The aim of this grant is to retain women qualified in science or the engineering sciences and to provide them with a stable launchpad for an academic career. To this end, this grant supports women who are temporarily prevented from getting a contract, but who nevertheless, have a guaranteed prospect of a permanent (UD, UHD, professor) or Tenure Track* research position in science or engineering sciences.

The CERES Cloud Working Group and LaRC Satellite ClOud and Radiative Property retrieval System(SatCORPS) team at NASA Langley work synergistically to produce global datasets of cloud properties and radiation parameters derived from passive visible and infrared sensors on sun-synchronous (e.g. Aqua, Terra, Suomi-NPP, and NOAA-series) and geostationary (e.g. GOES, Meteosat and Himawari) satellites.

A. J. Adedeji, Luka, P. D., Atai, R. B., Olubade, T. A., Hambolu, D. A., Ogunleye, M. A., Muwanika, V. B., and Masembe, C., “First-Time Presence of African Swine Fever Virus Genotype II in Nigeria”, 2021.

Digitally controlled charging solutions represent a fundamental building block of a full and effective shift to electromobility. When scaled to a mass-market-level, current uncontrolled charging (i.e. maximum available power from the moment the vehicle is plugged in) could contribute to creating an extra burden on the power system.

In this topic, sustainability is meant in environmental, social and economic terms.

Plastic (and other) waste, such as packaging, textiles, etc., could potentially represent a sustainable alternative to imported fossil feedstock (e.g. oil, gas). It contains high amounts of carbon, it is widely available and its valorisation could also provide environmental and societal benefits avoiding the disposal in landfills.

Lithium-ion battery cells with conventional active materials are reaching their limits in terms of energy densities. Also, safety issues arise with the utilisation of liquid organic electrolytes which are becoming even more critical with the nearly introduction of advanced materials made to increase cell voltage and fast-charging rates.

The overarching R&I challenges lie in the development of solid-state electrolytes, cathode materials and anode materials enabling higher thermal and electrochemical stability while targeting higher energy/power densities, fast charging, cyclability and improved safety. These new materials should contribute to the control of thermal runaway at an early stage, and create non-propagation designs.

The aims of the Ireland-Africa Fellows Programme are to nurture future African leaders, women and men, to develop in-country capacity to achieve national SDG goals, and to build positive relationships between Ireland and Africa. The programme offers selected students the opportunity to undertake a fully-funded one-year master’s programme at a prestigious higher education institution (HEI) in Ireland.

A. J. Adedeji, Luka, P. D., Atai, R. B., Olubade, T. A., Hambolu, D. A., Ogunleye, M. A., Muwanika, V. B., and Masembe, C., “First-Time Presence of African Swine Fever Virus Genotype II in Nigeria”, vol. 10, 2021.

The 2021 TWAS Fellowships call for applications is open for PhD and PDoc programmes that are offered in the

INVITATION TO THE 1st INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON REIMAGINING THE NATURAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY IN AFRICA (RNPIA – 2021), 5th JULY 2021 TO 7th JULY 2021 webadmin Tue, 06/29/2021 - 08:48 On behalf of the RNPIA-2021 Organizing committee, I have the pleasure to invite you to the 1stInternational Conference On Reimagining The Natural Products Industry In Africa.

RNPIA-2021 is aimed at encouraging transdisciplinarity through knowledge sharing by scholars, practitioners in industry, non-governmental organizations, and policymakers. We envisage mutual learning and joint problem solving to create sustainable solutions for Africa’s Natural Products Industry.

RNPIA-2021 Conference will take place from the 5thto the 7th of July 2021. Due to COVID-19, the event will be 95% virtual.

 You can join in using the zoom link below.

Join Zoom Conference Link
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89916142662?pwd=b3NkaVhKMjBlQUd5MG1BUzArNlJFQT09

Meeting ID: 899 1614 2662
Passcode: 874731

Looking forward to your active engagement.

Call for applications from postgraduates (Hons-PhD) and junior scientists to participate in the Train-Me2 Connect summerschool on earth and aquatic science field methods. The South African component will consider applicants from anywhere in Africa. Deadline for applications is 11 July. Further info here: https://geo.uni-greifswald.de/trainme/

The European Union’s (EU) “African Research Initiative for Scientific Excellence” (ARISE) pilot programme’s call for applications has been launched by the African Academy of Sciences. ARISE promotes science, technology and innovation as critical drivers of development and sustainability. With the strategic guidance of the European Union and the African Union (AU), it aims at boosting and further unlocking Africa’s potential for innovation by supporting the next generation of scientific leaders. The EU is contributing €25 million to the programme.

S. Lukato, Wendt, O. F., Wallenberg, R., Kasozi, G. N., Naziriwo, B., Persson, A., Folkers, L. C., and Tebandekea, E., “Selective oxidation of benzyl alcohols with molecular oxygen as the oxidant using Ag-Cu catalysts supported on polyoxometalates”, Results in Chemistry, vol. 3, p. 100150, 2021.

One hundred years of African swine fever: A tribute toR. Eustace Montgomery webadmin Fri, 06/18/2021 - 14:44

One hundred years ago, the first scientific publication on “a form of swine fever” that occurred in East Africa was published by R. EustaceMontgomery in the Journal of Comparative Pathology and Therapeutics

(Montgomery, 1921). Now known as African swine fever (ASF), this disease has, over the last century, been reported from all five continents and is dreaded by pig industries worldwide

Please find attached for more information 

THE KNOWLEDGE AND INNOVATION EXCHANGE (KIX), A JOINT ENDEAVOUR BETWEEN IDRC AND THE GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP FOR EDUCATION (GPE), IS AN EXCITING NEW WAY TO SUPPORT LOW- AND MIDDLE-INCOME COUNTRIES TO BUILD STRONGER EDUCATION SYSTEMS, THEREBY ACCELERATING PROGRESS TOWARDS ACHIEVING SDG 4. The Global Partnership for Education Knowledge and Innovation Exchange

Transforming Uganda to a middle-income country ought to be a concerted effort webadmin Fri, 06/18/2021 - 14:15

The Government of Uganda set out to transform Uganda into a middle-income country by the year 2020. Whereas this target was not realised, it is not too late to rethink the strategies. 

Of course, the approach in realising the said target is multi-faceted; ranging from boosting agriculture, education, industrialisation to good governance and combating corruption among others.

In this article, I will focus on one area of education to drive my point home; sustainably raising a critical mass of scientists in the country. It is easy to think that this is a role which must be played by the government only, as is always our tendency. However, this thinking is only true in part; all of us have a role to play. I will use the example of the subject Mathematics which I understand most. Mathematics is a prerequisite to many courses at university.

These courses include:  Computer Science, Statistics, Engineering courses, Actuarial Science, Surveying, Architecture, Bachelor of Science (Physical), etc. Even for some courses where it is not a prerequisite, students who enrol to such courses somehow find mathematical content being taught to them. These courses include: Economics, Information Technology, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social sciences, etc.

Going by this only, we can confirm that Mathematics is a very important subject. We also agree that, if it is properly taught right from primary schools, more students will enrol in the science courses mentioned above and this will help in raising the critical mass of scientists the country needs to attain middle-income status.

On the contrary, when you meet an average person on the streets and ask them about Mathematics. Chances are very high that you will get responses such as it is horrible, I get sick when I see numbers, don’t ask me about Mathematics, I hate it and other statements which portray the subject with negativity.

Pupils/students hear similar utterances from their parents, relatives, role models, family members and their friends.  I don’t mean to say that everyone should be good at Mathematics. We are different and certainly gifted differently. But I also know that sometimes these statements have affected the performance of some learners – actually the majority of learners.

To reach this desired national goal, we need concerted effort. Teachers, parents, school administrators, District Education Officers (DEOs), Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs), pupils, students, family members and the entire community; each has a role to play.

Teachers have to teach Mathematics in a way that makes it interesting. They ought to use a language that motivates rather than demotivates, showing learners how relevant Mathematics is in our day to day lives. Use of ICT is instrumental as is the case with other relevant teaching aids.  Teachers of the subject themselves have to be exemplary and a source of inspiration to the learners.

It is in our families that we first learn most of what we know. We subconsciously learn what our parents and relatives say and do while we are we them.  It is not surprising therefore that if children who come from homes where English language is spoken join nursery schools when they are already fluent in the English language. Parents and family members therefore have to mind what they say about Mathematics before their children and relatives. Once children join school when they already think Mathematics is a horrible subject, then teachers cannot do much to help them believe otherwise.

Mathematics is a subject that demands continuity of concepts. It is difficult for one to learn to subtract if they don’t know how to add; dividing can be almost impossible to comprehend when one does not know how to multiply, the list goes on. Ensuring therefore that our children attend school regularly is crucial. You and I know that it is at least not for the government to ensure regular attendance of school for our children. We need as parents to plan and pay school fees in time to avoid disruption of learning. Parents ought to inculcate in their children before and during school some skills, e.g., analytical skills and an inquisitive mind. This can be achieved for instance through certain games and reading some books. 

School administrators ought to provide a conducive environment for teaching and learning. This may involve paying teachers promptly, clean classrooms, avail the required teaching and learning material in time, etc.  The National Curriculum Development Centre needs to ensure that curricular at all levels of learning is revised regularly to meet the current needs of society. Higher institutions of learning also doing their part by training teachers well.

The Government through the Ministry of Education and Sports and through local governments ought to recruit enough teachers; ensuring that there is gender balance as they do so. At the moment, Mathematics teachers are predominantly male, girls do not have enough examples to look up to. Remunerating teachers well so that they don’t quit teaching. To ensure that there are adequate and well facilitated schools. Putting mechanisms in place to have teachers undergo refresher courses so that they are kept up to date with relevant and effective methods of teaching.

If all the above is sustainably done, it will not take too long before Uganda raises the required critical mass of scientists in the areas that were mentioned above. In times like these of COVID19, it can not be so difficult to have a meaningful contribution by Ugandan scientists including manufacturing vaccines by ourselves. At the moment, Uganda is faced with a problem of too few scientists to take care of  all Ugandan needs that lie in their speciality. If one is to start a high tech company that requires to employ many scientists, Uganda may not be the country to have it. Doing so, will imply that one has to employ so many expartriates which is a costly venture. You would rather have the company in a place where employees commute from their homes and are relatively cheaper to maintain.

David Ssevviiri, PhD

Senior Lecturer, Department of Mathematics, Makerere University Source: https://www.newvision.co.ug/articledetails/106177

F. Schultz, “Pharmacological assessment of antiprotozoal activity, cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of medicinal plants used in treatment of malaria in the Greater Mpigi Region in Uganda”, Front. Pharmacol, 2021.