Highlights on SWA-2 events Commercializing Science Workshop >> This 4 hour participatory workshop will provide an introduction to each stage of the “science to business” process, and an opportunity to apply commercialization concepts to African science to business proposals. At the conclusion of the workshop, participants will have a basic working knowledge of technical assessment, competitive analysis, market sizing, intellectual property, building a company, financing, and valuation. Panel on Innovation and Intellectual Property Rights >> Based on the recommendations made during the first Science with Africa Conference in 2008 which observed that for Africa to enjoy the benefits of IPR systems, African countries should ensure that IPR institutions are adequately funded and operate efficiently and that the costs of obtaining, maintaining and enforcing intellectual property rights remain low, ECA in collaboration with IDRC will organize a one day panel on Innovation and IPRs with the objectives of examining the patent system in Africa and recommend ways in which the system could be enhanced to facilitate innovation, technology transfer and industrial development. [more] Innovation/Patent Fair>> The Science with Africa (SWA) Initiative is in the process of creating an online observatory for African inventions and discoveries to facilitate their transformation into commercial assets, goods and services, particularly through increasing Africa’s share of the world’s patents. This is because patents and other intellectual assets have become a key part in the knowledge economy. Business valuations are increasingly based on company patent portfolios, and patent licensing agreements are now the primary vehicle for technology transfer. However, awareness on the need to protect African inventions (through for instance patents or other legal instruments) is not widespread on the continent. Recognizing this fact, ECA in collaboration with its partners will organize an Innovation/Patent Fair during the Second SWA Conference to facilitate linkages with the African private sector and in particular venture capitalists to enable Africans better manage, harness and capitalize on the benefits of their inventions and discoveries. [more |
THE SECOND SCIENCE WITH AFRICA CONFERENCE
(23-25 June 2010, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia)
PLEASE NOTE THAT REGULAR UPDATES WILL BE MADE ON THE WEBSITE IN PREPARATION TO THE CONFERENCE !
The second Science with Africa conference, entitled Science, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, will be held from 23-25 June 2010, in Addis Ababa. The conference will address innovative policy tools and measures to build the necessary human capital, STI infrastructure, financial instruments, strategies targeting under represented groups (e.g. youth and women) and international collaboration. Lessons will be drawn from national experiences in STI policy formulation and implementation.
Specific themes will look at ways for promoting innovation and entrepreneurship; these will include:
1. Science, technology and innovation policies
2. Energy, water, transport and infrastructure
3. Agriculture, health and life science
4. Climate change in Africa
5. Intellectual property rights and technology transfer
6. Information and communication technologies
7. Innovation and entrepreneurial capacities
8. STI capacity building
Register now online: here
Science with Africa Call for Papers: The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and its regional and international partners are inviting submissions of papers for the second “Science with Africa” Conference, entitled Science, Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Specific issues to be discussed include intellectual property protection, innovative investment tools, strategies for human capital development (both for R&D performance and entrepreneurial activities) and use of networks and collaborations to promote innovation and entrepreneurship. [more]
Are you an inventor? Science with Africa (SWA) Initiative is in the process of creating an online observatory for African inventions and discoveries to facilitate their transformation into commercial assets, goods and services, particularly through increasing Africa’s share of the world’s patents. It also seeks to create awareness on the need to protect African inventions.
Recognizing this fact, ECA in collaboration with its partners will organize an Innovation/Patent Fair during the Second SWA Conference.
For details: Click here
[more on SWA2] and followup the preparations!
Send by EmailAfrican Scientists to develop a Climate Change Roadmap
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the International Council for Science Regional Office for Africa (ICSU ROA) has successfully convened a three-day consultative workshop (17-19 March 2010) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with an ultimate aim of preparing an implementable Climate Change Roadmap for Africa. Over 60 senior scientists, economists, lawyers, policymakers and company executives were in attendance. The workshop deliberated on the outcomes of December 2009 Copenhagen Climate Change conference (UNFCCC/COP 15) and adopted four resolutions to produce an African Ecological Footprint Initiative, a Climate Change Roadmap for Africa, Climate Change Funding Opportunities for Africa and publication of a book on Climate Change in Africa by African climate experts. [more]
Training Workshop on African Innovation Framework
The second workshop on the African Innovation Framework was held from 3-7 March 2008 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The ECA supported the formulation of an African innovation framework strategy led by Professor Edward S. Ayensu. This workshop was intended to finalize the draft documents.
Over 21 scientists, policy makers and managers from various national, regional and international institutions and UNECA joined force to assess the draft document, make recommendations and derive a common understanding of the framework and its use. The framework is considered a main component in UNECA’s STI policy advice to countries and the implementation of STI policies.
The framework, developed by Prof Edward Ayensu, outlines key areas in which the power of science and technology can be harnessed by governments to tackle development challenges. The framework has four main pillars:
• Strategic vision, planning and governance;
• Education: primary, secondary, tertiary, technical, vocational;
• Specific policies and enablers;
• Media and public awareness.
For each of these four pillars, opportunities to improve science, technology and innovation, and hence economic growth, in Africa are explored in detail and concrete actions that can be taken by African leaders to enable STI contribute to economic and social development suggested. The framework, therefore, provides a coherent analytical tool for African countries to assess and identify areas for changes and improvements fundamental to creating an enabling innovative environment.
East African Community to mainstream gender in STI
The under-representation of women in STI remains a major challenge to popularize S&T initiative and efforts and broaden its effects on sustainable development. Inclusion of both men and women in STI brings different perspectives and ensures STI is gender sensitive. Some African countries have already developed and implemented programs, structures and policies on gender mainstreaming, and equity in Science and Technology. Further efforts are required to increase the level of success.
The Government of Kenya, through the collaboration of its Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (MoHEST) with the Information Communication Technologies (ICT), and Science and Technology Division (ISTD) of ECA, facilitated a 2-day workshop on “Gender mainstreaming in Science, Technology and Innovation” from 25-26 February, in Mombasa, Kenya. The workshop addressed barriers to the education, training, recruitment, progression and retention of women in S&T related courses in secondary and university education and in S&T careers. Increasing S&T education and career opportunities for women is a key strategy for meeting the heightening demand for S&T skilled workforce and for achieving gender equality in all fields of STI.
The main objective of the workshop was to provide an overview of the status of effective gender mainstreaming strategies and measures in STI policies, programmes, projects and structure in the East African Community, and to develop effective Gender Mainstreaming Action Plan (GMAP) for Eastern Africa. The focus was also placed on developing an African convention on gender mainstreaming in STI that would solve the unique problems embedded in the African continent.
[more]
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East African Network of Research Excellence launched
UNECA supported the Inter-University Council of East Africa (IUCEA) to bring together scientists and R&D managers in a 2-day workshop on “Building the East African Network of Research Excellence (EANRE) and observatory (EANREO)” from 22-23 February, 2010 in Kampala, Uganda. The main theme of the workshop was Enhancing East African Research Excellence through an ICT-Enabled Network and Observatory.
The workshop was intended to share experiences on how R&D is promoted, networked, coordinated, funded, consolidated and represented within the East African region; propose the EANRE concept and EANREO terms of reference; discuss and ratify the EANRE concept and EANREO terms of reference; and learn first hand accounts of the operations of the existing research networks in East Africa. [more]
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AMCOST IV Calls for advancement of science and technology in Africa
African Ministers of Science and Technology met at their fourth Ministerial Session on 10 March 2010, in Cairo, Egypt. The Ministers were meeting to consider the implementation of Africa’s Science and Technology Consolidated Plan of Action (CPA); African Union decisions on science and technology; the Pan African Intellectual Property Organization (PAIPO) and international cooperation, amongst others.
Organized by the Department of Human Resources Science and Technology (HRST) of the African Union Commission (AUC), the Fourth Session of the African Ministerial Conference on Science and Technology (AMCOST IV) followed a two day experts meeting. Under the chairmanship of H.E. Dr. Hany Helal, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the Government of Egypt, AMCOST IV was held in the presence of H.E Prof. Jean Pierre Ezin, Commissioner for the Department of HRST of the AUC and Prof. Walter Erdelen, Assistant Director General of Natural Sciences of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
The meeting recommended that Member States should boost the capacity of the science and technology and ICT divisions of the AUC and work on the establishment of the African Cluster for Science and Technology as a platform to coordinate the implementation of the CPA. Furthermore, the Ministers urged Member States to establish a forum for scientists to share experiences and best practices on science and technology, information on innovation fund mechanisms and research grants. [more]
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“Cooperation 2.0”: Spanish Cooperation Programme on ICTs and Innovation for Development
The 3rd edition of “Cooperation 2.0”, which was held from 1 – 2 March 2010 in Gijón - Spain, demonstrated the commitment of the Spanish Cooperation sector for the integration of ICTs in Development Cooperation, consolidating one of the major international events that analyses the use of ICT in Development Cooperation policies, programs and projects.
Cooperation 2.0 - 2010 appealed to Southern institutions as development cooperation project promoters and agents of innovation within the framework of the Information Society. The main theme was focused on “technological innovation from the South”.
The meeting was aimed at disseminating ICT applied to development of Southern countries through sharing experiences and best practices on innovation for Human Development. It also aimed at transferring and exchanging global knowledge and experiences in public-private partnerships related to the development of ICT projects for development.
Participants were drawn from experts and government agencies responsible for Development Cooperation policies, researchers in ICT for Development Cooperation, Non-profit entities and companies involved in the promotion of Development Cooperation, universities and research institutions, cooperation networks and voluntary workers, and students. [more]
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Africa Sat.1 to provide a dedicated earth observation for Africa
Africa’s challenges in accessing high resolution satellite data needed to monitor changes in land, forestry cover and water resources, among others, are about to be a thing of the past. ECA is partnering with various institutions from academia, private sector, government, international organizations and donors to develop the concept of an indigenous space imaging system for the continent.
Although there are already several Earth Observation satellites available globally, Africa still lacks full access to earth observation data when and where needed. This situation is exacerbated by poor archiving policy from the image producers; difficulty of acquiring cloud-free optical satellite images, especially over the forests, coasts and mountains; absence of permanent receiving stations in the region for commercial high and medium resolution sensors; low continent-wide coverage and; lack of enabling environment and indigenous African capabilities to maintain and share technical data. [more]
Ethiopia wins a global tender to mange Sierra Leone hydropower plant
Ethiopian Electricity Power Corporation (EEPCo) has been hired to manage and maintain the recently constructed Bumbuna Hydropwer Project (BHP) in Sierra Leone, after winning an international tender floated by the Sierra Leone government. [more]
Africa’s Gift to Silicon Valley: How to Track a Crisis
After Kenya’s disputed election in 2007, violence erupted. A prominent Kenyan lawyer and blogger, Ory Okolloh, who was based in South Africa but had gone back to Kenya to vote and observe the election, received threats about her work and returned to South Africa. She posted online the idea of an Internet mapping tool to allow people anonymously to report violence and other misdeeds. Technology whizzes saw her post and built the Ushahidi Web platform over a long weekend.
The site collected user-generated cell phone reports of riots, stranded refugees, rapes and deaths and plotted them on a map, using the locations given by informants. It collected more testimony — which is what ushahidi means in Swahili — with greater rapidity than any reporter or election monitor.
Ushahidi remixes have been used in India to monitor elections; in Africa to report medicine shortages; in the Middle East to collect reports of wartime violence; and in Washington, D.C., where The Washington Post partnered to build a site to map road blockages and the location of available snowplows and blowers. [more]
A first of the kind medical testing kit manufacturing plant opens in Uganda
UGANDA is set to stop the importation of test kits following the establishment of a test kit plant in Uganda. The sh1.6b test kit laboratory, owned by Astel Diagnostic, can produce about 40,000 test kits each day. Uganda needs at least 30 millions test kits per year. Apart from South Africa, Uganda may be the only other country in Africa making test kits at this level. [more]
Kigali to become Africa's first hotspot city
Kigali will soon go wireless after the government launched a $7.66 million wireless broadband (WiBro) facility that is set to make it the first “hot spot” capital city in Africa. The service will go commercial in three months. [more]
Integration of S&T education in the East African Region
Science-based degrees are now transferable in East Africa, as students taking science-related courses at any of the East African Community universities, can now cross- transfer their credits easily. This willl boost mobility of students and lecturers, deepening regional integration. [more]
Ghana to produce pozzolana locally
Ghana is to go into commercial production of pozzolana, an essential ingredient in the manufacture of Portland cement next year. [more]
Tanzania ponders taking US and Brazil to court over patents on local sorghum variety
Tanzania is planning to go to court to stop the US and Brazilian governments, jointly with two multinational firms, from patenting a local variety of sorghum. [more]
Cameroon is reversing its scientific brain drain by boosting the salaries of university academics. Cameroon's government has allocated funds gained from a debt write-off to academic salaries — and has now boosted scientist numbers. [more]
Launch of the Ethiopian Academy of Sciences (EAS), 8-9 April 2010, Addis Ababa [more]
INORMS 2010 - Conference of the International Organisation for Research Management Societies, 11-15 April 2010, Cape Town, South Africa. [more]
Second World Conference of Science and Soccer, 8-9 June, Port Elizabeth, South Africa. [more]
UN-SPIDER Regional Workshop "Building Upon Regional Space-based Solutions for Disaster Management and Emergency Response for Africa", May 2010, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia [more]
Science with Africa II Conference 2-4 June 2010, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia [more]
The 14th World Multi-Conference on Systemics, Cybernetics and Informatics: WMSCI 2010, Orlando, Florida, USA. [more]
The SUMMER 4th International Conference on Knowledge Generation, Communication and Management: KGCM 2010 [more]
The 3rd International Symposium on Academic Globalization: AG 2010 [more]
The 3rd International Multi-Conference on Engineering and Technological Innovation: IMETI 2010 [more]
Four experts from VTT – Technical Research Centre of Finland (www.vtt.fi), a multidisciplinary research organisation, will be working with ECA under the Government of Finland-ECA cooperation to assist in the development of e-government indicators. With its staff of 2700 experts, VTT provides high-end technology solutions and innovation services as part of the Finnish innovations systems under the Ministry of Employment and the Economy. VTT undertakes interdisciplinary research on the interface between technology, the economy and society including technology foresight and technology assessment.
As member of the Partnership on Measuring ICTs, ECA was requested to lead the Task Group on e-government (TGEG) as endorsed by the UN Statistical Commission (UNSC), which requested the Partnership to continue to work to update the list of indicators, with the view of measuring ICT use in education and government. The team of experts will work with the ECA and the TGEG in the drafting of the e-government indicators and the documentation related to the scope, definition, applicability, methodology for data collection and processing of the indicators.
Mr. Torsti Loikkanen is a Senior Research Scientist at the VTT and Research Coordinator of innovation policy studies. His recent research and consulting activities relate to enterprise innovation, innovation policy, technology foresight and techno-economic analysis of sustainable development. His recent publications addresses the challenges posed by globalization to national and European innovation policies, to the integration of industrial innovation and sustainable development, as well as to foresight of energy technologies of the future. He has participated in foresight studies, supported innovation policy-planning on national and Nordic level (e.g. Nordic Hydrogen foresight, http://www.h2foresight.info/). At the European level, he has been engaged in future oriented studies to the European Commission and European Parliament through the European Techno-Economic Policy Support (ETEPS) network (http://www.eteps.net/). He has also been a member of the Management Committee of ETEPS. He is a member of Steering Committee of the international innovation policy network Six Countries Programme (http://www.6cp.net/). He is VTT´s coordinator in the Joint Institute for Innovation Policy (http://www.jiip.eu/jiip/en/overview), and also invited member of The Finnish Academies of Technology (FACTE).
Mr Matti Penttilä works in the Technical Research Centre of Finland, VTT ICT. He has worked in several projects such as telecoms R&D and operative systems development in developed and developing countries. Currently, his main activities are in the fields of development of mobile enterprise systems, mobile communities and interrelations between Technologies, Information Society and Sustainable Development, especially in the EU-projects concerning Sustainable Information Society. Penttilä has extensive experience of planning ICT and knowledge society strategies in the context of developing countries, and has been on long-term assignment in project management in Nepal, and has worked previously for MFA on ICT / Knowledge society project preparation.
Dr Hannes Toivanen has over 10 years of experience from the Finnish and several European innovation systems. He has served as the project manager for the preparation of Finland’s National Innovation Strategy in 2007-2008. He was the coordinator of VISION Era-Net “Shared Knowledge Bases for Sustainable Innovation Policies,” joint innovation policy development and research network of leading innovation policy ministries and agencies from 10 European countries in 2005-09. He served as delegate to the OECD Working Parties “Technology and Innovation Policy” and “Higher Education and Research Institutes” and Secretary of the National EU-Committee for Science and Technology. He is Doctor of Technology Research at Lappeenranta University of Technology. He has implemented STI / IS system and policy research and development projects in Tanzania, Mozambique and works currently at the African Union, Department of Human Resources, Science and Technology, ICT Division.To subscribe to the eNewsletter, send a blank email with the subject SUBSCRIBE to sciencewithafrica@uneca.org.
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