Dear Colleagues

Greetings from the team at Research Africa!

It was indeed a great pleasure for our COO, Ms Karen Bruns, to have met with all of you during the SARIMA workshop and subsequent meetings in Mauritius last week.

I would like to share with you a brief video clip which highlights the work that we at Research Africa are doing across the African continent in order to support and facilitate access to research and development funding opportunities for African institutions.

Click here to download the Research Africa YouTube video.

We certainly look forward to partnering with you and fellow colleagues in Mauritius as we seek to connect the African research world to the global knowledge economy in order to facilitate advancement. An institutional subscription to Research Africa, accessed via www.research-africa.net will ensure that you and your affiliated institution will begin to benefit from the pre-filtered and well-presented information on thousands of current funding opportunities available to African scholars, researchers, think tanks and innovation and development practitioners.

Remember, in order to keep abreast of relevant funding opportunities and to give your institution/ research council adequate time to apply for targeted funding, speak to us about setting up automated e-mail alerts on Research Professional Africa today. To find out more about a customised subscription  to Research Professional Africa, contact our dedicated customer care consultants via e-mail at info@research-africa.net, call Shaun / Pfungwa on 27 (0)21 447 5484, join our group on Facebook, follow us on Twitter , link to our page on LinkedIn or subscribe to our channel on YouTube

We are also able to offer your institution a complimentary 3 week trial of the platform so that you're able to experience for yourself the key features and benefits of the platform. Research Professional Africa is proud to be the world leading platform on funding opportunities and funding news as we continue to connect the African research world to enable development.

I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Kind Regards,

Shaun Stuart
Research Africa
Marketing & Customer Care Manager

Produced by:Research Research (Africa) (Pty) Ltd
A307 Gate House, Black River Park, 2 Fir Street, Observatory, 7925, South Africa
27 21 447 5484 (tel)
27 21 447 9152 (fax)
info@research-africa.net
www.researchresearch.com/africa

Web 2.0 Training

The Web 2.O training first training session will be launched soon.

NEW FAOSTAT Platform

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

New FAOSTAT Platform The leading statistical database on food and agriculture  The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has launched the new FAOSTAT platform as part of the Organization’s mission to increase access to food security and agricultural data http://faostat.fao.org. New features include a data browsing option, which allows users to query and view data by domain and country through interactive maps, tables, and charts, and an improved search function. Users can also now compare data from different countries for selected time periods and perform complex statistical analysis thanks to a new analytical tool. “The improved interface and new features on the site will make it easier for users across the globe to utilize FAO data for research, policy, and advocacy work,” says Statistics Division Director Pietro Gennari. “It will be a new way of interacting with FAO data.” The site, which is available in English, French and Spanish, continues to provide free access to data from 245 countries and territories. Users are now able to download, manipulate and reuse data compiled by FAO in a more user-friendly way. We welcome your feedback on the new pilot platform at FAOSTAT@fao.org.   FAO Statistics Division. Rome, 16 MAY 2012

Online Books at Elsevier

Online Books on ScienceDirect are written, reviewed, and edited by renowned contributors and offer the essential cross-disciplinary content your patrons need-and the online convenience & mobility they want. We would like to recommend the following subject collections of eBooks on ScienceDirect to compliment your current library holdings, enabling your patrons to build the essential background they need to facilitate their research outcomes:

• Agricultural and Biological Sciences
• Biomedical Science and Medicine
• Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Featured titles from our 2012 Front List collection of eBooks in these subject areas include:
Click here to find out more about our extensive list of e-books collections on ScienceDirect.
Why add e-books collections on ScienceDirect?

• World Class Content: The highest caliber content available today.
• 24/7 Access: Multiple users can access this content whenever and wherever they'd like.
• Instant Linking and Searching: Links to journals and online resources allow instant access to expanded information.
• No Digital Rights Management
• Mobility enabled by ScienceDirect apps including the eReader format app which allows users to download to most mobile devices

THE EVENT OF THE YEAR: UN Conference on Sustainable Development – “Rio +20”

This year, Rio de Janeiro will once again be in the limelight for hosting the UN Conference on Sustainable Development christened “Rio +20”. It would offer a media-hyped platform for stakeholders representing international agencies, governments, private sector, NGOs, academia, civil society, etc. to voice out respective concerns. At this stage, building up a holistic partnership framework is highly desirable so that discussions can be turned into actions. It is well known that a level-playing field is hard to attain with regards to the environment as all countries have their own realities and specificities, but it is strongly hoped that this mass gathering officially starting on June 20th would be constructive to enough instill consciousness that we are all bound to one common planet, one common fate. At Rio, it is our future which would be discussed therein.
Follow RIO at this link.
There are loads of information on the agricultural sector as well.


Rio+20 Quote of the week:
"It is time to say goodbye to our old model of growth, fuelled by inefficient, wasteful, environmentally and socially unsustainable exploitation of resources. It is time to regain balance and pursue a sustainable path, taking into account the Earth’s regenerative and carrying capacities. It is time to achieve social equity and to ensure coherence, integration and implementation in our renewed commitment to sustainable development."
-Sha Zukang

World Environment Day 2012: “Green Economy: Does it include you?”

 

The 2012 theme for World Environment Day is Green Economy: Does it include you? Evidently, there are two parts to this theme and the first tackles the subject of the Green Economy. This is where some people shut off their minds because they find the concept of the Green Economy a little too complex to understand. On the contrary, the Green Economy is really something that is applicable all around you and it is easy to imagine how one can fit in it.  

The UN Environment Programme defines the Green Economy as one that results in improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities. In its simplest expression, a green economy can be thought of as one which is low carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive.

Practically speaking, a Green Economy is one whose growth in income and employment is driven by public and private investments that reduce carbon emissions and pollution, enhance energy and resource efficiency, and prevent the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services. These investments need to be catalyzed and supported by targeted public expenditure, policy reforms and regulation changes.

But what does all this mean for you? Well, this essentially what the second part of the theme is all about. If the Green Economy is about social equity and inclusiveness then technically it is all about you! The question therefore asks you to find out more about the Green Economy and assess whether, in your country, you are being included in it.

To learn more about the Green Economy bookmark the World Environment Day website, or follow UNEP on Twitter and Facebook, and we shall be unraveling the concept of what the Green Economy really is and what it means to you ahead of World Environment Day.


In the local context, an exhibition on climate change was held at the Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre, with the financial support of the Japanese Government, through the UNDP under the Africa Adaptation Programme to mark this day. The World Environment Day celebrations have continued to provide a vehicle to stimulate environmental consciousness, create awareness and educate the public on environmental issues.
This exhibition will create awareness among the students and the public on the issue of climate change and expose them to a wide range of information sources about the topic such as panel based exhibitions, interactive exhibits, games and documentary films so that they learn in a fun and informal manner. Go and Visit i!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Research Africa

 At the SARIMA workshop last week, the overseas delegates gave an overview of a database that tracks external funds for the African Continent. It is called Research Africa.

Research Africa is the only publication to comprehensively track research policy across Africa’s capital cities and universities, providing detailed coverage of research-related issues. Compiled by an experienced editorial staff in Cape Town, South Africa, Research Africa is published online with a thorough, weekly digest of research policy news from all over the continent.Research Africa offers comprehensive, global coverage of news about science, technology and innovation policies, and the use of research to provide solutions to Africa’s development needs. It is also the definitive source of information about sponsors of African science and development research funding programmes, and brings you details of all their calls for applications for funding.

External Funding Workshop

Some 30 research managers and researchers from research institutions in Mauritius gathered this morning at the R. Burrenchobay Lecture Theatre at the University of Mauritius (UoM) for a two-day training workshop (12 and 13 June 2012) on Increasing external funding for research. Prof S. Facknath, Assoc Prof A. Ruggoo and Mr. K. Boodhoo represented the Faculty of Agriculture.
The event is organised by the Southern African Research and Innovation Management Association (SARIMA) in collaboration with the Consultancy and Contract Research Centre of the UoM.

The SARIMA works towards the promotion of best practices in management and administration of research and innovation in the SADC region. Its objectives are to raise awareness on the value of a strong research and innovation system and the contribution it can make to economic and social development as well as promote appropriate national and institutional policies supporting research and innovation. The Association also endeavours to bolster African science technology and innovation, including addressing the asymmetries in access to, and diffusion of, knowledge between North and South.

New Dean at the Faculty of Agriculture

Professor Yasmina Jaufeerally Fakim has been nominated Dean of the Faculty as from 11 June 2012 for a period of 3 years.
Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TRAINING IN WEB 2.O- WANT TO KNOW MORE APPLY NOW

 DEAR VALUED GRADUATES, PARTNERS AND STAKEHOLDERS

The Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Mauritius in collaboration with the Food and Agricultural Research Council (FARC) will be holding 2 training workshops on the use of Web 2.0 tools Agricultural and allied sectors.  The aim of the workshop is to help our stakeholders to better manage information, improve its dissemination as well as improve collaboration among various stakeholders. More information is available below.

I consider that the exposure To such new web based tools will consolidate YOUR capacity to facilitate information exchange in the agricultural and associated area at the national, international and regional level.

I therefore wish you will avail of this opportunity to get trained in this fast moving area and I thank you for APPLICATION.

Entitlements

During each event, the organisers will provide access to computers, lunch and refreshments, and distribute copies of CTA publications and instructional material.

Warm Regards and Best Wishes.

  
Dr S J SANTCHURN

Ag Dean of Faculty

How to apply

If you are interested in applying, please click on this link to complete the online form. On the form you will have to make a choice for which event to apply.

Deadline for applications: June 13, 2012

Feedback

The organisers will inform successful applicants about the status of their application two week before the commencement of the course. Successful applicants will receive confirmation letters and others will also be duly informed of the results of their application.

Responsibilities

Accepted participants will be responsible for all costs related to their travel to and from the venue at the Faculty of Agriculture, their accommodation, breakfast and supper and their daily subsistence allowances.

 TRAINING DETAILS

Venue: Faculty of Agriculture, University of Mauritius, Réduit, Mauritius

Dates: July 9 - 13; and July 23 - 27, 2012 (9:00 - 17:00)

Technological innovation is taking place at a breath-taking pace. Simple, open source internet-based applications and services designed to enhance on-line collaboration are now available to the wider public at little or no cost at all. These new online technologies known as Web 2.0 applications – in some cases termed as ‘social media’ - enable people to collaborate to create, share and publish information.

The Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation EU-ACP (CTA) has a mandate to facilitate access to and dissemination of information in the fields of agriculture and rural development in 78 countries in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific (ACP). Supporting the adoption of Web 2.0 applications represents a great opportunity for meeting it.

The Faculty of Agriculture, University of Mauritius (UoM) in collaboration with CTA and the Food and Agricultural Research Council (FARC) will host two 5-day  Web 2.0 Learning Opportunities in July, 2012. Participants will be introduced to selected web 2.0 applications including social media and will learn how to use them hands-on.

Each Learning Opportunity will cover advanced online searching, getting information served via alerts and RSS, collaborating remotely using wikis and Google Docs, using VoIP, online mapping and social networking. Participants will get a chance to see what others have done, get hands-on experience on how to use innovative applications, and assess how they could adopt these innovations within the context of their work and organisation.

These Learning Opportunities form part of CTA initiatives that support development partners in networking, accessing and disseminating information more effectively.

Programme of the Learning Opportunity

• Introduction to the participatory World Wide Web (Web 2.0)  and to social media;
• Search Magic: How to conduct advanced multilingual online searches;
• Information Self Service: How to get selected information served to you via alerts and RSS feeds;
• Remote collaboration: How to develop content remotely using wikis and Google Docs;
• Online mapping: How to locate your organisation and your projects on an online map;

·         How to communicate voice over the internet at no cost;

·         Online publishing (micro-blogging and blogging);

·         Professional / corporate social networking (LinkedIn and Facebook);

·         Web 2.0 self-instruction (introduction to IMARK)

Participants - Eligibility and responsibilities

Participation in the Learning Opportunity is free of charge, but subject to acceptance by the organisers. 25 participants will be accepted for the event.

Eligibility criteria

·         be computer literate and conversant with browsing the Internet;

·         have regular access to a computer (ownership of a computer is an advantage);

·         be competent in  the use of the English language;

·         have an active personal e-mail account;

·         be actively engaged in agriculture and rural development / natural resource management / biodiversity conservation in the domains of ICT for development (ICT4D), policies, markets; publishing, communication and media; and

·         be resident in the Republic of Mauritius.

Giacomo Rambaldi Sr. Programme Coordinator Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Co-operation ACP-EU P.O. Box 380, NL 6700AJ Wageningen The Netherlands

Dr. Sunita J Santchurn Ag Dean of Faculty Faculty of Agriculture University of Mauritius Réduit Republic of Mauritius

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