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2 July 2009
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The CAAST-Net Bulletin publishes recent news and reports from the Europe-Africa science and technology cooperation landscape. Events, projects and work featured in this issue include: the second CAAST-Net Annual Assembly held in Marseille on June 16-18, a thematic workshop on energy research cooperation hosted by CAAST-Net in Dakar in May, the CAAST-Net-hosted FP7 information day in Cape Verde, and the much-heralded CAAST-Net workshop on bridging the S&T-development divide. Among other items, we also examine the latest on the next round of FP7 calls, provide some guidelines on steps in the FP7 proposal cycle, and cover the recent bi-lateral agreement in S&T signed by South Africa and Uganda. To subscribe for and contribute to this important publication please send your news, insights, or comment to editor@caast-net.org. |
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2 July 2009
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The Forum is organised by the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO). In its fourth successful year, this year’s conference will be in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Communication, Zambia and is designed to prepare African ICT decision-makers for the next steps in driving rural connectivity. CTO is delighted to announce that His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Rupiah Bwezani Banda has confirmed his attendance as the Guest of Honour. Furthermore, the CTO has already confirmed the attendance of several ministers from across Sub-Saharan Africa to speak on current policies and practices and how we can work together to bypass the infrastructure difficulties, plan, deliver and learn from best practice case studies in ICTs and ultimately change the face of ICT’s in rural communities. The Forum is the only event in Sub-Saharan Africa that brings together more than 30 Government Ministers and ICT Regulators from over 20 countries to discuss policy and regulatory frameworks for 3 full days including 12 hours of planned networking and receptions for you to develop business relationships and future sources of funding. Join us and our fellow Partners, Sponsors and ICT decision makers in our biggest event of the year. Early bird registrations close on July 7 so book your conference place now. To register as a speaker, or to speak and support the event though sponsorship please contact: Isla Falconer at +44 20 8 600 3807 or email. To register as a sponsor, exhibitor, delegate please contact: Marco de Kock at +44 20 8 600 3811 or email or Joseph Taylor at +44 20 8 600 3810 or email. Registration form and agenda are available here. |
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26 June 2009
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TWAS, AAS and Microsoft are accepting applications for their Grants for Computer Science Meetings in African Countries programme until Sept. 1, 2009, for meetings to be held in the first half of 2010. The deadline for meetings to be held in the second half of 2010 is Dec. 1, 2009. Applications for grants up to EUR 4,000 should be submitted by the organisers of international and regional scientific meetings being held in Africa. Support is normally provided in the form of travel grants for principal speakers from abroad and/or participants from developing countries other than the country where the meeting is held. Supported speakers should be from not-for-profit research organisations. More… |
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19 June 2009
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Facilitated by the Digital World Forum, this workshop (Sept. 8, 2009 / 9:00 am - 5:30 pm / Brussels, Belgium) on using low cost information access devices to foster social and economic development will gather a cross-section of stakeholders, among them interested members of various European Technology Platforms (ETPs), device designers, manufacturers, researchers, innovators, suppliers, consumers, and special interest groups with an interest in low cost information access devices (LCIADs). The workshop is expected to deliver a European Perspective on possible application of such devices in fostering social and economic development, thereby closing the digital divide. A state-of-the-art analysis of LCIADs will be availed to participants by July 31, 2009. Participants to the workshop will add value to the analysis by drilling down to specific possible interventions, based on their experience, expertise, research focus, strategic objectives or interests. Through this synergy, an informed Roadmap for LCIADs can subsequently be developed. To register for the workshop, or to get further information please visit the website or contact the workshop chair. You can learn more about the Digital World Forum – a forum on Accessible and Inclusive ICT, and about the workshop on Low Cost Information Access Devices on this website. The Digital World Forum is a project of the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7), the primary European instrument for funding research and technology development. |
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15 June 2009
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Makerere University
(Kampala, Uganda), a partner of the EuroAfrica-ICT project, is organising an international forum for researchers and practitioners in computer science, software engineering, information systems, information technology, computer engineering, data communications and computer networks and ICT for sustainable development. The conference will bring together the world’s most respected authorities in the above disciplines and is scheduled to take place on August 2-5, 2009 in Kampala, Uganda. Additional details regarding thematic presentations and speakers can be found here.
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12 June 2009
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Penetration rate of mobile and wireless technologies in developing countries is far above the world’s average. The usage of such technologies in developing countries, as a result, has been exponentially increasing and has surpassed the usage in developed countries. A number of questions are being raised by local academicians, technology professionals, industry and policy makers on how better to exploit the popularity of mobile and wireless technologies in developing countries for social and economic development through innovative localized mobile products and services. Various SMS-based mobile projects for learning, health, governance, and banking have been identified based on mobile and Web technologies. In addition to a few SMS-based services that appear on the scene, these are just a proof of concept and announce the beginning of the thousands of new locally relevant mobile services that can be easily absorbed in the future mobile market in developing countries. In fact, we are witnessing mobile terminals being transformed into tools capable of delivering any public information and services, just like the Internet. This is demonstrated by the Internet and Web services emergence in the mobile arena and the increased capabilities of modern mobile devices. The theme of the 2nd workshop to be organised by Makerere University (EuroAfriCa-ICT Project Partner) due to take place on July 31s 2009 is to foster the development of innovative and secure mobile services for solving societal needs and promote economic development. Therefore, the Faculty of Computing & IT would like to invite academics and stakeholders to submit original ideas that will solicit the theme of the workshop. For more information visit the dedicated url. |
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12 June 2009
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Senior African scientists have asked the world's richest and most rapidly developing countries, meeting under the G8+5 banner next month, for help to stem the ruinous exodus of scientists from their continent. Migration is one of the main agenda points of the meeting, which will take place in Italy from 8-10 July. In a statement published on 11 June, the Network of African Science Academies (NASAC) urges the governments of the G8+5 grouping - including Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa - to help Africa rebuild its university sector. It also urges them to take up the proposals for African universities that have been made in the past. It calls for training programmes that would allow African research students to stay in Africa or study in other developing countries rather than in rich ones where they may be more likely to stay. Brain drain remains a devastating force in Africa, NASAC says. "One third of all African scientists live and work in developed countries. This outflow represents a significant loss of economic potential for the continent, especially in today's global society where scientific and technological knowledge drive development," the statement reads. Although the primary responsibility for addressing brain drain rests with African governments, external assistance will remain "instrumental" for resource-starved countries, it continues. Africa has yet to see many results from the endorsement of centres of excellence by the G8 summit in Gleneagles in 2005 (see G8 leaders give indirect boost for science in Africa) or recommendations by the Commission for Africa, also in 2005, that the continent needs US$5 billion in funding for universities and US$3 billion for centres of excellence (see Commission 'to seek US$5 billion for African universities' and Science capacity 'imperative' for Africa's development). The statement also underlines the need to connect African scientists in the diaspora with those remaining at home. "Tens of thousands of Africa's scientists now live and work in developed countries. Most will never return. It is important to recognise this reality and to devise policies that will allow Africa to take advantage of the knowledge and expertise of their emigrant citizens," NASAC says in the statement. Abed Peerally, a Mauritian agricultural scientist and early shaper of NASAC, told SciDev.Net that to stop brain drain Africa must also address a range of socioeconomic challenges. "We need more good governance, sound economic policies and a dramatic boost to infrastructural development without which no amount of science and technology (S&T) input would have any impact," he says. Meanwhile Calestous Juma, development expert at Harvard University, questions the effectiveness of lobbying the G8+5 grouping and urges African scientists to explore other avenues to foster S&T in their countries. Juma believes industrial and infrastructural development, such as the new fibre optic cable being laid along the East African coast, offer better avenues for revitalising S&T in Africa. "This is the most important investment in the region since the construction of colonial railways," he says. "The academies should look further and identify other practical opportunities to foster new partnerships." |
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11 June 2009
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TWAS, in partnership with the African Academy of Sciences (AAS) and Microsoft Research Ltd, has established the TWAS-AAS-Microsoft Award for Young Scientists for the three-year period 2009-2011. The award aims at recognizing young scientists working and living in Africa whose research in computer science has had, or could have, a positive impact in the developing world. Scientists who have received their most recent research degree in the past 10 years are eligible. Nominees can be any nationality, but must have been resident in Africa for at least two years prior to their nomination. Each year, three winners will be selected from different countries on the continent. Each recipient will receive a EUR 7,000 cash award generously contributed by Microsoft Research Ltd, EUR 5,000 of which is earmarked for further research. The deadline to receive nominations has been extended to July 31, 2009. Inquiries and completed nomination forms should be addressed to: TWAS-AAS-Microsoft Award for Young Scientists (Phone: +39 040 2240-387 / Fax: +39 040 2240-689 / E-mail: prizes@twas.org). |
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11 June 2009
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The next Brokerage Event organised by Ideal-ist with his new brokerage software is the “Challenge 3 Face2Face” in Basel, on June 25, 2009. Ideal-ist is organising this brokerage event in collaboration with the European Commission (DG INFSO) to provide the latest information about ICT Challenge 3 (Nanoelectronics Technology, Engineering of Networked Monitoring and Control Systems, Photonics and Microsystems and Smart Miniaturised Systems) and to enable the participants to facilitate the setup of FP7 project consortia (ICT Call 5). Online registration is already open. This event specific brokerage tool enables Face2Face members to match their ICT interests, expertise, collaboration offers and requests with those of other Face2Face members. Furthermore, the Face2Face Brokerage Tool will be used to plan pre-scheduled meetings at events between researchers, delegates from universities, government and laboratories, big companies and SMEs who want to find project partners or want to join a project from countries all over the world participating in the 7th EU framework programme. An intelligent search matching algorithm-software allows automatic allocation of timeslots for Face2Face meetings and simplifies the organisation of brokerage events as well as the success rate for finding appropriate partners. Further enquiries? Contact Susanne Formanek. |
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10 June 2009
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Ideal-ist, the worldwide ICT support network has been assisting proposers for 13 years in building consortia and strengthening the whole network for Information and Communication Technologies by using its unique quality labelled and well-established partner search system. Other services include providing update information to open calls and workshops for proposers. Just in time for the 5th ICT Call, which will be launched at the end of July, Ideal-ist presents its new software tool as an additional service to the successful partner search system: the Face2Face Brokerage Tool. This newly developed software is implemented on the ideal-ist website and offers the following possibilities: 1. to promote profile and collaboration offers and requests / 2. to get in touch with other proposers / 3. to book meetings with potential project partners on-line / 4. to actively participate in a Face2Face event. Further enquiries? Contact Susanne Formanek. |
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30 May 2009
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The fourth eLearning Africa conference on ICT for Development, Education and Training was held on May 27-29, 2009. Under the patronage of the Republic of Senegal and attended by its President Abdoulaye Wade and Prime Minister Souleymane Ndéné Ndiaye, as well as 10 other ministers, eLearning Africa attracted 1315 eLearning users, newcomers, providers and experts from 85 countries, who gathered over the three conference days at Le Méridien President in Dakar, Senegal. The EuroAfriCa-ICT project has been presented during the conference in a session entitled “Creating a Research Agenda for TEL in Africa”. Presenters in this session tried to answer at least some of the following questions: what should a research agenda on technology-enhanced education entail and what is the best way to go about such research in the first place? what is the best way to link research outputs to policy decision-making? are there promising practices that can be used to inform stakeholders and just how easy is it to take research outputs from one region to another in the field of technology-supported learning? Judith Lenti-Sidibé form PIWA (EuroAfriCa-ICT Consortium Member) represented the EuroAfriCa-ICT project by addressing the following topics: “Creating a Research Agenda for TEL in Africa and Accessing Further Research Fundin”g. Both the EuroAfrica-ICT project and the FP7 programme (especially the Technology Enhanced Learning challenge) were explained to the session attendees in addition with the EuroAfrica-ICT project activities and main objective (foster the dialogue between researchers and decision-makers -- Euro-Africa Cooperation Forum on ICT Research, Bird-of-a-feather sessions, community section, etc.). eLearning Africa is the most comprehensive conference on ICT for development, education and training on the Continent. Its mission is to bring people together who are actively engaged in education and in the implementation of learning technologies in schools, universities, corporate training as well as in education in the public sector. Participants are high-level decision-makers such as Ministers of Education, representatives from government agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), development agencies and international organizations, senior executives from businesses, as well as practitioners from all fields of education. |
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26 May 2009
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CAAST-Net
is a network for the Coordination and Advancement of Sub-Saharan Africa-EU Science and Technology Cooperation, which is supported by the European Commission ( DG Research). CAAST-Net organises an Information Day on the EU’s 7th Framework Programme ( FP7) in Cape Verde, which aims to foster both the sharing and discussion of general information about FP7, opportunities under FP7, and the best conditions for successful participation by African entities in FP7. The event will provide specific relevant information about schemes within FP7 of special interest for African researchers and institutions, and may interest either researchers, decision makers at research units or representatives of national authorities aiming at implementing or reinforcing the promotion of National Information Points for FP7. Please note this is not a specific event on FP7 regarding ICT but generally regarding Science & Technology. The Information Day will take place on the Ilha de Santiago, and is hosted by the Direcção Geral de Ensino Superior e Ciência (DGESC), Cape Verde and Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, Portugal (FCT). A preliminary agenda can be found here. For more information please contact, very urgently, José Bonfim
or Margarida Ferreira.
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21 May 2009
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Over 70 delegates participated in the successful 13th EuroAfriCa-ICT FP7 Awareness Workshop held on May 19-20, 2009 in Cotonou, Benin. The 2-day workshop was organised by PIWA (the Panos Institute West Africa), as partner of the EuroAfriCa-ICT consortium and focal point for the Western African region, in partnership with the Campus Numérique Francophone ( CNF) of Cotonou. The aim of this workshop was to raise awareness on collaboration/funding opportunities offered to sub-Saharan African organisations by the European Commission’s Seventh Framework Programme for research and technological development ( FP7). The opening ceremony was marked by welcome speeches delivered by Honourable Gounde Désiré Adadja (Ministrer of Communication and ICT in Benin), Jean Tchougbe (Manager of the Campus Numérique Francophone of Cotonou), Ken Lohento (PIWA ICT Programme Coordinator), and Hoa-Binh Adjemian (Head of the Infrastructure Section at the European Commission Delegation in Benin). Dr Goundé Désiré Adadja insisted on scientific research impact on development issues, on the importance of R&D in the ICT sector and in particular on challenges for Benin in these domains, and, finally on the Head of State vision of Benin to become the “Digital District of West Africa”. He also underlined the importance of welcoming foreign attendees from Senegal, Burkina Faso, Togo, Niger and Morocco because it enables to foster South-South cooperation and to create African regional networks of researchers able to enter greater worldwide networks. He welcomed the EuroAfrica-ICT project and expressed the hope that Benin will get high benefits from this initiative. The meeting then provided an important opportunity for participants to exchange about Nigerian R&D and ICT achievements, opportunities and constraints, to network and meet key organizations active in this area, including ISOCEL Telecom, Benin Telecom, the Institut de Mathématiques et de Sciences Physiques (IMSP), the Centre Béniniois de la recherché Scientifique et technique (CBRST); the African Virtual University, etc. A thematic group discussion held the second day helped in identifying more specifically R&D ICT themes of interest to West Africa with indications of their linkages to FP7 challenges. The workshop also gave participants a unique occasion to see demos of e-health softwares from Senegal and Mali. This workshop was really successful and a real 'eye-opener' as indicated by most participants. Collaboration between the various partners went very well, as they were truly engaged and contributed in cohesion, through various manners, to the success of the event. Outputs from this workshop can be found here. |
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19 May 2009
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The Digital World Forum is facilitating a workshop on applying low cost information access devices in fostering social and economic development by bridging the digital divide with such devices. The workshop is scheduled on June 30, 2009 from 9am to 5pm, in Brussels, Belgium. The workshop will gather a cross-section of stakeholders, among them representatives from European Technology Platforms (ETPs) whose Strategic Research Agendas (SRA) are or may be closely linked to future developments in the domain of low cost information access devices (LCIADs) and related domains on which the use of LCIADs may depend. Other stakeholders will include researchers, manufacturers, suppliers, consumers, special interest groups with an interest in LCIADs. The Digital World Forum (DWF) is analysing the current State-of-the-Art of LCIADs. Participants to the workshop will add value to the analysis by drilling down to specific possible interventions, based on their experience, expertise, research focus or strategic objectives. The focus of the workshop will, therefore, be to share knowledge of the participating stakeholders that needs to be taken into account in developing a possible roadmap for LCIADs. The workshop will take the form of 1/. Breakaway sessions for discussing, brainstorming and analysing issues on LCIADs, 2/. Feedback sessions during which each group will present proposed agreed solutions to issues considered, as well as 3/. Pening up such feedback to positive challenge by fellow participants through logical questioning. A backdrop to the workshop will be the State-of-the-Art Analysis of Low Cost Information Access Devices (LCIAD’s) to be availed to registered participants by 24 June 2009. The workshop will provide useful feedback to the document by drilling down to specific possible future interventions in the domain of LCIADs and how such initiatives may foster social and economic development. Areas of interest may cover but will not be limited to: 1/. Political, economic, cultural or social, legal and technological environmental analysis covering both enablers and impediments to the use of LCIADs in fostering social and economic development, 2/. Analysis of application areas to which LCIADs may be employed, and 3/. Analysis of the actual technologies that may be employed in future LCIADs. To register for the workshop, or to get further information please visit the website or contact the workshop chair . You can learn more about the Digital World Forum – a forum on Accessible and Inclusive ICT, and about the workshop on Low Cost Information Access Devices on this website. |
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19 May 2009
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ESASTAP (the dedicated platform for the advancement of European - South African scientific and technological (S&T) cooperation) has created South Africa's mobility Portal. The portal has been created to promote researcher exchanges between South Africa and Europe. With the publication of the recent Marie Curie International Outgoing Fellowships call for proposals, which can provide funding for European researchers to work in South Africa, typically for periods of 2-3 years, ESASTAP invite all South African research and technology organisations, interested in hosting a European Marie Curie fellow, to publish details of available research positions in their organisations, which could be filled by a Marie Curie fellow. Please forward information on the research positions for publication on the mobility portal to Ms Mamohloding Tlhagale. Details of these positions will also be disseminated by ESASTAP throughout Europe in order assist South African organisations in finding possible applicants. |
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9 May 2009
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The Meraka Institute, together with Sigma Orionis the EuroAfriCa-ICT Project Coordinator participated in the IST-Africa 2009 Conference and Exhibition, supported by the European Commission ( DG INFSO), co-sponsored by IEEE and hosted by the Government of the Republic of Uganda through the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology ( MICT). The event took place on the shores of Lake Victoria at Speke Resort & Conference Centre, Munyonyo, Kampala, on May 6-8, 2009. This was the fourth in an annual conference series which brings together representatives from leading commercial, government & research organisations across Africa and Europe, to discuss national and regional developments, issues of concern and good practice models and learn more about opportunities to participate in ICT Calls under Framework Programme 7 ( FP7). Almost 200 conference participants had the opportunity to network, share experiences and work together to identify opportunities for research collaboration under FP7 as well as adaptation of existing research results. IST-Africa 2009 featured a small exhibition that provided exhibitors the opportunity to showcase research results and applications through technology demonstrations, whether funded commercially or at national, regional or European level. The EuroAfrica-ICT project was involved in the IST-Africa 2009 exhibition and networking session. The exhibition booth was shared with the European - South African Science & Technology Advancement Programme ( ESASTAP) and Science and Technology Europe Africa Project ( STEAP). The stand distributed project brochures and information about the EuroAfriCa-ICT project activities undertaken in the sub-Saharan Africa, Europe and the Caribbean and how the project support services for FP7 proposals work, the European Commission’s Research Funding Programme (FP7) in the ICT field, and promoted the EuroAfriCa-ICT Cooperation Forum on ICT Research scheduled for early next year (2010). The EuroAfrica-ICT initiative coordinator, Sigma Orionis, represented by Ms Karine Valin took the opportunity of this event to deliver a presentation during the conference networking session on Day 3 (May 8, 2009) of the conference under the theme “Challenges and Opportunities for African-European ICT Partnerships in FP7”. The session was chaired by Mr. Mmboneni Muofhe (Department of Science & Technology, DST, South Africa) and attended by over 20 representatives of the Euro-Africa ICT community. |
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7 May 2009
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Given the increasing number of regional, national and international initiatives addressing the development of EU-African S&T cooperation, the EuroAfriCa-ICT project is mandated by the European Commission (DG INFSO - International Relations Unit) to enhance links between related initiatives implemented in Europe, in sub-Saharan Africa and in the Caribbean and addressing ICT research. In this perspective the EuroAfriCa-CT consortium organises quarterly “concertation meetings” offering an opportunity to key stakeholders in the field to share visions, network and build synergies. The first meetings (organised since December 2006) have proved to be very successful in fostering partnerships between projects and initiatives from sub-Saharan, the Caribbean and Europe, in sharing information, building networks among researchers, etc. The 7th EuroAfrica-ICT Concertation Meeting organised by the EuroAfriCa-ICT project, in close liaison with the European Commission's DG Information Media and Society through its Seventh Research Framework Programme (FP7) will take place at the European Commission premises in Brussels, Belgium on October 1, 2009. Envisioned agenda items include presentations related to the the 5th FP7/ICT Call for Proposals and past event outputs such as the “1st Euro-Africa Cooperation Forum on ICT Research” (March 25-26, 2009 - Brussels, Belgium), the IST-Africa 2009 Conference (May 6-8, 2009 - Kampala, Uganda) and the 4th international conference on ICT for development, education and training (May 27-29, 2009 - Dakar, Senegal). Different units of the European Commission (mainly from DG INFSO, DG DEV and DG RTD) will also join to address the status and perspectives of their respective activities and programmes with sub-Saharan Africa. Registration is free but pre-registration is compulsory. More information coming soon. |
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2 May 2009
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A follow up event to the one that successfully took place on March 24-25 in Brussels, Belgium - Meeting the networking needs of the Euro-African ICT communities, the “2nd Euro-Africa Cooperation Forum on ICT Research” is the key venue for organisations addressing ICT research from Africa, Europe and the Caribbean. Enabling event delegates to develop multinational and cross-industry contacts and partnerships, as well as to enhance their knowledge, expertise and abilities, the “2nd Euro-Africa Cooperation Forum on ICT Research” will highlight the key issues that currently hamper the full deployment of ICTs in Africa and see how Europeans and Africans can collectively maximise their impact in bringing concrete responses to African needs, support the development of a truly inclusive Information Society on the continent, and enhance the development of Euro-Africa collaborative projects. At the 1st edition of the event earlier this year, over 320 participants from some 50 different countries - including both policy-makers and ICT researchers in the public and private sectors - gathered in Brussels (Belgium) during the 2-day Conference at the European Commission premises in Brussels. Over 40 percent of the participants came from sub-Saharan African countries. The event was organised by the European Commission (Directorate-General Information Society and Media -
DG INFSO) and the African Union Commission ( AUC) with the support of the EuroAfriCa-ICT EU/FP7 project, funded under the EU's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). The conference programme featured the work of many speakers and chairpersons, addressing different related topics (“Africa-EU cooperation on ICT”, “EU-AU partnerships”, “EU, AUC and ACP programmes”, “private and public partnerships”, “African participation in FP7”, “e-Infrastructures”, technology roadblocks and socio-economic goals and applications, etc.) and including a rich mix of themes, topics and a variety of session formats. The Forum will bring together sub-Saharan African and European policy-makers with ICT research organisations for an interactive and a participative event with the following objectives: 1. Reflect on progress made and lessons learnt on ICT research and development in Africa and its contribution through partnerships to economic growth, improved quality of life and efficient service delivery, 2. Gain insight on the status and perspectives of the 8th Partnership (“African-EU Partnership for Science, Information Society and Space”) and support its action plan, 3. Learn more about the status and perspectives of the EC/AUC/ACP Programmes, 4. Enhance the development of Euro-Africa collaborative ICT research projects and identify potential partners, 5. Highlight the range and excellence of ICT research in Africa and in Europe, 6. Allow participative and interactive working sessions on ICT research and development through high-level visionary panel debates and interactive thematic sessions, 7. Network with key stakeholders in the field (private and public bodies), 8. Hear about opportunities to enhance African participation in FP7, and finally 9. Get detailed information on successful EU-African FP7 cooperation projects and EU-African PPP (Public-Private Partnerships). The event will include plenary sessions with world-class experts, smaller presentation and special focus sessions, practical demonstrations and debates on specific topics, as well as various informal networking opportunities where delegates share their experiences, ideas, new information and perspectives. More information coming soon.
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29 April 2009
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The ict@innovation is organising a series of trainings on building a business on Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) in Eastern and Southern Africa. Individuals and institutions from those regions are invited to apply. The trainings will cover topics ranging from FOSS basics to business skills, and will enable participants to work on their own as trainers on the subject, or to incorporate the training's content into the curricula of their institutions. The deadline for applications is May 30, 2009. Trainings are free of charge beyond a minimal registration fee. Trainings will take place from July to October 2009. They will be organised by a partnership of FOSSFA and InWEnt, and carried out by AITI-KACE and UNU-MERIT. |
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1 April 2009
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The FP7 Call 4 for Proposals (ICT theme) closed today at 5:00 pm. The next Call (ICT Call 5) will be published in a few months from now (opening on July 31, 2009 with November 3, 2009 as a deadline). It is however already timely to work on potential EU-African cooperation projects on ICT research to be presented at this coming Call for Proposals. Interested organisations have to notice that not the whole pool of ICT research areas is addressed by this Call. For further information on ICT Call 5 and on the ICT Work Programme for 2009, please visit the European Commission's website. |
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26 March 2009
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The “1st Euro-Africa Cooperation Forum on ICT Research” has been a great success. On March 24-25, over 320 participants from some 50 different countries - including both policy-makers and ICT researchers in the public and private sectors - met in Brussels (Belgium) to highlight the key issues that currently hamper the full deployment of ICTs in Africa and see how Europeans and Africans can collectively maximise their impact in bringing concrete responses to African needs, support the development of a truly inclusive Information Society on the continent, and enhance the development of Euro-Africa collaborative projects. The two-day event was organised by the European Commission (Directorate-General Information Society and Media - DG INFSO) with the support of the African Union Commission ( AUC) and the EuroAfriCa-ICT EU/FP7 project, funded under the EU's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). The meeting was opened by Ms Viviane Reding (European Commissioner for DG INFSO) firstly through a video message (Ms Reding had to participate in a last minute Parliament session) and then through a member of her Cabinet: Mr Jan Ostraja-Ostraszewski. Ms Reding highlighted that Europe has a lot of experience and best practice to share and the EC is committed to support African institutions on the necessary policies and programmes needed to set-up and implement. “We are pursuing those objectives through two complementary Africa-EU Partnerships: the Partnership on Infrastructures, for supporting the rolling-out of trans-national physical backbones, and the Partnership on Science, Information Society and Space “the so-called 8th Partnership” for supporting complementary S&T and ICT capacities”, said Ms Reding and Mr Ostraja-Ostraszewski. "We look forward to working with all of you, in Africa and the EU, on ICT policy and research," added Commissioner Reding. "There are already tangible results of EU policy in research cooperation," complemented Jan Ostraja-Ostraszewski. "For example, there have already been more projects supported under the first call of FP7 than under the whole duration of FP6." Ms Vera Brenda Ngosi (Director, Directorate of Human Resources, Science and Technology, African Union Commission) thanked the EC for its determination to assist Africa adding that the Forum provided "an excellent opportunity for addressing mutual concerns and partnerships. We are opening a new chapter, and Africans are ready to work shoulder to shoulder with our European partners," she added. "ICTs in all forms are key to people-centred development," said Abdul Waheed Khan ( UNESCO's Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information) "and UNESCO stands ready to play a catalytic role with the organisations present here at this Forum". The situation in Africa was put into context by Ms Sally Kosgei (Kenya's Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education) when she said: "Africa has a roadmap for development, but we have only taken the first step. We need to take a thousand more steps, otherwise we will be left behind. We have received some bilateral support from some EU countries and some support from the African Development Bank, but there is a need for proper coordination and to assess where we are”. Among the discussions during the Forum were high-level sessions dedicated to “Africa-EU cooperation on ICT”, “EU-AU partnerships”, “EU, AUC and ACP programmes”, “private and public partnerships” (PPP), “African participation in FP7”, “e-Infrastructures”, technology roadblocks and socio-economic goals and applications. In the session on EU, AUC and ACP programmes, Africa's isolation - the 'digital divide' - was highlighted. Summing up in the closing ceremony, Thierry Devars (Policy Officer, International Relations Unit, DG INFSO) concluded that there had been too many pilot projects in Africa, and that now was the time to move them to the commercial models. "This can be done," he said, "by developing partnerships and friendships between the EU and AUC." "The EU-AUC partnership is real," added Vera Brenda Ngosi, "and it is advancing, but it can move forward faster. In the opening panel session, Stefano Manservisi (Director-General, Directorate General Development -
DG DEV
- European Commission) noted that he was pleased, when looking out at the high level of participation at the Cooperation Forum. “Five years ago, this was not possible,” he said, referring to the fact that the seeds of political will in Europe to assist Africa had been sown, and that there was at least enough capacity in Africa to be able to nurture these seeds into something viable. As a result of the connections made and opportunities for collaboration discussed during the “1st Euro-Africa Cooperation Forum on ICT Research”, increasing the pace of development in Africa has been given a major boost. It is hoped that, in five years time, cooperative ICT research and development programmes initiated at this Forum have begun to bear fruit. For further information (event report, proceedings, photo gallery, etc.) please click here.
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20 March 2009
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The 12th EuroAfriCa-ICT FP7 Awareness Workshop was held jointly with the Winds/Caribbean Project in Kingston, Jamaica, on March 18-19, 2009 organised by CAS (Caribbean Academy of Sciences) as partner of the EuroAfriCa-ICT Consortium and CARIMAC as partner of Winds/Caribe. The aim of this workshop was to raise awareness on collaboration/funding opportunities offered to Caribbean organisations by the European Commission’s Seventh Framework Programme for research and technological development ( FP7). Being the first workshop of its kind ever organised in the country, the workshop was very well attended and demonstrated a high interest from the audience. The two-day workshop drew over 100 participants from around the region, the USA and Europe, representing universities, ICT private companies, public stakeholders, non-governmental organisations, the European Commission and international and regional organisations dealing with ICT . The workshop included the following components: welcome address, introduction to the EuroAfriCa-ICT Project, opening addresses, introduction to the 7th Research Framework Programme (FP7), presentations (on topics such as Europe-Caribbean and regional cooperation perspectives on ICT research, selected ICT sectors for R&D, how to participate in a project proposal under FP7/ICT, etc.). The opening session was chaired by Professor Tara Dasgupta, President of CAS and Mr Roderick Sanatan, ICT Projects Coordinator, CARIMAC. Welcome greetings were brought by Mr Joseph Pereira, Deputy Principal of the Mona Campus of UWI, Mrs Marcia Forbes, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Mining and Telecommunications, Professor Ishenkumba Kahwa, Dean of the Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, UWI, Dr Dwithin Wilmot, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Education, UWI, Mrs Brigitte Collins, Chief Information Officer, UWI. This was followed by an introduction to the EuroAfriCa-ICT and Winds Projects by Professor Tara Dasgupta on behalf of Sigma Orionis and Professor Fabio Nascimbeni, Director of Menon Network Belgium for Winds/Caribe. This followed a series of 15-20 minute presentations dealing with selected ICT sectors for R&D. The final presentations were related to participation in a project proposal under FP7/ICT and were delivered by Dr Klaus Pendl (Project Officer, European Commission) and two Winds/Caribe representatives. Outputs from this workshop can be found here.
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3 March 2009
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Over 90 delegates participated in the successful 11th EuroAfriCa-ICT FP7 Awareness Workshop held yesterday and today in Kigali, Rwanda. The 2-day workshop was organised by KIST (Kigali Institute of Science and Technology) as partner of the EuroAfriCa-ICT consortium and focal point for the Central African region. The aim of this workshop was to raise awareness on collaboration/funding opportunities offered to African organisations by the European Commission’s Seventh Framework Programme for research and technological development (FP7). Being the first workshop of its kind ever organised in the country, the workshop was very well attended and demonstrated a high interest from the audience. The opening session was kindly chaired by Prof. John Mshana, Vice Rector Academic of KIST and Conference host. Prof. Abraham Atta Ogwu - Rector of KIST - did a very welcome address encouraging attendees to take the opportunity of this unique workshop to learn, discuss and network. To set the scene Santhi Kumaran (Senior Lecturer at KIST and EuroAfriCa-ICT Focal Point for Central Africa) gave to all attendees a very interesting introduction to the EuroAfriCa-ICT initiative; its activities and its possible benefits for the people in the room. Then, Honourable Dr. Daphrose Gahakwa (Minister of Education, Rwanda), Honourable Prof. Romain Murenzi (Minister in President’s Office in charge of Science and Technology, Rwanda), Simon Vanden Broeke (Head of Section Economics & Governance, European Commission Delegation to Rwanda), and Karine Valin (Managing Director of Sigma Orionis and EuroAfriCa-ICT Project Coordinator) officially opened the workshop by emphasizing the great opportunities for collaboration on ICT research among the two regions. Keynote addresses were given by ICT authorities from the considered region covering research capacities, the role of government in fostering ICT research. Some guidelines to answer FP7 Calls for Proposals and a set of successful Euro-African collaborative initiatives addressing Science and Technology were also introduced. The meeting took a turn on day two where participants were invited to participate in the “Birds of a feather” thematic sessions - the idea being to allow participants to engage thematic discussions and consider opportunities for future collaboration under FP7 with European organisations. Need more information? Click here. |
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1 March 2009
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An annual event for developing eLearning capacities in Africa - Meeting the networking needs of the pan-African eLearning and distance education sector, the annual eLearning Africa conference is the key networking venue for practitioners and professionals from Africa and all over the world. eLA is the largest gathering of eLearning and distance education professionals in Africa, enabling participants to develop multinational and cross-industry contacts and partnerships, as well as to enhance their knowledge, expertise and abilities. At eLearning Africa 2008, over 1500 eLearning users, newcomers, providers and experts gathered during the three conference days at the Accra International Conference Centre in Accra, Ghana. Eighty percent of the participants came from African countries. The conference programme featured the work of 315 Speakers and Chairpersons from 54 countries, addressing all forms of technology-enhanced learning and including a rich mix of themes, topics and a variety of session formats. Delegates are high-level policy and decision makers and practitioners from education, business and government - the three key areas driving eLearning adoption and innovation. The conference is held in English and French. It includes plenary sessions with world-class experts, smaller presentation and special focus sessions, practical demonstrations and debates on specific topics, as well as various informal networking opportunities where practitioners share their experiences, ideas, new information and perspectives. An exhibition and demonstration area accompanies the programme, where leading international eLearning manufacturers, suppliers and service providers present their latest products and services. Need more information? Click here. |
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20 February 2009
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TWAS, the academy of sciences for the developing world, and the OIC (Organization of Islamic Conference) Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH) are offering grants to scientists up to the age of 40 working in OIC countries. Deadline for applications is 31 March. Grants of up to US$15,000 are available in the following fields of science and technology: information technology and computer sciences, earth sciences, engineering sciences, materials science including nanotechnology, pharmaceutical sciences and renewable energy. The deadline for receiving applications is 31 August each year. Exceptionally for 2009 only, there is an additional deadline of 31 March 2009 More information. |
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10 February 2009
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Potential stakeholders are invited to contribute to a new study on the viability of interconnecting existing African research and education networking infrastructures and connecting them to the European backbone network, GEANT. The feasibility study (FEAST) team welcomes contact from interested politicians, telecommunications regulators, heads of research and education institutes and other
relevant stakeholders in the region, as well as from European NRENs (National and Regional Education Networks) wishing to support the initiative. The ten-month study will run until October 2009. The European Commission (EC) has awarded a contract to the Swedish Royal Institute of Technology, KTH, and its supporting partners TERENA and DANTE to carry out the
project. Several European NRENs have pledged their support to the project, as has the Italy-based International
Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP). Press Release l More information |
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6 February 2009
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With regards to the ongoing Call for Proposals of the ACP Science and Technology Programme, the ACP Secretariat is happy to announce that a postponement of the submission deadline has been agreed upon. This means that any proposal can be submitted until 13 March 2009. Any questions on the Call and request for clarifications from the ACP Secretariat can be sent to info@acp-st.eu until 20 February 2009, which is 21 days before the submission deadline. The ACP Science and Technology Programme aims at facilitating the creation or strengthening of frameworks for regional and sub-regional co-operation and of inter-institutional co-operation in the ACP region in the field of science and technology. This Call for Proposals is open to all 79 countries of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP), the 27 EU Member States, the 3 EU Candidate countries, and the 3 European Economic Area - European Free Trade Association (EEA EFTA) States. More information. |
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5 February 2009
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Hosted by the Government of the Republic of Uganda through the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), supported by the European Commission and technical Co-Sponsored by IEEE, IST-Africa 2009 will take place on the shores of Lake Victoria at Speke Resort & Conference Centre, Munyonyo, Kampala, on May 6-8, 2009. Part of the IST-Africa Initiative, which is supported by the European Commission under the ICT Theme of Framework Programme 7 (FP7), IST-Africa 2009 is the fourth in an annual conference series which brings together senior representatives from leading commercial, government & research organisations across Africa and from Europe, to bridge the digital divide by sharing knowledge, experience, lessons learnt and good practice and discussing policy related issues. IST-Africa 2009 focuses on the role of ICT for Africa's development and specifically on applied ICT research topics in the areas of eHealth, technology enhanced learning and ICT skills, open source software, ICT for inclusion, eInfrastructures, ICT for environmental risk management, ICT for networked enterprise and eGovernment and eDemocracy. In the context of focusing on the role of ICT for Africa's development, the opening plenary features a high level dialogue on implementation of the “Africa-EU Partnership on Science, Information Society and Space”. The closing plenary focuses on initiatives supporting development of regional S&T. For further information please click here. |
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23 January 2009
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The call for papers for the 6th edition of the Health Informatics in Africa conference 2009 (HELINA 2009) that will take place on 16-18 April 2009 in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire is now open. HELINA is the African regional conference of International Medical
Informatics Association (IMIA). The theme of the conference is "Information and Communications Technology in Health Information Systems of African Countries". Deadline for submission of papers is 15 February 2009. To submit a paper and to attend HELINA 2009 follow this link. More information on the Conference here. |
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7 January 2009
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TWAS, the academy of sciences of the developing world, Microsoft Research, and the African Academy of Science ( AAS) announce the creation of two new programmes designed to recognize and assist scientists working in Africa in the field of computer science. The TWAS-AAS-Microsoft Award for Young Scientists will recognize young scientists in Africa whose research in computer science promises to have a positive impact in the developing world. Each year, three winners will be selected from different countries on the continent. Scientists who have received their most recent research degree within the past 10 years will be eligible. Each recipient will receive a €7,000 cash award. Nominations may be made by members of national academies and senior academics. Winners will be chosen on the basis of their past achievements. The nomination and selection process will be administered by TWAS in collaboration with AAS. The deadline to apply is 15 May 2009. The first winners of the prize will be announced in 2009.
The award ceremonies will be held in Nairobi, Kenya, and organized by TWAS and AAS. The TWAS-AAS-Microsoft Grant for Scientific Meetings aims to encourage the organization of international and regional scientific conferences and workshops in Africa. Microsoft will provide support in the form of travel grants for some principal speakers from abroad and/or participants from developing countries other than the country in which the event is held. Applicants, who may be of any nationality, must be involved in the organization of international or regional scientific meetings to be held in Africa in the field of computer science. More information. |
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11 December 2008
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The EuroAfriCa-ICT project, coordinated by Sigma Orionis, held a successful 6th information and exchange meeting in Brussels (Belgium) yesterday. Gathering over 50 participants from 13 different countries in Europe and sub-Saharan Africa, this meeting is one of its series addressing S&T Cooperation on ICT between sub-Saharan Africa and Europe. Chaired by Karine Valin (Managing Director of Sigma Orionis and EuroAfriCa-ICT Project Coordinator) the meeting welcomed representatives from three European Commission Directorates-General: Development (DG DEV), Research (DG RTD) and Information Society and Media (DG INFSO) who introduced the recent developments on the relations between Europe and Africa with regard to ICT research. A specific session was also devoted to the implementation of the EU-AU Partnership on Science, ICT and Space that was adopted on December 2007 during the Lisbon 2nd EU-AU Summit. Case examples of existing cooperation projects in the field of ICT research were also introduced during this one-day meeting that eventually convened time for round-table discussions with the main objective to bring support to emerging cooperation projects in the perspective of FP7/ICT Call 4. More information.
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3 December 2008
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This Workshop, hosted by the Ministry of Science and Technology of the Government of Mozambique, is part of the the Digital World Forum project (European Union's 7th Research Framework Programme - FP7) which explores how to take advantage of the new paradigm of low-cost technologies in broadband infrastructure and devices to bridge the digital divide and connect the unconnected. The W3C Workshop on the "Africa Perspective on the Role of Mobile Technologies in Fostering Social Development" aims to understand specific challenges of using mobile phones and Web technologies to deliver services to underprivileged populations of Developing Countries, and to capture the specificities of the African context. More specifically, workshop participants will discuss the barriers for potential content providers (NGO/grassroots, government, entrepreneur, etc.) to develop and deploy services, and the barriers for the targeted population to access these services (issues around illiteracy, internationalization, accessibility, usability, etc.). More information. |
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28 November 2008
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The Secretariat of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP - Secretariat) has just launched the Call for Proposals of the “ACP Science and Technology Programme”. Interested parties are invited to participate. The deadline for submission of project proposals is 27 February 2009 at 16:00 hours (Brussels time). The ACP Science and Technology Programme aims at facilitating the creation or strengthening of frameworks for regional and sub-regional co-operation and of inter-institutional co-operation in the ACP region in the field of science and technology. This Call for Proposals is open to all 79 countries of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP), the 27 EU Member States, the 3 EU Candidate countries, and the 3 European Economic Area - European Free Trade Association (EEA EFTA) States. More information. |
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28 November 2008
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The EuroAfriCa-ICT project benefited from a high visibility at the ICT 2008 EVENT - Europe biggest ICT research event - that took place in Lyon (France) this week (25-27 Nov. 2008). More than 4,500 delegates attended the 2008 edition of the major conference and exhibition organised every two years by the European Commission’s DG Information Society and Media, making Lyon one of the best-attended ICT Events ever. The event presented Europe's priorities for ICT research, development and funding. Leading personalities from the world of ICT looked at how Europe can lead the ICT agenda for the next decade. The EuroAfriCa-ICT project hosted an exhibition booth in the International Village that welcomed a wide range of visitors as well as many questions from European organisations interested in preparing proposals in response to FP7 ICT Calls including partners from sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean. Information on the project was distributed to visitors including on the upcoming Euro-Africa Cooperation Forum co-organised by the European Commission and the African Union Commission to be held on 25-26 March 2009 in Brussels, Belgium. At the initiative of the EuroAfriCa-ICT project, a networking session was also devoted to strategic cooperation opportunities in ICT research with sub-Saharan Africa on 26 November. Chaired by Karine Valin, EuroAfriCa-ICT Project Coordinator, this session welcomed presentations from Roseline Favresse, EuroAfriCa-ICT Project Manager, Thierry Devars, Policy Officer, DG INFSO, European Commission, Daan du Toit, Minister-Counsellor (Science and Technology), South African Mission to the European Union that were followed by regional overviews of ICT research introduced by Idris A. Rai Associate Professor, Makerere University, Uganda & EuroAfriCa-ICT Focal Point for Eastern Africa for Central and Eastern Africa and by Johan Eksteen, Technology Research Programme Manager, the Meraka Institute of CSIR, South Africa & EuroAfriCa-ICT Focal Point for Southern Africa for the Southern African area. This session then welcomed a presentation from the NEM (Networked and Electronic Media) ETP (European Technology Platform) on “How to share a vision and a strategic research agenda with African countries” that was given by Pierre-Yves Danet, Vice Chairman of the NEM ETP. Well attended, this session ended with fruitful and very enriching discussions between European and sub-Saharan African stakeholders. Given its Caribbean component, the EuroAfriCa-ICT project also took part in a networking session addressing “EU-Latin Amercian and Caribbean visions and opportunities for ICT challenges” on 27 November. |
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12 November 2008
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The first WINDS-Caribe Conference will take place in Martinique on the 11th and 12th of December. The event will aim at gathering ICT researchers and research stakeholders from the whole French-speaking Caribbean sub-region, in order to present the possibilities offered by FP7 and to facilitate aggregation and networking of researchers around potential areas of collaboration with Europe. The Conference is organised under the coordination of the WINDS-Caribe local partner, RIVELO, with the support of the Universitè Antille Guyane. More information. |
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3 November 2008
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Given the increasing number of Regional, National and International initiatives addressing the development of EU-Africa S&T Cooperation, the EuroAfriCa-ICT project in its mandate to establish links between initiatives in Europe, sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean addressing ICT research organises quarterly concertation meetings to offer an opportunity to stakeholders to share visions, network and build synergies in ICT Research. The last five meetings (organised since December 2006) have proved successful in fostering partnerships between projects from sub-Saharan, the Caribbean and Europe, information sharing, building networks among researchers. The 6th EuroAfrica-ICT Concertation Meeting organised by the EuroAfriCa-ICT project, with the support of the European Commission's DG Information Media and Society (DG INFSO) through its Seventh Research Framework Programme (FP7) will take place at the European Commission premises in Brussels, Belgium on the 10 December 2008. Envisioned agenda items include key note addresses on roles and visions of ICT research cooperation between Europe, the Caribbean and sub-Saharan Africa, thematic sessions on ICT research for health, infrastructures, sharing perspectives on the way forward in light of the recent EU-AU partnership implementation for Science, Information society and Space as well as introduction and guidelines on the next FP7 Call 4. Registration is free but pre-registration is compulsory. |
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28 October 2008
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Over 90 delegates participated in the 10th EuroAfriCa-ICT FP7 Awareness Workshop that was held at Protea hotel in Kampala, Uganda on 20 & 21 October 2008. The 2-day workshop was organised by Makerere University Faculty of Computing and IT as a key partner on the EuroAfriCa-ICT project. The aim of this workshop was to create awareness on opportunities offered by the European Commission’s Seventh Framework Programme for research and technological development ( FP7) targeting organisations or projects in sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean and Europe. Being the first workshop of its kind to be organised in the country, the Honourable Minister of Education and sports Mrs Geraldine Bitamazire who opened the workshop on behalf of the Prime Minister Hon Apollo Nsibambi stressed that, Investments in ICTs are a key factor in driving innovation in companies, productivity growth, honing competitiveness, cutting red tape and creating jobs and that organizing workshops of this nature creates platforms and networking for key stakeholders to share visions and map the way forward in the ICT field. Mr. Harvey Rouse, head of political and trade section at the European Union delegation to Uganda emphasized the increased interest of the European Commission to work with sub-Saharan Africa in reducing the digital divide and noted the various opportunities for collaboration among the two regions. Key note addresses were given by ICT authorities from the region covering research capacities, role of government in fostering ICT research, guidelines to answer FP7 Calls for proposals and Successful initiatives addressing Science and Technology in sub-Saharan Africa were also introduced. The meeting took a turn on day two where participants were invited to participate in the “ Birds of a feather” thematic sessions of which the idea is to allow participants to engage in discussions following different thematic topics and consider possibilities or potential for future collaboration under FP7 with European organisations. The meeting was then closed with remarks from the project coordinator of the EuroAfriCa-ICT project and Managing Director of Sigma Orionis Ms Karine Valin and the Dean of Makerere University faculty of Computing and IT, Prof Venansius Baryamureeba. Outputs from this workshop can be found here |
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8 October 2008
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On the 24 September 2008, the European Commission called on governments to jointly develop a strategy for international cooperation in science and technology. It proposed a strategic framework for jointly strengthening science and technology cooperation with non-EU countries, notably in the field of Information and Communication Technologies where Europe is a strong exporter. The Commission's objective is to contribute to sustainable development worldwide while at the same time improving Europe’s competitiveness in science and technology. The Commission invites Member States to define together, rather than in isolation, priority research and technology areas where a coherent EU effort would have more impact. |
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8 October 2008
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The launch of the Blue Gene for
Africa (BG4A) initiative at the Centre for High Performance Computing
( CHPC) in Cape Town on 7 October 2008 marks a significant milestone in South Africa’s expanding cyberinfrastructure .The donation of the supercomputer by IBM (NYSE: IBM) follows an extensive series of meetings in 2007 on economic development opportunities in Africa convened by IBM as part of its Global Innovation Outlook. IBM has held eight Global Innovation Outlook (GIO) events for Africa in countries including Kenya, Senegal, Beijing, the US and France. The donation is part of a USD 120 million investment in sub-Saharan Africa announced by IBM in December 2007. The BG4A is hosted by the CHPC, an initiative funded by the Department of Science and Technology, and managed by the Meraka Institute of the CSIR. The Blue Gene®/P system is capable of 14 trillion individual calculations per second, and is five times more powerful than the fastest research computer currently on the African continent, the Blue Gene/L in Egypt. This donation has given impetus to the Blue Gene for Africa initiative, which has three interlinking thrusts: infrastructure; promoting collaborative science (through flagships) with a major impact on the African continent; and human capital development (HCD) - building of high-end computing capacity in Africa.
Potential projects which could benefit from this initiative are
environmental simulations (water management, climate and atmospheric
simulations), plant genomics and agricultural modelling, energy,
information analytics and complex systems modelling (such as business
systems, risk management, financial models, transportation management and health).
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2 October 2008
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On 1st October 2008, during the European Union (EU) - African Union (AU) College-to-College Meeting (see attachments), EU Commissioners for Science and Research (Dr Janez Potocnik), for Information Society and Media (Ms Viviane Reding), for Enterprise and Industry (Mr Günter Verheugen), and for Development (Mr Louis Michel), agreed with AU Commissioner for Human resources, Science and Technology (Dr Jean-Pierre Onvehoun Ezin), that a book of 19 "lighthouse projects" should serve as the framework for implementing the EU/AU Partnership on Science, ICT and Space and its Action plan (called the 8th Partnership). In a Joint Statement on Implementation of the “EU-AU Partnership for Science, Information Society and Space", the Commissioners stress the need to strengthen African capacities in the area of science and technology, including ICT, and infrastructures in order that Africa can produce and use its own knowledge and services and to develop a sound S&T and ICT policy. The 19 “lighthouse projects” have been identified and designed by the African Union Commission (AUC) to respond to African needs. They will help to build the continent’s capacities to harness, apply and develop S&T in order to eradicate poverty, fight diseases, reduce the digital divide, stem environmental degradation, and improve economic competitiveness. The Commissioners agreed that 6 of the 19 lighthouse projects are 'early deliverables' and will receive immediate attention. Among them, 2 ICT initiatives are ready for early implementation: Africa Connect and The African Internet Exchange System (AXIS). |
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30 September 2008
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The Southern African NGO Network ( SANGONeT) and MobileActive.org will host the MobileActive08 Summit from 13-15 October 2008 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The event will focus on "Unlocking the Potential of Mobile Technology for Social Impact". MobileActive08 will convene civil society, development and technology practitioners interested in the use and application of mobile technology in support of social impact. Participants will explore how mobile phones are used to advance civil society and development work, assess the current state of knowledge in the use and effectiveness of mobile technology to advance social action, and investigate trends, needs and investment opportunities. Specific attention will be given to the role of mobile technology in health, human rights, economic development, advocacy, citizen journalism and democratic participation. More information. |
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29 September 2008
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The University of the Western Cape ( UWC) and the African Virtual Open Initiatives and Resources ( AVOIR) project have released version 1.0.1 of the Chisimba/KEWL3 Realtime Virtual Classroom. Avoir is a collaboration of 13 African universities specialising in creating free software relevant to African users. The virtual classroom application allows presentations to be uploaded in PowerPoint or OpenOffice format and made available online as well as embedded in websites or blogged.
The Realtime Tools allow the presentation to be picked up and given live on the site, in a realtime virtual classroom setting. The developer on this project is David Wafula, a masters student at UWC and a staff member of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology and a member of the AVOIR unit there.
“Most notable in this release,” says Wafula, “is the improved easy-to-use interface, which runs in its own window as opposed to using embedded applet used in version 1.0.0.”
The latest release allows presenters to share desktop applications in real time with other participants. Importing presentations into the the application is a one-click operation. The virtual classroom software also allows users to import graphics as well as transfer multiple documents.
Downloadable versions of the software will be available in Debian, RPM, Java and Windows executable formats. The Debian version is currently available. Users can test drive the software online on the demo site.
AVOIR project leader, Derek Keats of UWC, says that this is the first application of its kind in the world that is free software. “It demonstrates the remarkable, world class talent that we have in Africa and what can be achieved when we collaborate to accomplish something.”
(Source: Tectonic) |
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23 September 2008
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eChallenges (e2008), scheduled to take place on 22-24 October 2008 in Stockholm, Sweden, is the 18th in a series of Annual Conferences supported by the European Commission, which regularly attracts delegates from leading commercial, government and research organisations around the world to share knowledge and experience, lessons learnt and good practice in the areas of ICT for Networked Enterprise & RFID, eGovernment & eDemocracy, eHealth, Collaborative Working Environments, Technology Enhanced Learning and ICT Skills, Knowledge and Content Technologies, Security and Identity Management, GRID and Mobility. The goal of e-2008 is to stimulate rapid take-up of Research and Technology Development (RTD) results by industry and in particular SMEs, and help open up the European Research Area (ERA) to the rest of the world. e-2008 features a series of special tutorials presented by the European Commission officials on participation in the Seventh Framework Programme ( FP7), focused on Software and Services: Current Status and Future Research Directions and Living Labs and FIRE (Future Internet Research and Experimentation). A specific workshop will also focus on the Ambient Assisted Living Joint Programme, presenting an overview of the Experiences from the 1st Call and a preview of the 2nd Call. |
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8 September 2008
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The Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) has started the roll-out of highly specialised professional training programmes for 2008-2009. These programmes include highly specialised workshops and seminars aimed at over 1,000 professionals predominantly from ICT operators, regulatory agencies and governments in developing countries. Professional training constitutes a core part of CTO’s activities. Following the successful delivery of more than 30 similar programmes between June 2007 and March 2008, the Organisation plans to almost double its activities in this field with the delivery of 50 or more workshops and seminars by March 2009. The CTO’s training programmes cover a variety of subjects in policy development, regulation, technology and telecoms management. Policy development, technologies and business solutions for rural access and growth will represent a significant part of these programmes. Included in the CTO training programmes will be workshops and seminars aimed at strengthening policy development and implementation in Commonwealth member countries by focusing on topics such as policy and regulatory harmonisation, e-governance, Next generational networking (NGN), wireless connectivity, digital broadcasting and strategies for local content development. However, CTO training programmes go beyond core telecoms subjects to address such issues as digital broadcasting including public awareness campaign execution. For more information please contact Nomita Das. |
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5 September 2008
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A European research and innovation strategy for ICT: time horizon 2020:
In search of the best strategies to boost Europe's leadership in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) research and innovation in the next decade, the European Commission has launched a public consultation. Contributions from industry, ICT experts, policy-makers and the wider public will be fed into a new strategy for ICT research and innovation, to be unveiled next year. The aim is to put European ICT industry, especially SMEs, to the fore of the race for global competitiveness. The public consultation is open until 7 November 2008. More information |
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5 September 2008
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The South African Mission to the European Union is organising a breakfast seminar on the theme “Public-Private Partnerships for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Research and Innovation in South Africa”. The seminar will also introduce the SAP Meraka Unit for Technology Development ( UTD) as a highly successful example of an ICT research partnership between the South African Government and a major multinational company. Established in 2006 as a joint initiative between SAP Research and the South African CSIR's Meraka ( African Advanced Institute for ICT), with support from the Department of Science and Technology ( DST), the UTD has as objective to undertake ICT research, in support of small and medium enterprise development and to contribute to South Africa's ICT human capital. The objective of the seminar will be to present South Africa and the SAP Meraka UTD specifically, as an ICT research and innovation partner for Europe, and also within the context of the ICT activities of the EU Seventh Framework Programme for Research ( FP7). This event is to be held Thursday 11 September 2008, by invitation only.
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21 August 2008
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With the support of the National Science Foundation ( NSF), the National Aeronautic and Space Administration ( NASA) and the Louisiana Board of Regents, the ICT Africa 2008 conference scheduled to take place on 19-21 December 2008 in Yaounde, Cameroon, invites interested participants to submit a call for papers, deadline 1 October 2008. ICT Africa 2008 creates a forum where participants can disseminate their research on the transfer, diffusion, and adoption of ICT within the context of Africa; the innovation and development of ICT solutions for and within this context; impacts of ICT on society and of society on ICT; and other relevant normative, empirical and theoretical concerns of ICT development, implementation, strategy, management and policy that are distinctive to Africa and associated developing economies. More information regarding guidelines and submission.
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21 August 2008
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The Economic Commission for Africa ( ECA) and the Canadian fund for Africa are pleased to announce the Technology in Government in Africa (TIGA) Awards. Technology in Government in Africa (TIGA) Awards aim to recognise the work of African Governments in the effective use of ICTs for public services delivery as part of ECA’s African Information Society Initiative ( AISI) and Canada’s ICTs for development programme. The Awards are aimed at African Governments and institutions based in Africa that are engaged in initiating, developing, and implementing ICTs for public services in Africa contributing to the development of the Information Society in Africa. Deadline for applications is 31 December 2008. More information |
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20 August 2008
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eLearning Africa 2009 will host its 4th international conference on ICT for development on the 27-29 May 2009 in Dakar, Senegal. eLearning Africa 2009 will build upon the outcomes from the past three conferences whose major goal has been to bring people together who are actively engaged in education and implementation of learning technologies in schools, universities, corporate training as well as in education in the public sector. These conferences are organised to develop eLearning capacities in Africa by bringing together people involved in all aspects of technology-enhanced education and training in Africa, including management and policymaking. |
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29 July 2008
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Omatek computers limited, one of the first factories to assemble computer hardware and systems in Africa recently listed on the stock market, after 15 years in operation. Part of Omatek’s visions for listing in the stock exchange, was to ensure that it gets increased supply of the materials it needed from the manufacturers, in order to continue its activities on a big scale. At a recent press conference in Lagos, Mrs Florence Seriki, Omatek Managing Director, said that this was not the first time her company was scoring first in the pursuit of attracting fame to the sector. She said "Our computer factories in Ghana and Nigeria, which are the first in Africa have presented us with enormous opportunities, making us the first in the continent to locally produce computer casings and speakers from Completely Knocked Down process (CKD), locally produced home entertainment speakers and plasma and flat screens from Semi-Knocked Down (SKD) process.
"We are also the first in Africa to buy directly CKD process parts from front-line producers across the world, and the first in the continent to win Microsoft Systems Builder Award 2005 for Central, West and East Africa." According to her, assembling completely knocked down process parts from front-line computer software manufacturers across the world, has helped in promoting technology transfer, research and development and other technical know-how in the country, as well as it has helped to keeping experts updated about new technological developments in the ICT industry. |
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28 July 2008
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The International journal of computing and ICT research (IJCIR) is inviting authors to submit their original and unpublished work that communicates current research on e-Governance, both the theoretic and policy aspects. This work will feed into its 2009 volume IJCIR, is a biannual publication by Makerere University a partner on the EuroAfriCa-ICT project. The journal publishes papers in computer science, computer engineering, software engineering, information systems, data communication and computer networks, ICT for sustainable development and other related areas in science and technology, business or commerce. For more information Please visit |
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28 July 2008
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The Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), a partner on the EuroAfrica-ICT project, will host its first Regional Conference on Scientific Research, Development and Innovations (SREDI2008) in Kigali, Rwanda on 10-12 December 2008. The main objective of this conference is to bring together researchers and practitioners in scientific research to explore new technologies and innovations as well as share research and development opportunities within the region and beyond. Key themes that will be tackled at the conference include; Innovations and Appropriate Technology Transfer; Conservation, Sustainability and Biodiversity; Securing and Sustaining Energy and Water Resource Base; Engineering Materials; Design, Manufacture and Maintenance Engineering; ICT Research; Science & Technology for Development; Mathematics for Environment and Ecology; Aspects of Biotechnology and Microbial Properties in Public Health Problems. Registration is subject to a fee payment based on following criteria: Paper presenters: USD 150, Exhibitors: USD 250, Visitors: USD 150, Students: USD 50. With the exception of exhibitors, the participation fees will cover conference materials, proceedings, lunch, refreshments and cocktail. More information |
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21 July 2008
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EuroAfriCa-ICT project’s forthcoming 1st Cooperation Summit “Supporting Cooperation on ICT Research between Africa / the Caribbean & Europe” scheduled for 27 & 28 November 2008 in Lyon, France is postponed to early 2009 and will take place in Brussels, Belgium. In light of the tremendous interest of the European, African and Caribbean ICT communities (5 months prior to the event, more than 160 pre-registrations had been received although only 200 seats were available) and the growing interest and likely strong involvement of European, African and Caribbean institutions, the Summit Organisation Committee and the European Commission have officially rescheduled the 1st EuroAfriCa-ICT Cooperation Summit “Supporting Cooperation on ICT Research between Africa/Caribbean & Europe”.
The new date and location will significantly increase the visibility and impact of the Summit as the event is likely to be held in EC premises that can accommodate more than 300 participants. The Summit organisers apologise for any inconvenience caused to all sponsoring organisations, registered participants and potential attendees and will keep you closely informed about the outputs of the ongoing discussions with the European and the African Union Commissions.
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15 July 2008
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Makerere University (Kampala, Uganda), a partner on the EuroAfrica-ICT project, is organising an international forum for researchers and practitioners in computer science, software engineering, information systems, information technology, computer engineering, data communications and computer networks and ICT for sustainable development. The conference will bring together the world’s most respected authorities in the above disciplines and is scheduled to take place on 3-6 August 2008 in Kampala, Uganda. Additional details regarding thematic presentations and speakers can be found here |
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28 June 2008
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Over 50 high profile participants representing both European and African countries attended the 5th EuroAfrica-ICT concertation meeting held this week in Brussels. Participation included key stakeholders from private sector, academia, research organisations, NGOs, European Technology Platforms ( ETPs) and Joint Technology Initiatives ( JTIs). The one day meeting was moderated by Thierry Devars from the European Commission DG INFSO and Karine Valin from Orionis, with a special focus on “Science and Technology partnerships:The private sector’s capacity”. Khalil Rouhana from the European Commission started off the meeting with a presentation on the FP7. This was followed by keynote addresses presented by Daniel Annerose Manobi, a mobile and internet services operator in Senegal, Susie Hendrix of GSM Association based in United Kingdom and Paulo Nordeste from Portugal Telecom, ranging from innovations, research and development initiatives that have been carried out by European organisations with a focus on Africa. The ETPs NEM and ISI were introduced by Julian Sesena board member and vice-chairperson respectively. The first achievements of the Seventh Framework Programme ( FP7) were highlighted under the FlossInclude project by Rishab Ghosh and Stéphane Boyera from the Digital World Forum and these generated fruitful feedback and dialogue on FP7. The IRMA project, presentation made by Guy Weets, underscored the need for African countries to integrate disaster risk reduction policies in their development and crisis management agendas. Andrew cherry from the Association of Commonwealth universities, a partner on the EuroAfriCa-ICT project, introduced the CAAST-net project that aims at increasing the quality and quantity of bi-regional (Europe and Africa) cooperation in science and technology. The meeting also gave the opportunity to participants to get detailed information on a call for proposals under the @CP-ICT programme of the African Caribbean and Pacific states ( ACP) secretariat that was presented by John Fred Kakule. Participants were informed that it carried a budget of 20 million euros funded by the European development fund ( EDF)
It has been reminded that the FP7/ICT Work Programme focusing on main European research priorities is open to third countries participation and that African countries can share interest with regard to ICT research applications. This can been exemplified by ICT4health where new technologies are of interest to both European and African governments. A New area that was sited for intervention is the ageing society that should be able to live independently in its preferred environment with the support of ICTs.
All in all the meeting yielded fruitful feedback in the area of future FP7 calls, collaborations with various organisations and initiatives in the area of ICT research. For more information regarding presentations and list of attendees, Please visit |
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20 June 2008
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Mutual benefits can be derived through collaboration in the information and communications technology (ICT) domains between European countries and African and Caribbean countries. This was one of the messages shared during the EuroAfrica-ICT FP7 Awareness Workshop, which took place in Tshwane (Pretoria) on 17 & 18 June 2008. Organised by the Meraka Institute of the CSIR, a EuroAfriCa-ICT project partner, the workshop focused on opportunities for accessing the European Union-funding within the 7th Research Framework Programme ( FP7) for Research and Technological Development for ICT. The event was attended by some 75 delegates from South Africa, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Namibia, Mozambique, Kenya, Jamaica, Italy, Ghana and France representing academia, industry and government. Johan Eksteen, the National Contact Point for FP7/ICT introduced to delegates the FP7 and ICT whose work programme contains a roadmap for calls for research proposals. He stressed that “The quality of proposal preparation and timing are important factors in this extremely competitive process.” Presentations on research capacity and challenges in sub-Saharan Africa as well as an outline of successes achieved were made. “It is heartening that the number of proposals submitted from sub-Saharan Africa continues to grow as more countries become familiar with FP7 requirements,” commented Karine Valin, Managing Director of Orionis and EuroAfrica-ICT Project Coordinator. The two day event covered key note presentations, thematic group discussions ranging on topics such as e-Health, ICT for development, e-Governance, ICT infrastructure, e-Agriculture, ICT for education and Policy & Regulation and laboratory visits to the Meraka Institute ( Digital Doorway project, Singazenzela project). All research projects are aimed at interventions to improve the quality of life of South Africans by including them in the information society.
The next EuroAfriCa-ICT FP7 Awareness Workshop is to be organised in Kampala, Uganda, on 20 & 21 October 2008. More information
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9 June 2008
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The EuroAfriCa-ICT project will organise its 5th Concertation meeting on June 26 in Brussels, Belgium with a special focus on :“Building S&T partnerships: The Private Sector’s capacity”. Concertation meetings are one of the key activities developed by the EuroAfriCa-ICT project to boost Science and technology cooperation between Sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean and Europe in the ICT field. All interested persons should register online at no cost by June 15 2008.( Online Registration). |
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21 May 2008
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The ITU Telecom Africa 2008 conference and exhibition that was inaugurated by President Hosin Mubarak of Egypt, was held in Cairo from 12 to 15 May. The event attracted a high participation of key delegates who represented all sectors of the ICT industry like communications, networking, Internet, mobile, e-Commerce, satellite, broadband, voice and video. The four day event was highlighted by an exhibition from manufacturers, service providers, academia among others with a focus on innovation, latest technologies and new infrastructure solutions being used across the African region. At the exhibition, the “ITU Global View”, an interactive map-based tracking tool developed in coordination with Microsoft and IDV solutions was launched. The software integrates existing ITU data sources allowing users to check the status, identify gaps and avoid overlaps in collaborative ICT-for-development programmes around the world. ITU Global View is designed to help implement the connectivity goals of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS).
A highly engaging forum with sessions covering public-private partnerships, entrepreneurial success stories, capacity building and cyber security with over 150 speakers participating, as well as a youth forum and telecom development symposium were among the events. The aim was to explore and exchange views from different perspectives on opportunities and means to overcome any existing regulatory and infrastructural obstacles in the way of rolling-out broadband services in all parts of Africa. One of the key achievements from this summit was, the African Union and Microsoft signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that seeks to catalyse the development of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in Africa. The major components of the MoU included ICT capacity building and enhancing technology access specially targeted towards the youth and rural populations. This partnership will build upon work already in place including support for the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) e-schools and e-parliament programs, existing Microsoft Innovation Centres, and a network of over 1,000 Community Technology Centres. The summit attracted 191 exhibitors from 37 countries and more than 6000 participants. |
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20 May 2008
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2008 heralds the 10th anniversary of the African ICT Achievers Programme. This programme is endorsed by the New partnership for Africa’s Development ( NEPAD) under the auspice of ForgeAhead Research and Consulting house 2008 promises to be a special year dedicated to a celebration of 10 years of African Excellence. This Year’s nominations for people who have done outstanding work in ICTs are now open. Africans across the continent are thus invited to nominate those individuals and organisations whom they believe are worthy of recognition for their achievements through the use of ICT. All nominations are accepted as long as they are complete and are nominated in the correct categories ( 14 categories have been defined). Since its inception in 1998, the African ICT Achievers Programme has built a strong foundation of recognition and reward for those ICT individuals and organisations who have made a difference to the ICT industry in Africa. The closing date for submission of nominations is 13 June 2008. Nominations can be made through the online form. |
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18 May 2008
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A call for proposals of 9,5 million euros has been opened under the 'ACP-Information and Communication Technologies [@CP-ICT] Programme'. The European Commission recently took the decision to finance the @CP-ICT Programme with a 20 million euros allocation from the European Development Fund ( EDF). The Call for proposals is a major component of the programme that will be managed by the Secretariat of the African, Caribbean and Pacific group of states ( ACP). The overall objective of this call is to help ACP governments and institutions to design, implement, monitor and evaluate their ICT national, regional and continental policies towards sustainable development, by providing high-quality, globally-benchmarked but locally-relevant policy advice, training and related capacity. Non-profit institutions from member states countries of the European Union and from the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of states (ACP group), as well as international organisations are eligible to apply. Deadline for submission of proposals is 16 September 2008. More information ( EN l FR). |
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15 May 2008
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The Makerere University Faculty of Computing and Information Technology (CIT), a partner of the EuroAfriCa-ICT project, is the main computing and ICT training, research and consultancy centre in Eastern Africa. The faculty has attained a reputable status on the African continent with its achievements attained because of its commitment to delivering excellent services in the area of ICT education. With competent, qualified and motivated staff, high enrolment rates of students, the support from partners in the North and the growing number of collaborations with leading Universities and organizations in the world has led it to be recognised as the fastest growing computing faculty on the continent. It is believed that by the end of 2008, Uganda will have the highest ICT human capital index in Africa. CIT is also involved in a wide range of projects, partnerships and collaborations with the public and private sector (at both national and international levels). These projects include training and capacity building, scientific research, community outreach, and policy advice on a wide range of computing and ICT issues. As Uganda moves towards ICT-led socio-economic development, CIT has committed to contributing to the realization of this approach to development. For More information please visit CIT website. |
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14 May 2008
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Three representatives of the EuroAfriCa-ICT project ( Orionis), The Association of Commonwealth Universities - ACU, the Meraka Institute of CSIR) took part in the IST-Africa 2008 conference held last week in Windhoek, Namibia (7-9 May). The IST-Africa initiative which is supported by the European Commission held its third conference in an Annual Conference Series bringing together delegates from commercial, government & research organisations from across Africa and Europe, to bridge the Digital Divide by sharing knowledge, experience, lessons learnt and good practice. IST-Africa 2008 focused on applied ICT research topics addressing major societal and economic challenges. The programme combined strategic keynote presentations, technical and policy papers, case studies, workshops as well as an exhibition showcasing research results and applications through technology demonstrations, funded commercially or at national, regional or European level. The EuroAfriCa-ICT project was presented within a specific workshop session held on 9 May addressing 'Challenges and opportunities for African-European ICT partnerships in FP7'. Presentations on EuroAfriCa-ICT project raised various questions from European and African attendees on the scope of the project, the 1st EuroAfriCa-ICT project to be held on 27 & 28 November (Lyon, France) as well as on the opportunities to take part in the EuroAfriCa-ICT activities. |
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5 April 2008
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For the first time, African, Caribbean and European scientists and policy-makers in the field of Information and Communication Technologies are being brought together in Europe. Funded under the EU's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7), the first ICT Summit between Europe and Africa aims to expand the dialogue between the European and African ICT research communities and the authorities of both regions.
To achieve this, the two-day summit will include:
- high-level presentations from relevant European and African political authorities;
- research and development awareness-raising sessions;
- round-table discussions; and
- opportunities for networking and identifying new partners.
In particular, opportunities for collaborative research in ICT under Call 4 within FP7, which will be announced in November 2008, will be highlighted.Some 200 delegates are expected to attend, including ICT experts from Europe, sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean, policy- and decision-makers, heads of stakeholder institutions and international organizations, and high-level representatives from the DG InfSo and other European Commission Directorates General.
A Second EU-AfriCa ICT Summit will take place in sub-Saharan Africa in November 2009.The First EU-AfriCa ICT Summit is being organized under the EuroAfriCa-ICT project, funded by the EC's DG Information Society and media under FP7.
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22 February 2008
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The 7th European Union funding programme for Research and Technological Development and the modalities for participation were introduced to Nigerian stakeholders involved in R&D in the ICT field, on February 20 & 21 on the occasion of the 7th Awareness and Exchange workshop, held in the framework of the START/EuroAfrica-ICT initiative, in Lagos, Nigeria. Organised by the Panos Institute West Africa (PIWA) with the collaboration of the Lagos State Government, the event which attracted over 150 attendees was organised with the support of the Center for Information Technologies and Systems (CITS) at the University of Lagos and the National Center for Technology Management (NACETEM), Nigeria. The opening ceremony was marked by welcome speeches delivered by Ibi Ikpoki, Trade and Economics Officer of the Delegation of the European Commission to Nigeria, Prof. Mrs Modupe Ogunlesi, Deputy Vice Chancellor, on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), and the workshop was declared officially open by Dr Femi Hamzat, the Hon. Commissioner for Science and Technology, Lagos State, as Special Guest of Honour, representing Lagos State Governor and partner of the event. Dr Hamzat, in his speech, insisted on scientific research impact on daily life, on the importance of R&D in the ICT sector and in particular on challenges for Nigeria in these domains, and, finally on Lagos State Government commitments regarding ICTs. He welcomed the EuroAfrica-ICT initiative and expressed the hope that Nigeria will attract benefits from this initiative. In his address, Mr Ikpoki reaffirmed the commitment of the European Commission to open its funding programme to third countries including African countries. The representative of the Vice-Chancellor of the UNILAG thanked the START consortium for organizing the event in Nigeria and at the University of Lagos and indicated the willingness of the University to partner with EU initiatives. Following the opening ceremony, substantive discussions around R&D initiatives in the ICT field in Nigeria and West Africa and around partnership opportunities were held. Details information about the FP7 and EuroAfrica-ICT support activities in relation to the funding opportunity were also given to participants who welcomed FP7. The meeting provided an important opportunity to exchange about Nigerian R&D and ICT achievements, opportunities and constraints, to network and to meet key organisations active in this area, including NIGCOMSAT (company in charge of the Nigerian geostationary communication satellite), Lagos State University, Lagos State Polytechnic, Obafemi Awolowo University and the private companies Omatek, Leapsoft, Pinet, etc. A thematic group discussion held the second day helped in identifying more specifically R&D ICT themes of interest to Nigeria with indications of their links to FP7 challenges. The workshop also gave participants a unique occasion to visit Lagos State Government ICT Center (hosting in particular e-government facilities), the new equipped Lagos Digital Village and, the laboratory of the Department of Communication of the University of Lagos. Participants came from Lagos and other states of Nigeria, from all sectors and in particular from Universities, public institutions and private sector. This workshop was really successful and a real 'eye-opener' as indicated by most participants. Collaboration between the various partners went very well, as they were truly engaged and contributed in cohesion, through various manners, to the success of the event. |
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13 February 2008
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The ICT event 2008 will take place in Lyon, France from Nov. 25 to 27. This conference-exhibition, organised by the European Commission's DG Information Society and Media, is the Europe's biggest research event devoted to Information and Communication Technologies. The previous one was held in November 2006 in Helsinki. The 2008 edition, entitled 'I's to the future - Invention, Innovation, Impact', will provide delegates from all over the world (researchers, innovators, engineers, policy and business decision-makers, etc.) with a key opportunity to access and exchange information, and network. Over 4000 participants are expected. Full details can be found on the event web site. |
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5 February 2008
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The 4th EuroAfrica-ICT concertation meeting has been successfully held in Brussels at the Borschette Centre (European Commission premises) on January 31, 2008. This meeting was organised in the framework of the EuroAfrica-ICT concertation mechanism launched in October 2006 (more information on meetings previously held: December 2006, March 2007 and September 2007).
Attended by over 80 representatives of the European and African ICT communities, the meeting was introduced by Mr Peter Zangl (Deputy Director General, DG InfSo, European Commission) who introduced the recent EC developments related to the EU-Africa cooperation in the ICT field, including the EU-Africa strategy adopted at the Lisbon Summit. Mr Zangl reminded that a momentum does exist regarding the EU-Africa partnership but that a strong common commitment is still awaited. He stressed that the EuroAfrica-ICT initiative can usefully contribute to develop an active commitment from EU and African ICT communities.
An important representation from various EC DG (DG InfSo, DG Dev, DG Research) was ensured at this meeting; Mr Jean-Francois Soupizet (Head of the International Relations Unit, DG InfSo) namely welcomed the audience. Keynote speeches were delivered by five African representatives: Santhi Kumaran (Head, Dept. of Computer Engineering & Information Technology, Kigali Institute of Science & Technology (KIST), Rwanda), Johan Eksteen (Manager, Technology Research Programme, The Meraka Institute of CSIR, South Africa), Tara Dasgupta (Professor, Caribbean Academy of Sciences (CAS), Jamaica), Beza Belayneh (Director of ICT4Dev, Development Policy Associates, Botswana) and Venansius Baryamureeba (Dean, Faculty of Computing & IT, Makerere University, Uganda) and two European representatives: Christine Leurquin (Vice-Chairman of the European Technology Platform ISI (Integral Satcom Initiative) and Serge Ferre (Vice-President, Nokia Europe). In the morning, EC representatives introduced the latest development related to EU-Africa cooperation after the Lisbon Summit within DG Dev (Ola Sohlstrom, Policy Officer), DG Research (Fadila Boughanemi, Policy Officer, ACP) and DG InfSo (Thierry Devars, Policy Officer, International Relations Unit). A specific session was also devoted to the FP7 ICT Work Programme and its ongoing revision and was led by Eric Badique (Policy Officer, Strategy for ICT research and development, DG InfSo, European Commission). The afternoon presentations mainly addressed Research and Education Networks as well as Grids in Africa and featured presentations from Mario Campolargo (Acting Director, Emerging Technologies and Infrastructures, DG INFSO, European Commission), Boubakar Barry (Coordinator, Research and Education Networking Unit, Association of African Universities, Ghana) and Robert Klapisch (President, Sharing the Knowledge Foundation, France). The one-day meeting closed with a presentation from Roger Torrenti (Project Advisor, EuroAfrica-ICT initiative) who briefly introduced the achievements reached by the EuroAfrica-ICT initiative to date, gave an overview of the project for the coming months. The next EuroAfrica-ICT concertation meeting will be organised in June 2008 (date to be announced) in Brussels. |
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31 January 2008
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African research capacity is to be boosted through a high speed network link connecting the UbuntuNet Alliance to the international research community via the GEANT2 network. The connection between the UbuntuNet Alliance's network hub in London and the GEANT2 network enables researchers and scholars in Sub-Saharan African universities and research institutions to share information and data and to collaborate through a 1 Gbp/s link with their peers in Europe and the rest of the world. The UbuntuNet Alliance was founded in 2005 by the National Research and Education Networks (NRENs) of Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda and South Africa with the aim of establishing a research and education network backbone for Sub-Saharan Africa. Membership of the Alliance now includes also the NRENs of Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia, and is open to all recognised African NRENs. As well as creating links between national research networks it aims to join Africa to the global research community, with this connection to GEANT2 the first step towards this vision. The high capacity connection aims to bridge the digital divide between Africa and the rest of the world, and enable faster collaboration on projects across the globe, irrespective of location. It builds on an existing link between South Africa and Europe, extending the benefits of collaboration to researchers and scholars across sub-Saharan Africa. |
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1 January 2008
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The EuroAfriCa-ICT project, Connecting the European Union and sub-Saharan Africa for ICT partnerships, has officially started today for a period of 24 months. Funded by the Directorate General Information Society and Media (DG InfSo) of the European Commission (EC) in the framework of FP7, it will complement the START project that has been developed under the name of the EuroAfrica-ICT initiative since September 2006.
The main project objective is to identify, promote and support strategic S&T cooperation opportunities on ICT between European and African organisations, and to support policy dialogues between Europe and Africa in this field. The project also aims at strengthening and developing existing initiatives, programmes and projects developed in the field of S&T cooperation between Europe and Africa in ICT, ensuring a wider promotion of cooperation opportunities in Europe, maintaining awareness raising on FP7 and the ICT theme in Africa, pursuing a specific focus on South Africa and initiating a specific action towards the Caribbean. The EuroAfriCa-ICT Consortium consists of Orionis (a division of Sigma Consultants, France) project coordinator; the Association of Commonwealth Universities - through its African unit (ACU), United Kingdom; the Academy of Sciences for the developing world (TWAS), Italy; the French speaking Universitary Agency - Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF), Belgium for the European side and the Meraka Institute of CSIR, South Africa; the Panos Institute West Africa (PIWA), Senegal; the Makerere University, Uganda; the Kigali Institute of Science & Technology (KIST), Rwanda for the African side as well as a Caribbean partner, the Caribbean Academy of Sciences (CAS), Jamaica. For further information on the EuroAfrica-ICT project, please contact us. |
