The Senegalese government is satisfied with progress in carrying out its reforms under the Presidential Council on the Future of Higher Education and Research, or CNEAS. But there are delays in accomplishing some important measures, according to press reports. The rate of carrying out the reforms according to the schedule was ‘very satisfactory’, according to […]
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For centuries, the drought-tolerant argan tree, endemic to Morocco, has acted as a ‘green curtain’ against desertification by the encroaching Sahara. Argan oil is the tree’s most valuable product. Known for its light, nutty flavour, the oil is used for salad dressing and cooking, and is also reputed to have medicinal and cosmetic properties. But over the twentieth […]
Read More… from Research turns oil into market hit, empowers women
A vast majority of Nigeria’s scientists are sceptical about using genetically modified (GM) mosquitoes to tackle malaria in the country, a study suggests. Nearly 90 per cent of surveyed scientists were concerned that such mosquitoes could spread in an uncontrolled way beyond their release sites, while more than 94 per cent feared they could mate with other […]
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Combining meteorology and traditional methods of weather prediction could increase uptake of weather information by local communities in rural areas of Tanzania, experts say. Scientists from Tanzania Meteorological Agency (TMA), Hakikazi Catalyst — a non-profit organisation in Tanzania that empowers people with information — and the UK-based International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), indicate that such […]
Read More… from Project mixes local, expert know-how to predict weather
About 30 million smallholder cassava farmers in East and Central Africa could benefit from a project that has mass-produced small plants of 19 varieties resistant to the crop’s two devastating viral diseases. Cassava mosaic disease (CMD) and cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) cause losses estimated at US$1 billion every year worldwide, placing farmers at risk of […]
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Graduate unemployment rates have spiralled across Sub-Saharan Africa as too few graduates gain the skills needed to find work. In many countries employers complain of a lack of basic, technical and transferable skills, says a new report by the British Council. Preparing graduates for the workplace is an enormous challenge that needs different government departments, […]
Read More… from Higher education could help solve the job crisis – Report
When the 10th international conference on Public Communication of Science and Technology (PCST2014) opened last week in Salvador, we were reminded that the field began in earnest 25 years ago with an erstwhile paper from UNESCO. Since then, the community of practitioners and academics have called themselves different things and been subject to a shifting […]
Read More… from Taking stock of science communication’s big challenges
A network for Sudanese women researchers has been formed, to highlight the successes of women in science and to enhance their contribution to innovation and economic growth. The Sudanese women’s network for research and innovation was launched during the second Arab Women in Science and Technology for Sustainable Development conference held in the country’s capital Khartoum from […]
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For a while now, Argentina has seemed serious about science as a means for development. This week, at the 13th International Public Communication of Science and Technology Conference (PCST2014), there was fresh evidence of this. I learned that President Cristina Kirchner’s government is setting up a specialised agency within the science ministry to boost science communication in the country. This is part of the government’s strategic goals […]
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Despite nanotechnology’s huge potential to alleviate poverty, it is one of the least covered science topics in Nigerian newspapers, a study finds. The study, which is yet to be published, was presented by Herbert Batta, a communication lecturer at Nigeria’s University of Uyo, at the 13thInternational Public Communication of Science and Technology conference (PCST2014) in Brazil, this week (5-8 May). Read more […]
Read More… from Nigerian newspapers hardly cover nanotechnology