qualified candidates for several research positions. Candidates must have an excellent academic record and an affinity to conceptualize, initiate, and conduct research in the Project Area stated. English language fluency (spoken and written) is essential, as are good writing and oral communication skills, as well as interpersonal skills. [more]
ICT, Science & Technology Division (ISTD)
PO Box 3001
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia