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<p>A panel of experts examine key transformative initiatives for Africa, the role that education, science, technology and innovation will play in them to heighten their impact and highlight the key challenges faced in being able to scale them up for the impact needed including crowding in finance and the investment needed.</p>


Africa Business Forum 2024: Scaling-up transformative initiatives for developmental impact

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Rwanda&#8217;s Ministry of Education launched the Tech Enabled STEM Teaching pilot Program in 50 secondary schools meant to achieve an education system that embraces 21st century skills. CNBC Africa filed this report.</p>


Rwanda seeks to empower its youth with STEM education programmes

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<p>Kim Hulett, CEO and Founder of Next Bio Sciences &#8211; a South African-based biotech company which houses the largest cryogenic bank on the African continent and is the market leader in reproductive genetic testing joins CNBC Africa for more on the business combination of medicine, science and technology.</p>


Designer babies are already here: Here’s what you need to know

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<p>Africa has set an ambitious target of halving poverty and ending hunger by 2025. To share insights into how the continent can capitalise on science to achieve this, food Scientist and co-winner of the 2016 World Food Prize, Maria Isabel Andrade, joins CNBC Africa for more.</p>


How innovation & technology can help end hunger in Africa

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<p>In February 2017, India and Rwanda launched an Innovation Growth Programme which aims to strengthen bilateral relationship in science, technology and innovation. To discuss the relations between the two countries, Munish Gupta, President of India-Rwanda Friendship Association (IRFA) joins CNBC Africa for more.</p>


India-Rwanda relations prove beneficial for science, technology and innovation

By <span><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/himla-soodyall-786659">Himla Soodyall</a>, <em><a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/academy-of-science-of-south-africa-4078">Academy of Science of South Africa</a></em></span>

<p>Many African countries have <a href="http://unsdsn.org/resources/publications/2019-africa-sdg-index-and-dashboards-report/">a long way to go</a> to meet the <a href="https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/?menu=1300">sustainable development goals</a>. These goals, set by the United Nations, call for all countries to develop their economies by 2030. This should happen sustainably and inclusively. At the same time, human rights and the environment must be protected.</p>

<p>But most countries in Africa are <a href="http://unsdsn.org/resources/publications/2019-africa-sdg-index-and-dashboards-report/">lagging behind</a> or even stagnating when it comes to realising these goals. One of the reasons for this is that countries are not using enough rigorous research or developing policies informed by accurate scientific evidence. </p>

<p>This is a shortcoming that must be addressed. Policymakers, scientists and knowledge providers like science academies and research houses must work together to ensure that public policy is as fit-for-purpose as it can be.</p>

<p>Evidence-informed policymaking is <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-science-matters-so-much-in-the-era-of-fake-news-and-fallacies-113298">more important than ever</a>. We’re living in a world where <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-do-people-favor-opinion-over-scientific-evidence/">opinion matters</a> more than fact. In <a href="https://www.livescience.com/57590-why-americans-deny-science.html">some countries</a>, evidence and expertise are valued less than at any other time in history.</p>

<p>With this in mind, <a href="http://www.interacademies.org/56874/SEM_for_Africa">a new report</a> has been released that calls on African governments to invest in and apply science, engineering and medicine more systematically to try and address sustainable development issues. It also encourages the continent’s science community to be more proactive in helping to accelerate Africa’s development.</p>

<p>The report was compiled by the <a href="http://www.interacademies.org/">InterAcademy Partnership</a>. This is a global network of more than 140 academics of science, engineering and medicine. One of the report’s key recommendations is that science academies have a crucial role to play in developing ways for scientists to engage more effectively with the African Union and United Nations at continental, regional and national levels.</p>

<h2>Key recommendations</h2>

<p>Science academies represent some of their countries’ best scientists. They also operate independently of governments. Academies collaborate on issues of local, regional and global importance: food security, <a href="https://skepticalscience.com/joint-statements-on-climate-change-from-nas-around-world.html">climate change</a>, health and water security. </p>

<p>There are national academies of science in 27 African countries and young academies in 13 countries on the continent. <a href="https://globalyoungacademy.net/national-young-academies/">Young academies</a> cater for academics who are just starting their careers.</p>

<p>In keeping with the report’s focus on science academies, it was formally released this week at a workshop hosted by the <a href="https://assaf.org.za/">Academy of Science of South Africa</a> that dealt with <a href="https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdg6">sustainable development goal 6</a>: clean water and sanitation.</p>

<p>These are the report’s central recommendations:</p>

<ul>
<li><p>policymakers and science academies must work openly and inclusively together to ensure that evidence informs policy formulation, implementation and review;</p></li>
<li><p>more opportunities should be created to bring scientists and policymakers together. This could happen through, for instance, fellowships or secondments;</p></li>
<li><p>programmes that engage the African science diaspora and develop science policy leadership should be scaled up; and,</p></li>
<li><p>cooperation should be strengthened between academies of established “senior” scientists and early career “young” scientists. Young academies are especially effective at engaging with universities, schools and the public.</p></li>
</ul>

<p>If these recommendations are adopted, the science community will be in a strong position to ensure that the best, most appropriate science produced in African countries is used to help the continent’s development. Policymakers, in turn, will be more likely to formulate policies that work.</p>

<h2>Support</h2>

<p>Ultimately, it is anticipated that this report will help the continent’s science community navigate its way around the complex policy mechanisms and processes of the United Nations, African Union and national governments. </p>

<p>By the same token, it will empower policymakers to navigate their way around the complex science landscape. This will mean that instead of these communities talking at each other, they talk to and with each other.</p>

<p><em>Dr Tracey Elliott, Project Director of the InterAcademy Partnership, co-authored this article.</em><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/120788/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important"></p>

<p><span><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/himla-soodyall-786659">Himla Soodyall</a>, Secretary General of ASSAF; Principal Medical Scientist and Associate Professor at the National Health Laboratory Service and the University of Witwatersrand, <em><a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/academy-of-science-of-south-africa-4078">Academy of Science of South Africa</a></em></span></p>

<p>This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-africas-science-academies-can-help-drive-sustainable-development-120788">original article</a>.</p>

Here’s how Africa’s science academies can assist in driving sustainable development

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<p>Science, engineering, technology and mathematics have been noted as the elements to help Africa leapfrog into the forth industrial revolution but investment in the sectors continues to lag behind when compared to the rest of the world, joining CNBC Africa to shed more light on what can be done to boost STEM education is the Program Director at Clarke International University, Micheal Niyitegeka.</p>


The future of STEM education in Africa

<figure><img decoding="async" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/231643/original/file-20180813-2894-mxi5d9.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt="File 20180813 2894 mxi5d9.jpg?ixlib=rb 1.1" /><figcaption>Young African scientists face persistent barriers which cause them to leave academia. <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock/WAYHOME studio</span></span></figcaption></figure>
<p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/anna-coussens-202468">Anna Coussens</a>, <em><a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-cape-town-691">University of Cape Town</a></em>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/abidemi-james-akindele-497175">Abidemi James Akindele</a>, <em><a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-lagos-1959">University of Lagos</a></em>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/badre-abdeslam-496703">Badre Abdeslam</a>, <em><a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/universite-mohammed-v-de-rabat-2773">Université Mohammed V de Rabat</a></em>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/fridah-kanana-497174">Fridah Kanana</a>, <em><a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/kenyatta-university-2655">Kenyatta University</a></em>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/mona-khoury-kassabri-501285">Mona Khoury-Kassabri</a>, <em><a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/hebrew-university-of-jerusalem-855">Hebrew University of Jerusalem</a></em></p>
<p>Young African scientists face <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-africa-is-tackling-next-generation-fears-in-academia-49057">persistent barriers</a> which cause them to leave their own countries, and even academia. This means the continent’s work force loses highly trained people who are crucial for scientific and technological advancement, and for economic development.</p>
<p>It’s estimated that <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4637331/">20,000 highly</a> educated professionals leave the continent annually, with <a href="http://www.universityworldnews.com/article.php?story=20081214092057738">up to 30%</a> of Africa’s scientists among them.</p>
<p>A number of factors contribute to this trend. The extreme factors include war and political instability. But the more common “pushes” are a desire for higher pay, better opportunities, and the search for a conducive research environment – one where infrastructure and management help drive careers and research potential.</p>
<p>To identify all the barriers and develop strategies to address them, the <a href="https://globalyoungacademy.net/">Global Young Academy</a> – an organisation of 200 talented young scientists and over 200 alumni from 83 countries – established the Global State of Young Scientists (<a href="https://globalyoungacademy.net/activities/the-global-state-of-young-scientists/">GloSYS</a>) Africa project. Working with <a href="https://globalyoungacademy.net/global-state-of-young-scientists-project-researchers-meet-in-morocco/">local research partners</a> and international higher education experts, the project aims to identify the challenges and motivations that shape young scientists’ career trajectories.</p>
<p>Our initial findings point to a lack of mentoring, resources and funding as key issues young scientists face across the continent. Using this data, we will be able to identify critical areas in which young scientists need support and develop innovative strategies to alleviate these challenges.</p>
<p>The project comes at an important time as, over the past few years, African countries have initiated programmes to <a href="http://www.universityworldnews.com/article.php?story=20090529112249793">increase</a> the number of PhD graduates. But if governments don’t simultaneously develop support structures for graduates, and increase access to critical teaching and research infrastructure, these young scientists are set up to fail.</p>
<h2>The study</h2>
<p>The Global State of Young Scientists Africa project, uses an <a href="https://glosys.typeform.com/to/Cup20s">online survey</a> (which is currently open to respondents) and in-depth interviews to gather as much detail as possible. It looks at young scientists’ motivations, career ambitions and the barriers they experience in fulfilling their career aspirations.</p>
<p>It targets researchers and scholars who have earned a Masters or PhD within the last 10 years, irrespective of their current employment status and sector. It’s also open to current PhD students in Africa and African scientists and scholars currently living in the diaspora.</p>
<p>Having this wide range of participants means the data will reflect a broad range of experiences. From early-career researchers with a history of moving within and out of Africa, to those who have never left their home countries. From department heads, to researchers who have trouble finding work despite their high qualifications. The team is also particularly interested in hearing from early career researchers outside of academia, as this helps us understand their reasons for not pursuing a career in research.</p>
<p>From our preliminary survey results – drawn from more than 700 young scientists’ responses – we have found that, even with diverse backgrounds, early-career researchers have a great deal in common. A lack of mentoring, infrastructure, resources (staff and material) and funding for research and resources are key reasons for not pursuing a career in academia. There is also a strong desire for more training in grant writing and professional skills.</p>
<p>Using this information, the GYA plans to develop programmes to address the challenges, as we’ve previously done.</p>
<p>This is the third survey done under the Global State of Young Scientists umbrella. The first was a global <a href="https://globalyoungacademy.net/publications/the-global-state-of-young-scientists/">study</a> of young scientists from 14 countries across five continents. The second was a regional study which focused on <a href="https://globalyoungacademy.net/publications/the-global-state-of-young-scientists-in-asean/">four Southeast Asian countries</a>.</p>
<p>A major challenge identified from those two studies was the desire for training in leadership skills. As these young scientists began to grow their own research groups they needed the tools to deal with the challenges of integrating research, teaching, and fundraising. In response, Global Young Academy members developed and implemented science leadership programmes in <a href="http://www.futureafrica.science/index.php/leadership-programmes/aslp">Africa</a> and <a href="http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/First-Science-Leadership-Programme-for-Asean-30290867.html">Asia</a>, in collaboration with creative facilitators <a href="http://knowinnovation.com/">KnowInnovation</a> and <a href="http://www.futureafrica.science/">Future Africa</a>.</p>
<p>Obtaining these new skills created an incentive for the young scientists to pursue their career in academia. The fellows found, for instance, the science leadership programmes to be one to the most significant workshops of their careers.</p>
<h2>From barriers to action</h2>
<p>The African leg of the survey continues. Once common challenges have been identified, the team will then work with policymakers in Africa as well as with international funding bodies to develop evidence-based initiatives to address them.</p>
<p>It’s hoped that the Global State of Young Scientists Africa project will highlight further areas of need, so that the Academy can develop new innovative programmes in collaboration with science and education policymakers to improve young African scientists’ prospects.</p>
<p><em>Early career researchers from and in Africa can become involved by taking the <a href="https://glosys.typeform.com/to/Cup20s">GloSYS Africa survey</a>. The survey will remain open until mid September 2018 with results to be published at the beginning of 2019.</em></p>
<p><strong><em>Marie Luise Neumann, GloSYS project researcher for the Global Young Academy assisted in the writing of this article</em>. <em>Mobility data analysis was conducted by Dr Hsin-Chou Yang and his research team at the Institute of Statistical Science Academia Sinica, Taiwan</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/anna-coussens-202468">Anna Coussens</a>, Honorary Associate Professor in Medical Microbiology, <em><a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-cape-town-691">University of Cape Town</a></em>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/abidemi-james-akindele-497175">Abidemi James Akindele</a>, Lecturer, <em><a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-lagos-1959">University of Lagos</a></em>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/badre-abdeslam-496703">Badre Abdeslam</a>, Professor, Social Sciences, <em><a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/universite-mohammed-v-de-rabat-2773">Université Mohammed V de Rabat</a></em>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/fridah-kanana-497174">Fridah Kanana</a>, Senior lecturer, <em><a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/kenyatta-university-2655">Kenyatta University</a></em>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/mona-khoury-kassabri-501285">Mona Khoury-Kassabri</a>, Postdoctoral fellow, <em><a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/hebrew-university-of-jerusalem-855">Hebrew University of Jerusalem</a></em></p>
<p>This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/whats-stopping-young-african-scientists-from-achieving-their-potential-97404">original article</a>.</p>

What are the barriers that keep African scientists from reaching their full potential?

<figure><img decoding="async" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/228795/original/file-20180723-189338-l42zjg.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt="File 20180723 189338 l42zjg.jpg?ixlib=rb 1.1" /><figcaption>Space law is a growing and important discipline.<br />
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">piick/Shutterstock</span></span></figcaption></figure>
<p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/julia-selman-ayetey-303578">Julia Selman Ayetey</a>, <em><a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/mcgill-university-827">McGill University</a></em></p>
<p>Rapid advances in space technology mean that space is no longer simply a stargazer’s paradise.</p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.spacesafetymagazine.com/space-on-earth/space-economy/">socio-economic benefits</a> possible from the use of space technology and research are endless. For instance, satellite imagery can be used for agricultural purposes, such as helping to predict food shortages and surplus harvests. It can also be employed to forecast and monitor natural disasters like flooding, earthquakes and wildfires. <a href="http://www.who.int/goe/publications/goe_telemedicine_2010.pdf">Telemedicine</a> platforms, which also rely on satellites beaming from space, can greatly enhance the provision of health services in remote areas.</p>
<p>African countries are becoming increasingly aware of these and other possibilities. According to Euroconsult, the space budgets of just five African states amounted to over <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0265964613000593#tbl1">USD$900 million between 2009-2012</a> and the continent’s evolving space sector is reportedly worth <a href="https://spacegeneration.org/regions/africa">USD$400 billion</a> today.</p>
<p>In 2014 Algeria, Nigeria and South Africa combined spent more <a href="https://www.africaportal.org/features/making-case-african-investment-space-programmes/">than USD$140 million</a> on non-military space programmes. Others expanding their space agenda include Angola, Egypt, <a href="https://africanbusinessmagazine.com/region/east-africa/ethiopia-enters-space-age/">Ethiopia</a> and Kenya.</p>
<p>Ghana is trying to catch up. The <a href="http://gsstc.gov.gh/">Ghana Space Science &amp; Technology Institute</a> has been established to train specialists in these fields and to convert space research into commercial applications. The government has made a <a href="https://www.businessghana.com/site/news/general/162920/Ghana-bids-to-host-African-Union-Space-Agency">bid to host</a> the African Union’s planned Space Agency. It’s also a participant in the <a href="https://theconversation.com/ghana-is-boosting-africas-ascent-to-astronomical-heights-82849">Square Kilometre Array</a> (SKA) radio telescope project.</p>
<p>A notable accomplishment came in July 2017 when, as part of the satellite <a href="http://birds1.birds-project.com">Bird Project</a>, three engineering students from All Nations University, built and successfully launched Ghana’s first satellite, the <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-40538471">GhanaSat-1</a>, from Florida’s Kennedy Space Station.</p>
<p>But if the West African nation is to fully harness the benefits of space technology and create a lucrative space sector – whether in a niche or wide-ranging market – it will need to put proper policies and structures in place. It will also need space legislation and regulations.</p>
<h2>National space laws</h2>
<p>In setting out space legislation, Ghana would be following international precedent. More than 25 countries have enacted such laws. The space powers Russia and the US are among them, but so are smaller states like Argentina, Kazakhstan, Indonesia and Iran.</p>
<p>Closer to home, <a href="https://www.egyptindependent.com/sisi-passes-law-establishing-egyptian-space-agency/">Egypt</a>, Nigeria and <a href="http://www.sacsa.gov.za">South Africa</a> already have space laws. Other nations on the continent will undoubtedly follow suit.</p>
<p>A national space law would ensure that space activities launched within Ghana’s jurisdiction – whether on land, ships or aircraft – and perhaps even abroad by its nationals or registered companies are appropriately regulated.</p>
<p>Such laws may govern a host of space-related ventures. These include launches; remote sensing and space data protection; aeronautics; rocket and satellite development, space tourism and space mining.</p>
<p>Of course, the complexity of space activities combined with the rapid pace at which technology develops means that national space laws are <a href="https://www.jurist.org/commentary/2017/12/selman-ayetey-uk-space-legislation/">unlikely to cover</a> every eventuality. They do, however, provide a degree of certainty for the public, investors and courts should disputes arise.</p>
<p>National laws also facilitate compliance with global obligations. Article 6 of the <a href="http://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/spacelaw/treaties/outerspacetreaty.html">Outer Space Treaty</a>, for example, requires all space activities to be authorised and continually supervised by the state. National laws which demand licensing of space activities foster adherence to the treaty.</p>
<p>Article 7 makes states liable for damage caused by space objects under its jurisdiction, including those belonging to private commercial entities. A Space Act can be vital in limiting a state’s liability through provisions on indemnities.</p>
<p>Ghana has signed the Outer Space Treaty. The next step will be for the government to ratify it, and then to establish a legislative framework for space activities.</p>
<h2>Making Ghana’s space law</h2>
<p>About half a decade ago the International Law Association published the <a href="http://www.unoosa.org/pdf/limited/c2/AC105_C2_2013_CRP06E.pdf">Sofia Guidelines for a Model Law for National Space Legislation</a>. Shortly afterwards the United Nations General Assembly passed <a href="http://digitallibrary.un.org/record/763550/files/A_RES_68_74-EN.pdf">a resolution</a> entitled “Recommendations on national legislation relevant to the peaceful exploration and use of outer space”. These documents contain elements deemed essential for any country’s space law.</p>
<p>Like other <a href="https://tem.fi/en/artikkeli/-/asset_publisher/avaruuslain-rakennuspalikat">countries</a> before it, Ghana can refer to the model law and UN recommendations when drafting its space law. This can then be adapted to suit the nation’s particular needs.</p>
<p>The drafting of such legislation requires a careful balancing act, taking various stakeholders’ interests into account and honouring Ghana’s international obligations.</p>
<p>If laws are too restrictive, investors will take their money elsewhere. For instance, a country whose licensing scheme for private commercial space companies is perceived as onerous will be prone to losing foreign investment to a country whose space laws are viewed as more favourable. On the other hand, safety, environmental concerns and the ability to seek damages for harm to persons or property may be compromised by laws which are too liberal.</p>
<h2>Space law awareness</h2>
<p>The <a href="https://au.int/sites/default/files/newsevents/workingdocuments/33178-wd-african_space_policy_-_st20444_e_original.pdf">African Union</a> has identified the need to develop the human capital necessary to expand the African space market.</p>
<p>Discussions on space capacity-building have tended to focus on the value of aerospace engineers, astrophysicists, and other technical experts. All these professionals are indeed crucial to create a space sector.</p>
<p>But the need for policy advisers, government lawyers and space entrepreneurs to be aware of the rights and obligations arising out of both national and international space law has often been overlooked.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/100200/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />In an effort to contribute to this aspect of the requisite human resources, Ghana could look at introducing space law courses at its universities. At least three other institutions on the continent, Kenya’s <a href="http://law-school.uonbi.ac.ke//uon_degrees_details/1391">University of Nairobi</a>, Niger Delta University in Nigeria and the <a href="https://www.up.ac.za/en/programmes/StudyLevel/13/Faculty/F6/mod/postgrad/year/2019">University of Pretoria</a> in South Africa, have already done this.</p>
<p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/julia-selman-ayetey-303578">Julia Selman Ayetey</a>, Doctoral Candidate, Institute of Air &amp; Space Law, <em><a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/mcgill-university-827">McGill University</a></em></p>
<p>This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/ghana-is-looking-to-outer-space-it-needs-the-law-to-match-100200">original article</a>.</p>


Why Ghana’s space law can’t be too restrictive as country looks to expand space agenda

<figure><img decoding="async" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/230567/original/file-20180803-41351-16fzoo.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt="File 20180803 41351 16fzoo.jpg?ixlib=rb 1.1" /><figcaption>Biobanks can help scientists retain quality samples for future experiments.<br />
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Microgen/Shutterstock</span></span></figcaption></figure>
<p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/dominique-anderson-517434">Dominique Anderson</a>, <em><a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-the-western-cape-1018">University of the Western Cape</a></em>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/alan-christoffels-484169">Alan Christoffels</a>, <em><a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-the-western-cape-1018">University of the Western Cape</a></em>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/carmen-swanepoel-517348">Carmen Swanepoel</a>, <em><a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/stellenbosch-university-1439">Stellenbosch University</a></em></p>
<p><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/biobanks">Biobanks</a> are repositories which receive, store, process and disseminate specimens. These include DNA derived from humans and animals; bacterial strains; and environmental samples like plants and soil. Biobanks also provide the vital infrastructure for research to support scientific advancement and innovation.</p>
<p>In the developed world, biobanks are well established and generally well funded and supported. There are also biobanks in the developing world like regions in Africa, most notably in South Africa and Nigeria – but the technology is really still in its infancy. Simple issues like internet connectivity, access to reliable water and electricity supply, which are all necessary to run biobanks, are common.</p>
<p>Yet it’s in the developing world that biobanks could be especially powerful tools. For example, having access to the rich genetic diversity across Africa would allow researchers to understand disease, develop better diagnostics and treatments, <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/2018/07/27/cancer-cure-genome-cancer-treatment-africa-genetic-charles-rotimi-dna-human-1024630.html">medicines and vaccines</a>, geared toward the continent’s population.</p>
<p>Crucially, they can also improve scientists’ ability to replicate results and experiments, a process known as <a href="http://stm.sciencemag.org/content/8/341/341ps12.full">reproducibility</a>. This is very important because being able to reproduce research verifies results and means it can be trusted. Biobanks have high quality assurance and control measures in place, making them safe, reliable spaces to store material for repeated testing that could lead to trustworthy science that saves lives.</p>
<p>This is why low and middle income countries, like those in Africa, should prioritise setting up biobanks despite the high cost and other challenges.</p>
<h2>A reproducibility crisis</h2>
<p>A <a href="https://www.nature.com/news/1-500-scientists-lift-the-lid-on-reproducibility-1.19970">recent study</a> has shown that, across the world, scientists’ ability to reproduce research is staggeringly low. More than 70% of the 1500 scientific participants in the study could not replicate other scientists’ experiments. And half were unable to replicate their own experiments.</p>
<p>This costs a huge amount of money. In the US alone, the estimated financial burden of not being able to replicate research translates to approximately <a href="http://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article?id=10.1371/journal.pbio.1002165">$28 billion per year</a> that’s being spent on life science research which cannot be replicated.</p>
<p>Why don’t researchers rigorously investigate the reproducibility of experimental works before releasing the findings? There are a few reasons.</p>
<p>Firstly, research costs money; costs for any lab are already high and staff may not want to spend more than they believe is necessary.</p>
<p>Secondly, reproducing experiments takes time – and when scientists are developing novel therapies for diseases, for instance, time can cost lives.</p>
<p>The study also identified study design, biological samples, laboratory protocols, and data analysis and reporting as issues. So it stands to reason that implementing standard best practices and adhering to them could partially ease <a href="https://www.nature.com/news/1-500-scientists-lift-the-lid-on-reproducibility-1.19970">the crisis</a>.</p>
<p>That’s where biobanks come in.</p>
<h2>Quality assurance</h2>
<p>Most biobanks, whether small or large, have high quality assurance and control measures in place. Without this, they won’t generate the trust needed to function well. They ensure that sample transportation, processing, storage and analysis are done according to standard methods. They manage risk to ensure the biospecimens they store for different researchers or teams are viable and retain their quality.</p>
<p>Biobanks which follow best practice guidelines can be mediators for reproducible scientific research as they ensure that protocols are applied in a standardised, harmonised way.</p>
<p>This means that researchers who use a biobank can have some level of comfort that, at a bare minimum, any biological sample used in an experiment is consistent and controlled. For example, biobanks that use <a href="https://blog.capterra.com/what-is-a-laboratory-information-management-system/">Laboratory Information Management System</a> software can track and log a sample’s life cycle to ensure its quality hasn’t been compromised. For example, <a href="https://www.baobablims.org">Baobab LIMS</a> was developed at the University of the Western Cape as a management system for human biobanks.</p>
<p>Sample quality is critical in research, as it will influence later analysis. Biobanks are also an important tool for smaller laboratories that don’t have the finances to get international accreditation, or don’t have the right equipment for analysing specific samples.</p>
<h2>Benefits outweigh costs</h2>
<p>It may seem like a no-brainer to establish biobanks everywhere, given all the benefits they offer.</p>
<p>But there are some barriers to this happening in the developing world. Cost is one. Biobanks are generally non-profit. Non-commercial medical biobanks cannot sell specimens, as this would equate to trade in human tissue and is unethical. So biobanks’ fee structure is aimed entirely at cost-recovery.</p>
<p>There’s also a lack of highly skilled and trained personnel. There are some international certificates and courses specifically for biobanking, offered in <a href="http://www.ctrnet.ca/education/education_program">North America</a> and <a href="https://wwwfr.uni.lu/formations/fstc/certificate_principles_of_biobanking">Europe</a> but for the most part, skilled scientists could be trained to become proficient and staff biobanks.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/100035/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />These issues should be dealt with by policy makers, governments and science stakeholders. The benefits of establishing more biobanks clearly outweigh the costs – especially in the face of the ever increasing direct and indirect cost of research that cannot be reproduced and the growing need to preserve Africa’s rich genomic resources.</p>
<p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/dominique-anderson-517434">Dominique Anderson</a>, Postdoctoral researcher in Metagenomics, <em><a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-the-western-cape-1018">University of the Western Cape</a></em>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/alan-christoffels-484169">Alan Christoffels</a>, DST/NRF Research Chair in Bioinformatics and Public Health Genomics, <em><a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-the-western-cape-1018">University of the Western Cape</a></em>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/carmen-swanepoel-517348">Carmen Swanepoel</a>, Principal Medical Scientist within the Division of Haematopathology, <em><a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/stellenbosch-university-1439">Stellenbosch University</a></em></p>
<p>This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-biobanks-can-help-improve-the-integrity-of-scientific-research-100035">original article</a>.</p>


Here’s how biobanks can help improve scientists’ ability to replicate results and experiments

<p>By <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/louise-bezuidenhout-404786">Louise Bezuidenhout</a>, Research fellow in science and technology studies/bioethics, University of Oxford.</p>
<p>How does one train science students without equipment? As a <a href="https://www.insis.ox.ac.uk/people/dr-louise-bezuidenhout">sociologist of science</a> specialising in African countries, this is a question I get asked with sad regularity.</p>
<p>How, African science, technology, engineering and maths educators ask me, can the next generation of globally competitive scientists be trained using teaching laboratories that lack even the most basic equipment?</p>
<p>One of the most basic elements of molecular biology, for example, is to learn about DNA: how genes are expressed and converted into proteins. To do this, students must able to conduct their own experiments – and for that, they need access to a <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/probe/docs/techpcr/">polymerase chain reaction</a> to amplify their DNA samples.</p>
<p>While teaching labs in the global North may have dozens of polymerase chain reaction machines, African departments may have just one per laboratory, if at all. Instead of being able to run their own DNA experiments, students in these labs have to work in groups or watch a demonstration by a tutor.</p>
<p>The critical importance of conducting practical experiments as well as learning theory sets science education apart from many other taught courses. The value of this practical training is two-fold: first, it provides an in-depth understanding of the biological systems that are being studied. Second, the practice of science in industry or academia is essentially a practical undertaking. Any graduate wishing to work as a scientist must have a good grasp of how to conduct experiments and produce data.</p>
<p>While there are increasing amounts of often free educational resources available online: videos, Massive Open Online Courses, papers and tutorials, they can’t make up for students getting their hands dirty – so to speak – at the lab bench</p>
<p>To truly understand their discipline, students need the opportunity to interact with laboratory equipment <a href="http://www.gettingpractical.org.uk/documents/EmmaWoodleyarticle.pdf">through practical instruction</a>. Learning how to conduct experiments and deal with both the successes and failures of bench science is <a href="http://sites.nationalacademies.org/cs/groups/dbassesite/documents/webpage/dbasse_073330.pdf">an important part</a> of developing as a scientist. The skills that students develop through practical experiments are also fundamental for progressing into successful graduate studies and research careers.</p>
<p>There’s been considerable recent support for science and related education in Africa. That includes a rising number of training programmes, graduate scholarships and research support. However, regional universities are still battling to properly equip teaching laboratories. There isn’t much money specifically earmarked for this task. Educators often have to rely on equipment bought out of hard-won grants, or rely on the increasingly aged equipment left over from forgotten past projects. New, imported equipment is prohibitively expensive. It’s also difficult to maintain.</p>
<p>This is why my colleagues <a href="https://www.cs.ox.ac.uk/people/helena.webb/">Helena Webb</a>, <a href="http://www.cs.ox.ac.uk/people/jason.nurse/">Jason Nurse</a>, <a href="https://www.cs.ox.ac.uk/people/marina.jirotka/">Marina Jirotka</a> and I designed <a href="https://labhackathon.wordpress.com/">LabHack</a>. It’s an event that aims to inspire budding innovators to take matters into their own hands and build the equipment they need to learn. Undergraduate student teams compete to design low-cost versions of basic laboratory equipment using hardware available in a local African context. Our first LabHack was held at the Harare Institute of Technology in Zimbabwe in June 2018. The resulting prototypes were highly inventive and far cheaper than anything that’s commercially available.</p>
<h2>Innovation in action</h2>
<p>During the Zimbabwe LabHack teams of students from four universities, as well as local hobbyists and one high school team, demonstrated their prototypes for low cost laboratory equipment built out of locally-available hardware.</p>
<p>All the teams were interdisciplinary, which was important not only for design issues but also offered a means of building strong links for future collaborations.</p>
<p>The teams were asked to design one of three types of basic but crucial lab equipment: a magnetic stirrer, a polymerase chain reaction machine, and a centrifuge.</p>
<p>There was also an open challenge for students to build other types of equipment that would be used in teaching their specific discipline of science. In this category entries included a digital microscope and a bioprocessor, which is used for culturing cells.</p>
<p>Each team was supplied with an Arduino kit, a single-board microcontroller that allows the equipment to be programmable. Apart from that they were self-funded and used easily available local resources. No team spent more than $100 on their final designs – a clear demonstration of how innovative thinking can produce highly inventive, working prototypes.</p>
<p>The teams also participated in a range of workshops hosted by local tech companies, which exposed students to emerging technologies like 3D printing and 3D scanning. Having these companies present their working models for tech-driven job creation in Zimbabwe also illustrated the possibilities of creating tech start-ups for possible future career choices.</p>
<h2>Smart prototypes</h2>
<p>The prize for best prototype went to a team that created a programmable centrifuge whose casing was predominantly designed out of plywood and cardboard. It was fully functional and significantly cheaper than any commercially-available models. Another winner created a centrifuge that relied on a motor taken from a toy car.<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/100792/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />These innovations effectively demonstrated the potential for equipping low-resourced educational laboratories with low-cost alternatives to expensive, imported equipment. We are hoping – with enough funding and sponsorship – that the Zimbabwe event will be the first of many LabHacks on the African continent. These could build a new community of science learners who study science in Africa, on machines designed by Africans for an African context.</p>
<p>This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/a-new-way-to-equip-africas-science-labs-get-students-to-build-their-own-100792">original article</a>.</p>


Here’s how Africa’s science students can build the equipment they need to learn

<p>Astronomy in Africa will take a giant leap forward with <a href="https://www.gov.za/speeches/science-and-technology-minister-mmamoloko-kubayi-ngubane-launches-64-dish-meerkat-13-jul-10">the unveiling</a> of the 64-dish MeerKAT array in South Africa on July 13. The MeerKAT will be the largest and most sensitive radio telescope in the southern hemisphere until the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) is completed.</p>
<p>Why is this such a big deal? After all, Africa has many challenges more pressing than exploring the universe. But, as my colleagues and I recently argued in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-018-0524-y">an article for Nature Astronomy</a>, astronomy occupies a special place among the many efforts to address development challenges. It has a unique ability to stimulate thoughts of “what is possible” in the minds of marginalised communities, women and children.</p>
<p>Astronomy connects philosophical, cultural and inspirational elements with the cutting edge of science and technology. This affords the discipline a unique advantage to foster socioeconomic development. For instance, astronomy has been used in <a href="http://www.astro4dev.org/blog/category/tf2/astronomy-for-literacy/">Sierra Leone</a> to improve middle school pupils’ literacy. It worked because they loved what they were learning.</p>
<p>Astronomy techniques are also used across sectors from <a href="http://www.astro.ljmu.ac.uk/astro-ecology">conservation</a> to <a href="https://www.darabigdata.com/">medical imaging</a>.</p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.astro4dev.org/">International Astronomical Union’s Office of Astronomy for Development</a> uses astronomy to drive positive developmental change. It has ten regional and language centres. Three are in Africa, in Ethiopia, Nigeria and Zambia. The global coordinating office is situated in South Africa.</p>
<p>Our challenge as astronomers is not only to grow the discipline in Africa. We also need to ensure that this growth is accompanied by the educational, technology transfer and societal engagement initiatives that can drive the continent’s development priorities.</p>
<h2>Skills training</h2>
<p>The funding we disburse has been used to run a number of programmes aimed at developing skills among school and university students.</p>
<p>One of these was the <a href="http://www.astro4dev.org/blog/category/tf1/madagascar-astronomy-python-workshop/">Madagascar Astronomy Python Workshop</a> in 2017. It focused on practical coding in the Python programming language for university students and lecturers. The aim was to build on astronomy tools that participants can develop for their own research and teaching, not necessarily in the field of astronomy.</p>
<p>At school level the <a href="https://awbnigeria.com/2018/05/07/2018-girls-astronomers-camp/">Girls Astronomy Camp</a> was held in Abuja, Nigeria earlier this year. This not only dealt with education. It also tackled the <a href="http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0025/002534/253479E.pdf">large gender disparity</a> in science, technology, engineering and maths fields, which can be a complex, socio-cultural issue in many regions.</p>
<p>It’s crucial for educational interventions to address the fact that astronomy students often find employment outside the field. Students must learn science in a way that allows them to build their repertoire of transferable skills.</p>
<p>So the Office of Astronomy for Development has funded a number of Joint Exchange Development Initiative workshops in <a href="http://www.astro4dev.org/blog/category/tf1/jedi-2014/">Namibia</a>, <a href="http://www.astro4dev.org/blog/category/uplifting-the-mozambican-astronomy-community/">Mozambique</a> and <a href="http://www.astro4dev.org/blog/category/tf1/big-data-in-astronomy-a-tool-for-social-innovation/">Mauritius</a>. These workshops focus on direct transfer of specific skills in an informal but intense learning environment. They’re also excellent for data science skills, which are particularly important for economic growth and jobs in emerging markets.</p>
<p>To support this need and bridge the data science and astronomy communities, the Office of Astronomy for Development hosts a <a href="https://datascience.astro4dev.org">repository for data science resources and code examples</a>.</p>
<h2>Beyond disciplinary boundaries</h2>
<p>Astronomy can also be put to use in perhaps surprising ways to boost development.</p>
<p>One of our projects, <a href="http://www.astro4dev.org/blog/category/tf3/citizen-science-developing/">Accessible Citizen Science for the Developing World</a>, has married health issues with astronomy skills through running a proof-of-concept type intervention. Retinal defects are common, but curable. <a href="https://www.peekvision.org/">Peek Vision</a>, a social enterprise that works to bring better vision and health to everyone, developed a retinal imaging device that can be easily used, even in rural Kenya, with an Android phone.</p>
<p>But there weren’t enough qualified ophthalmologists at hand to use the app to diagnose retinal problems. So Peek Vision teamed up with astronomers at a citizen science portal called the <a href="https://www.zooniverse.org/">Zooniverse</a>. In the same way that the citizen scientists had previously worked to classify thousands of galaxies, they were called on to learn how to identify retinal problems on the Zooniverse portal.</p>
<p>Such partnerships are quintessential examples of working together across disciplinary boundaries to achieve development outcomes.</p>
<h2>Creating spaces</h2>
<p>There are numerous other initiatives that contribute to development through astronomy. Large astronomical infrastructure investments like MeerKAT aim to stimulate the technology industry and advance the development of technical skills.</p>
<p>International aid initiatives with a science focus like <a href="https://www.dara-project.org/">Development in Africa with Radio Astronomy</a> (DARA) and its sister project, <a href="https://www.darabigdata.com/">DARA Big Data</a>, are using the momentum generated through the SKA programme to develop skills and train more astronomy students for the continent.</p>
<p>Of course, the few examples illustrated in this article hardly begin to address the myriad challenges facing Africa and the world. Technology and science can only do so much: these challenges have solutions that are, at least in part, driven by human values.</p>
<p>That’s why conversations that span natural and social sciences are key to making development progress on the continent. The Office of Astronomy for Development is one of the spaces hosting these conversations. We’re challenging astronomers and other scientists to reach across the disciplinary boundaries to explore how their skills can help Africa meet its development goals.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/99714/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><em>Author’s note: the article on which this piece is based <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-018-0524-y">first appeared</a> in Nature and was co-authored by Ramasamy Venugopal, Munira Hoosain, Tawanda Chingozha &amp; Kevin Govender.</em></p>
<p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/vanessa-mcbride-514506">Vanessa McBride</a>, Astronomer, <em><a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/international-astronomical-unions-office-of-astronomy-for-development-3542">International Astronomical Union&#8217;s Office of Astronomy for Development</a></em></p>
<p>This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/a-big-moment-for-africa-why-the-meerkat-and-astronomy-matter-99714">original article</a>.</p>


How the #MeerKAT 64 telescope is set to benefit Africa

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<p>Joining CNBC Africa to discuss strengthening of Africa’s innovation systems, is Dr. Youssef Travaly, Next Einstein Forum Vice-President of Science, Innovation &#038; Partnerships.</p>


Rwanda set to host Next Einstein Forum 2018

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<p>Joining CNBC Africa is Modupe Mujota, Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology to discuss ways to drive investments into the Ogun State&#8217;s education sector.</p>


Investing in Ogun state’s education sector

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<p>The advent of the fourth industrial revolution is expected to impact negatively more so on women as most women do not have specialised skills that will be required for job opportunities. Ndoni Mcunu, founder Black Women in Science joins CNBC Africa for more.</p>


Tech revolution: Women fight not to lose out

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<p>CNBC Africa&#8217;s Gugulethu Cele unpack the mandate of the Council on Innovation with its Chairperson, Prof Cheryl de la Rey.</p>


Connection between innovation and economic growth

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<p>CNBC Africa&#8217;s Gugulethu Cele caught up with Gabriel Goddard, lead economist for Southern Africa at the World Bank Group’s Trade &amp; Competitiveness Global Practice to discuss to unpack South Africa&#8217;s effort in enabling environment for innovation.</p>


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