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Strengthening the African Laser Centre (ALC)
One of the most potent scientific tools over the
ages for elucidating the laws of nature and applying
those laws for the betterment of mankind is
light. With the rise of quantum mechanics, man
came to understand that light is composed of
individual particles called photons. By shining
these photons onto various materials, scientists
and engineers have been able to probe the
innermost structure of matter.
Nowadays, researchers have been able to expand
tremendously the role played by light in a myriad
of new scientific and technological applications.
Notable among those applications is the use of
light for advancements in telecommunications,
the application of focused beams of light for
medical surgery, and the generation of intense
beams of light for elucidating the structure of
proteins—the workhorses of our bodies’ many
biological functions.
If African nations are to play a major role in utilizing
light to advance science and technology,
thereby contributing to the strengthening of
their economies, it is essential to wait no longer
in making the kinds of investments that will
lead to substantial economic payoffs.
Recognizing the need to invest in light sources,
most of which fall under the scientific term
laser, the African laser community came together
to establish the African Laser Centre (ALC).
The mission is to enable “African nations to collaborate
with each other and internationally to
play a major role in utilising light to advance science
and technology, thereby contributing to
the strengthening of their economies, their
global competitiveness, education and welfare
of their people.”
The ALC was launched at the first NEPAD Ministerial
Conference on Science and Technology. It is
emerging as a virtual network of centers of excellence
dedicated to research and the development
of laser technologies for the African continent. The
ALC will promote shared use of laser facilities to
conduct research and training programmes.
Programme Objectives
This proposed programme aims at building Africa’s
capacity to engage in laser research and technology
development as well as related applications. Its
overall objective is to strengthen the ALC.
The programme’s specific objectives are to:
- Build and/or increase African skills or
expertise in laser research and
technologies;
- Ensure development, sustainability and
sharing of facilities for laser research
and technology development; and
- Promote expansion of the ALC network
of facilities.
Indicative Projects and Activities
Project 1: Strengthening the African
Laser Centre
The ALC is the only continental network dedicated
to laser research and technology development. It
is relatively young and needs strengthening.
This proposed project will support the ALC to:
- Design a comprehensive African
programme for laser research and
innovation;
- Increase regional hubs and nodes of
laboratories to be shared across the
regions and continent of Africa;
- Organize annual conferences and workshops
aimed at promoting research and
exchange of information on laser technologies
and their applicability in Africa;
- Develop and sustain an African journal
of laser research and technologies; and
- Establish links with industry and the
international laser research and
innovation community.
Project 2: Strengthening postgraduate training
and research on lasers
This project will be developed and organized as
postgraduate fellowship scheme for MSc, PhD
and Post-doctoral research.
In collaboration with the ALC, the following
actions will be taken to develop this project:
- Identification and assessment of
existing laser research and training programmes
in/of African universities. The
assessment will focus on such aspects
as quality and relevance of the programmes,
quality of research infrastructure,
ability to expand enrolment, and
university-industry links;
- Design of a common/African postgraduate
training curriculum for laser
research and technology development;
- Identification and designation of a core
group of African universities to be
linked to the ALC to offer the training;
and
- Establishment of a trust fund and
specific criteria for providing fellowship
grants.
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