In the media - 2008/9/10

• Africa plans leap into drug R&D
  18 February 2010, SciDev.Net
  The African Expert Meeting on Pharmaceutical Innovation in Africa — taking place in Pretoria, South Africa this week (18–20 February) — aims to encourage African policymakers to act to boost drug development and access to essential medicines.

• Backing grows for African research chairs
  12 February 2010, SciDev.Net
  Support is growing for a bid to persuade the G8+5 nations to fund 1,000 senior research positions in African universities.

• African R&D survey faces delays
  8 December 2009, SciDev.Net
  Countries taking part in Africa's most detailed survey of research and innovation to date have been given a three-month extension to gather the required data.

• Africa Analysis: Quality in research
  30 November 2009, SciDev.Net
  Policymaking is only as good as the evidence used to formulate it. So when developing countries boost their national research effort to underpin policymaking and nurture innovation, they must strive for high quality research.

• Africa Analysis: Progress on science spending?
  29 October 2009, SciDev.Net
  After 2006's commitment to one per cent GDP spending on science, is Africa keeping up, falling behind or investing, asks Linda Nordling.

• Financial crisis squeezes African science funding
  22 October 2009, SciDev.Net
  Funds have fallen and the future is "worrying", the AU's science chief told the TWAS meeting, but some countries gave confident reports.

• TWAS aims to boost its science fund
  21 October 2009, SciDev.Net
  The academy of sciences for the developing world unveiled ambitious funding hopes at its general meeting in South Africa.

• Grant bolsters African biosafety capacity
  15 October 2009, SciDev.Net
  The African Biosafety Network of Expertise can now begin building African countries' biosafety knowhow in earnest.

• Africans 'losing out' in North–South collaborations
  14 October 2009, SciDev.Net
  Failure to secure rights over joint research data is preventing African researchers from getting ahead, a meeting has heard.

• The state of South African science
  12 October 2009, SciDev.Net
  Post-apartheid South African science faces many challenges but boosts in science spending mean the country is making strides.

• Good, and bad, news on the 'science gap'
  9 October 2009, SciDev.Net
  New figures on research spending show that the gap between rich and poor countries is closing — but not fast enough.

• Plans cemented for African health innovation
  8 October 2009, SciDev.Net
  A second meeting of the African Network for Drugs and Diagnosis Innovation has cemented its plans for African health innovation.

• Poor countries spending more on science
  7 October 2009, SciDev.Net
  Developing countries are spending more on R&D and have invested in many more scientists, according to UNESCO figures.

• Africa Analysis: Can donors prove aid works?
  30 September 2009, SciDev.Net
  Aid agencies, under pressure to prove their worth, should seize the opportunity to make spending more accountable, says Linda Nordling.

• AU recognises women scientists
  23 September 2009, African Union
  A group of female scientists has been awarded the first ever African Union Women Scientists Regional Awards, a new initiative recognising the best women scientists in the five regions of Africa. The US$20,000 prizes given this month (9 September) went to researchers working in various scientific fields with an aim of integrating local knowledge with modern scientific advancement.

• Nigeria relaunches research fair to boost industry links
  17 September 2009, SciDev.Net
  Nigerian universities are targeting closer relationships with industry to unlock research languishing in laboratories.

• Kenya maintains innovation despite political strife
  9 September 2009, SciDev.Net
  Kenya is still the second most innovative country in Sub-Saharan Africa according to this year's rankings, despite political turmoil after the 2007 elections.

• Local engagement key to bringing biotech to Africa
  19 August 2009, SciDev.Net
  Moves to introduce biotechnology to Africa must consider the needs and values of local people.

• African universities 'face fresh Internet challenges'
  17 August 2009, SciDev.Net
  Africa's access to digital research resources has improved but the continent faces new challenges in its use of these resources, a report finds.

• Plans for Malawi science university heading to parliament
  17 August 2009, SciDev.Net
  Legislation to establish the first University of Science and Technology in Malawi is expected to be presented to parliament this year, in the hope that the project will start in 2010.

• Science R&D enjoys a windfall in Tanzania
  14 August 2009, SciDev.Net
  Tanzania's commitment to raise its science budget will be put into action this year, long before the country's self-imposed deadline.

• Kenyan nuclear power plans forge ahead
  7 August 2009, SciDev.Net
  Plans for Kenya's first nuclear power plant are making progress, with two potential construction sites announced.

• Algeria delivers on research funding promise
  6 August 2009, SciDev.Net
  The first funds for Algeria's US$1.4 billion science and technology programme have been released.

• More East African countries to benefit from broadband
  5 August 2009, SciDev.Net
  Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania are the latest countries targeted by the World Bank for high-speed communications links.

• Online tool could aid global collaboration
  4 August 2009, SciDev.Net
  A free online data-sharing tool developed by Google could help with worldwide scientific collaborations.
• Systems of innovation: Their time has come
  31 July 2009, SciDev.Net
  Academics have long argued for developing countries to adopt "systems of innovation". Now it looks like politicians have got the message.
  
  
• African think tanks to get funding boost
  7 July 2009, SciDev.Net
  Decade-long funding will give 24 African think tanks the opportunity for long-term, rather than isolated, analysis.
  
  
• Africa takes the lead in health research partnerships
  2 July 2009, SciDev.Net
  A new US$49 million initiative aims to strengthen health research capacity across Africa — and will put African researchers in charge.
  
  
• African science 'won't be a G8 priority'
  2 July 2009, SciDev.Net
  African science is unlikely to be prioritised at next month's G8 meeting but the fault also rests with African nations, say critics.
  
  
• Malawi to boost investment in science
  26 June 2009, SciDev.Net
  Malawi's newly re-elected president has plans for science and technology, including a new commission to coordinate research.
  
  
• Scheme helps polish developing country science papers
  22 June 2009, SciDev.Net
  Researchers in developing countries can access a free editing service that prepares their manuscripts for submission to journals.
  
  
• Kenya, South Africa, Tunisia top innovation poll
  17 June 2009, SciDev.Net
  A report on African competitiveness has revealed Kenya, South Africa and Tunisia to be the continent's top innovators.
  
  
• Database aims to put African research on the map
  15 June 2009, SciDev.Net
  Southern African scientists are compiling the continent's scientific output in the hope of more global recognition.
  
  
• Africa calls on world's richest to curb brain drain
  12 June 2009, SciDev.Net
  African scientists have asked members of the G8+5 to help the continent stem brain drain and rebuild its university sector.
  
  
• New South African minister will put science centre stage
  11 June 2009, SciDev.Net
  South Africa's new science minister will help boost science for development, says an editorial in the South African Journal of Science.
  
  
• Rwanda looks to S&T to speed development
  11 June 2009, SciDev.Net
  Science and technology minister Professor Romain Murenzi says science and technology will be at the heart of Rwanda's development strategies.
  
  
• Scientists call for African genomics boost
  2 June 2009, SciDev.Net
  Scientists who drew up a genetic map of Africa say the continent's scientists must use it to develop drugs tailored for Africans.
  
  
• Botswana begins building new S&T university
  21 May 2009, SciDev.Net
  After several delays, construction is underway on Botswana's specialist science university, with students expected to register in 2011.
  
  
• Africa backs new body to boost knowledge management
  8 May 2009, SciDev.Net
  A new foundation, supported by a number of African banks, will seek to promote the use of scientific knowledge across the continent.
  
  
• Less talk more action on science, Africa urged
  5 May 2009, SciDev.Net
  Knowledge must be converted into application if Africa is to cure its ills, a conference in Senegal has been told.
  
  
• Africa Analysis: A common vision for East Africa?
  2 April 2009, SciDev.Net
  With plans for an East African Federation creaking at the seams, is a common science vision for the region unrealistic, asks Linda Nordling.
  
  
• More research needed to tap Africa's biogas potential
  23 March 2009, SciDev.Net
  Sub-Saharan Africa is missing out on the benefits of biogas production due to a lack of local research, say researchers.
  
  
• Science training: If governments lead, others will help
  11 March 2009, SciDev.Net
  African governments must invest in science training — but they don't have to go it alone, says Arlen Hastings.
  
  
• Idea for pan-African science fund gains ground
  10 December 2008, SciDev.Net
  The African Development Bank says it supports proposals for a fund that would help coordinate science, technology and education projects.
  
  
• EU money to help Southern scientists compete for funding
  4 December 2008, SciDev.Net
  African, Caribbean and Pacific scientists can for the first time get EU support for building resources to vie for international research funds.
  
  
• AU takes controversial lead in African S&T programmes
  3 December 2008, SciDev.Net
  A move by the African Union to coordinate science and technology in the region signals some cooperation between two key bodies.
  
  
• African Union support crucial for agricultural progress
  1 December 2008, SciDev.Net
  The African Union's (AU) efforts to bring multinational companies and environmentalists together in a High-Level Panel on Modern Biotechnology is commendable, says an editorial in Nature.
  
  
• Academies have no-one to fear but themselves
  28 November 2008, SciDev.Net
  Science academies in the developing world must engage with the real world if they want to influence policy.
  
  
• Innovate to accumulate
  20 November 2008, SciDev.Net
  Leaders in Africa and other developing countries have a wealth of scientific know-how at their disposal compared to their predecessors. The challenge is adapting that knowledge to local markets, writes Calestous Juma.
  
  
• Africa's first communications satellite fails
  17 November 2008, SciDev.Net
  Nigeria's communications satellite has broken down, dashing hopes of digital outreach to rural communities.
  
  
• Mozambique to launch science parks for development
  29 October 2008, SciDev.Net
  The Mozambican government will develop four 'science parks' to encourage scientists to find solutions for health and infrastructure.
  
  
• Egypt to host first Northern African nanotech centre
  10 October 2008, SciDev.Net
  A partnership between Egypt and IBM will establish the first regional nanotechnology research centre in Cairo.
  
  
• Zambia's molecular biology lab ' fully functioning' at last
  7 October 2008, SciDev.Net
  Zambia's first molecular laboratory is fully active after years of setbacks, and will prioritise the detection of genetically modified crops.
  
  
• Europe backs African research grants project
  6 October 2008, SciDev.Net
  African and European officials have identified six science and technology projects, including a scheme for research grants, for priority funding.
  
  
• Malawi joins Africa-wide science and development survey
  3 October 2008, SciDev.Net
  Malawi has signed up to contribute to an Africa-wide initiative to gauge the impact of science on development.
  
  
• Rwanda set for first research endowment fund
  1 October 2008, SciDev.Net
  Rwanda plans to launch its first endowment fund for researchers in early 2009, with priority areas including agriculture and biotechnology.
  
  
• Biotechnology 'no cure-all' for food insecurity
  26 September 2008, SciDev.Net
  Biotechnology will not offer the full solution to Africa's food problems, warn scientists at the All Africa Congress on Biotechnology.
  
  
• African agricultural research 'neglected ' by donor policies
  24 September 2008, SciDev.Net
  A UN report cites a lack of emphasis on agricultural research in development policy as a key reason for African farming problems.
  
  
• Shortage of engineers bites
  2 September 2008, The Citizen
  Tanzania needs to train about of 20,000 engineers annually if it is to catch up with developed countries.
  
  
• Accept GM, urges senior African Union official
  29 August 2008, SciDev.Net
  A senior African Union (AU) official has urged African presidents to cast aside any apprehension about allowing genetically modified (GM) crops to be grown commercially in their countries.
  
  
• Ghana, Madagascar, Mali get agricultural revamp
  19 June 2008, SciDev.Net
  African small-scale farmers will benefit from the rehabilitation of agricultural infrastructure, with Ghana, Madagascar and Mali first in line.
  
  
• African molecular biologists receive European boost
  18 June 2008, SciDev.Net
  South Africa has signed an agreement with the European Molecular Biology Association, providing African molecular biologists access to greater resources.
  
  
• G8 should support high-speed web access in Africa
  3 June 2008, SciDev.Net
  Calestous Juma argues that G8 countries should support provision of cheap, fast Internet access in Africa - particularly to universities.
  
  
• Finances 'almost there' for west African super-cable
  3 June 2008 , SciDev.Net
  Financial arrangements are almost in place for a new African super-cable — bringing cheaper broadband access closer to reality.
  
  
• EU Strengthen Co-Operation in Research, Education
  7 May 2008, AllAfrica.com
  South Africa and the European Union (EU) agreed on further cooperation at a meeting in Pretoria. Forty-seven South African scientists are taking part in the EU's Seventh Framework Programme, receiving over six million Euros in funding for research in sectors such as aeronautics and nuclear energy. New priorities for future work include information and communication technologies, and biotechnology.
  
  
• New science ministry — and minister — for Kenya
  22 April 2008, SciDev.Net
  Kenya has created a new ministry that will bring together scientists and university researchers — and appointed a new minister to run it.
  
  
• Africa’s bioethics legal system about to see the light
  22 April 2008, Research Africa
  Africa will soon have its first legal framework for bioethics if the bureau of African conference of ministers for science and technology (Amcost) agrees to a proposal for its establishment.
  
  
• Who was asleep as GM maize entered Kenya?
  22 April 2008, Research Africa
  Revelations that Kenyan farmers may be planting genetically modified maize seeds have sparked a chorus of denial, accusation and counter-accusation.
  
  
• US$40 million funding boost for African researchers
  15 April 2008, SciDev.Net
  The UK-based medical charity the Wellcome Trust announced last week (11 April) that it would give £20 million (nearly US$40 million) towards training scientists in Sub-Saharan Africa.
  
  
• World risks 'scientific apartheid', says top African scientist
  15 April 2008, SciDev.Net
  The world risks "scientific apartheid" between rich and poor countries unless research and technology is better used to benefit the poor, says one of Africa's leading science experts.
  
  
• Uganda gives go-ahead to biotechnology policy
  11 April 2008, SciDev.Net
  Uganda has approved its first National Biotechnology and Biosafety Policy, for promotion and regulation of biotechnology use.
  
  
• PhD boost takes off in Ethiopia
  25 March 2008, Research Africa
  Ethiopia has embarked on a programme to expand its graduate programmes. Its biggest university, which traditionally focused on undergraduate training, is doubling and tripling its output of master’s and PhD students.
  
  
• AU and Nepad science divisions bury hatchet
  25 March 2008, Research Africa
  The continent's top science policy bodies have agreed on a plan to overcome their differences and avoid duplication in the future. The move follows a period of conflict between the two that has hampered the implementation of the pan-African Consolidated Plan of Action (CPA) for science.
  
  
• Place your bets now
  25 March 2008, Research Africa
  Nigeria’s scientists have waited a long time for the country’s federal government to put its money where its mouth is and boost funding for science. Abiose Adelaja reports on a sector tired of holding its breath.
  
  
• World Bank Report - Building STI Capacity in Rwanda
  2 April 2008, SciDev.Net
  
  
• African finance ministers 'must boost R&D spending'
  9 March 2008, SciDev.Net
  African finance ministers have been urged to increase funding for R&D in order to boost innovation systems on the continent.
  
  
• MEPs call for increased involvement of African scientists in R&D
  21 February 2008, European Parliament Press Service
  In adopting a joint resolution on the importance of supporting measures to improve international scientific cooperation with Africa, the European Parliament underlines the need to increase the involvement of African scientists in international collaborative science and R&D projects in order to keep and develop R&D knowledge in Africa, in particular in specific sectors such as food, health and energy.
  
  
• Why Uganda's science policies are failing to bear fruit
  6 February 2008, The Monitor
  Over the years, the government has pursued an ambitious policy of enforcing science subjects in a bid to boost the move towards industrialisation. However, the results on the ground doesn't match the ambition.
  
  
• Sub-Saharan Africa needs S&T policy help
  5 February 2008, Research Africa
  Many sub-Saharan African science policies are "vacuous", "uncritical" and "fairly inappropriate", according to a study published last month. The study was presented at a symposium for research policy experts in Paris, France, and identifies a need to support African governments in policy development.
  
  
• ASIF and 1% ambition benchmarks for 2008
  22 January 2008, Research Africa
  What is in store for African science in 2008? This issue of Research Africa, we depart from our usual format to take a look back at the year that was < and forward to the challenges of the one to come.
  
  
• The battle that remains to be fought
  22 January 2008, Research Africa
  In an editorial, Research Africa's Linda Nordling looks at the successes and setbacks from 2007 in the arena of African science and innovation policy and comments on the philosophical shift towards self-reliability in the funding debate.
  
  
• One worth fighting for
  22 January 2008, Research Africa
  Looking at progress on the continent in reaching the goal of spending 1 percent of GDP on R&D by 2010, Research Africa finds frustration with progress to date and skepticism among some policymakers and scientists as to the sincerity of the pledge. But it also finds a large group of people who believe Africa can still win this race against time.