{UAH} KAMPALA: 2014 International Annual Conference
Society for the Advancement of Science in Africa
2014 International Annual Conference
"Science Innovation for Economic Development"
Including a Joint Collaboration Colloquium with
The Global Knowledge Initiative
"The Africa Collaboration Colloquium"
"Pushing the Frontiers of Science in Africa"
Kampala, Uganda
May 6-9, 2014
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| Table of Contents | Page |
| 1 | Conference Program At-A-Glance | 3 |
| 2 | Presidential Welcome | 4 |
| 3 | Welcome Remarks by the National Local Organizing Committee Chairman | 5 |
| 4 | Welcome Remarks by the Science Committee Chairman | 6 |
| 5 | Acknowledgements | 7 |
| 6 | Keynote Speaker (Short Biographical Profile & Abstract) | 8 |
| 7 | Program Information | 9 - 14 |
| 8 | List of Presenters, Moderators and Panelists | 14 - 16 |
| 9 | Abstracts | 16 - 39 |
| 10 | Programming Committee | 40 |
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| 10.1 International Committee | 40 |
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| 10.2 Ugandan National Local Organizing Committee | 40 |
| 11 | SASA Organization Information | 40 |
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| 11.1 SASA Organizational Chart | 40 |
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| 11.2 SASA Interim Executive Committee | 41 |
| 12 | General Information & Kampala Guide | 41 |
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| 12.1 Kampala Area Facts | 41 |
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| 12.2 Economy | 42 |
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| 12.3 Education | 42 |
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| 12.4 Public Transport | 43 |
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| 12.5 Climate & Temperature | 43 |
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| 12.6 Banking Hours | 43 |
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| 12.7 Currency | 44 |
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| 12.8 Security | 44 |
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| 12.9 Airport | 44 |
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| 12.10 Health | 44 |
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| 12.11 Shopping Malls | 45 |
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| 12.12 Eating Out | 45 |
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| 12.13 Emergency Numbers | 47 |
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| 12.14 Other Points of Interest & Special Events | 47-48 |
1. CONFERENCE PROGRAM AT-A-GLANCE
| Conference Program At-A-Glance |
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| * TUESDAY 6 MAY 2014 * |
| 09:30 – 11:30 SASA Business Meeting (Closed) 13:00 – 14:30 The State of Science and Innovation for Economic Development in Africa Today Introductions & Keynotes |
| 14:30 – 17:30 Plenary Session 1: The Vision, Challenges, Hurdles and Pitfalls for African Science 18:30 - 20:00 Opening Reception & Welcoming Address |
| * WEDNESDAY 7 MAY 2014 *
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| 09:00 – 09:30 Positioning Africa's Science and Innovation for Enhanced Economic Development Welcome Remarks 09:30 – 10:30 Student Platform Session 11:00 – 12:30 Plenary Session 2 Economic Factors in Choosing a Science Career 13:30 – 17:30 Concurrent Scientific Sessions 1, 2, and 3 17:30 – 18:30 SASA Business Meeting (Closed) |
| * THURSDAY 8 MAY 2014 *
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| 08:00 – 18:00 SASA-GKI's "The Africa Collaboration Colloquium" Part 1: Aligning Challenges and Solutions Part 2: Matching for Impact |
| * FRIDAY 9 MAY 2014 * |
| Broadening the Impact of Science and Innovation for Africa's Future Development 08:00 – 10:00 Plenary Session 3 Translating Lecture and Laboratory Science into Science Innovation Keynote Address: Innovation for Economic Development 11:00 – 12:30 Plenary Session 4 International Collaboration and SASA Partnerships 13:30 – 15:00 Plenary Session 5 Impact of Advancement of Science and Innovation |
| 15:30 – 17:30 SASA Annual General Meeting (Open) |
| 19:00 – 21:00 Gala Dinner and Keynote Address by Nobel Prof. Tom Otiti CONFERENCE ADJOURNED |
2. PRESIDENTIAL WELCOME
The primordial beginnings and founding of SASA were in 2011, with its inaugural and first International Scientific Conference in 2013. But is this 2014 gathering the first anniversary or third anniversary of SASA? Historians will ponder that one. An anniversary is the date each year when a particular event recurs. An anniversary assumes a precise birthdate. SASA did not have a specific birth date but it was inaugurated as an organized entity and held its first international scientific conference in April 2013. It is not certain whether the primordial beginning or the inaugural event is the "birth date" of SASA. What is certain is that SASA is prodigiously young and this is its second international scientific conference.
Whether it is the first, second or third anniversary and notwithstanding the organizations obvious prodigious youngness, SASA has come very far. It has travelled, sailed and soared far without benevolent godfathers of funding. It has carried far above its weight with little or no diplomatic support. It has traversed difficult terrain without floundering or faltering. SASA will lead advancement of science in Africa and will endeavor without waver, to attract the interest of young aspirants in organized science.
We are here. We were there. We shall be over there. We are pulling it. Lifting it. Carrying the heavy ship of SASA without wavering. I take this opportunity to congratulate all who were there, are here and will be there. For it is a noble, and of Nobel grade, to be pulling, pushing, lifting and carrying the heavy ship of SASA single handed, bare handed but with unwavering determination until the many challenges of advancing science in Africa have been overcome. Until the societal benefits of advancing science in Africa have been realized. Until African scientists will have waken-up, organized fully, streamlined their act and pushed the frontiers of science in Africa to heights to be reckoned with globally.
SASA's vision is to apply science, scientific innovation and technological advances to improve the human condition in Africa. SASA envisions doing this by facilitating a multidisciplinary approach to scientific research which will help to build stronger connections to foster the exchange of valuable knowledge, increase accessibility to tangible resources, and the sharing of social capital to increase innovation capability. It is through this lens that we hope to allow for seemingly insurmountable obstacles to be overcome.
The annual scientific conference is but only one activity for concretizing the vision and the five mission objectives of SASA. In addition to the event itself, organizing this conference featured collaboration, coordination and facilitation of contacts about African scientific research, between scientists, research institutions, academic institutions, international societies and African government agencies and policy institutions. In that regard, SASA is proud to have partnered, collaborated and coordinated with the Global Knowledge Initiative, Gulu University, Muni University, Makerere University, Osaka University, Uganda National Council of Science and Technology, Youth Employment and Income Enhancement Project and the Pennsylvania State University. SASA is very honoured to have been associated with these organizations and institutions during the preparatory phase and ultimate event of the conference. Welcome to the Pearl of Africa and to the gentle and beautiful city of Kampala.
Joachim Kapalanga, MD, PHD
Executive President of SASA
3. WELCOME REMARKS BY THE NATIONAL LOCAL ORGANIZING
COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
Economic disparity between African countries and those in high-income regions of the world has promoted neo-colonialism of a complex nature. Political instability that bedevils almost every region in Africa undermines productive research on the continent. Inadequate investment in research by African governments compounds the problems of social and economic development. African academia and researchers too have not actively promoted capacity building in high tech, state of the art and cutting edge scientific research in biotechnology to support policy development and reform in agriculture, industry and health. As a result, most of Africa lags behind the rest of the world in all areas of development. The end result may see Africa slipping into eternal scientific slavery and plundering of its rich resources, both physical and biological.
The second international conference of the Society for the Advancement of Science in Africa (SASA) brings together the present generation of African researchers, their collaborators, sponsors and government representatives from all regions of the world. It is our hope that this conference will serve as a forum for conference participants to share knowledge and experiences to enhance the advancement of scientific enterprise in Africa on the basis of mutual trust, respect and common purpose for humanity. We also hope that researchers, sponsors and government representatives will use the conference to network and set up new collaborations in research for sustainable social and economic development in Africa.
It is essential that the older generation of African researchers from all fields of human endeavour work with future generation of researchers to set up a new kind of sustainable research enterprise characterised by novel strategies and mechanisms that help to overcome the problems of scientific inquiry and propel research development and process on the continent.
It is my humble pleasure to welcome all conference participants to the second international conference of SASA in Kampala, Uganda. On behalf of the National Local Organizing Committee, I express my sincere gratitude to all speakers, panellists, discussants, exhibitors, sponsors and government representatives that have spared time to take part in the events of the conference.
I wish every participant that has come from outside Uganda a pleasant stay in Kampala and Uganda, and safe return to their respective countries and families.
Professor Emilio Ovuga
Chairman, National Local Organizing Committee
4. WELCOME REMARKS BY THE SCIENCE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
It is self-evident that for various economic and political reasons, many African countries currently lag behind the rest of the industrialized world in scientific and medical research and development. However, the presence of intellectual islands scattered across the continent gives hope that this is only a transient situation on the cusp of undergoing a profound and beneficial change.
The Society for the Advancement of Science in Africa (SASA) hopes to catalyze and contribute to this needed evolution. It must be recognized at the outset that SASA is not, and does not claim to be, one traditional professional society among so many others, but a Society with the mission to contribute to the economic advancement of Africa through science.
During its Inaugural Meeting & First International Conference in Polokwane, Limpopo Province, South Africa, April 25-28, 2013, a total of 75 Abstracts submitted for possible presentation were retained (after scientific merit review) among a larger number of submissions. These contributions originated from African authors and their colleagues and collaborators worldwide. They included scientific papers, posters, and workshops. Such a huge response was a testimony to the need for an Africa-wide organization like SASA to channel this creativity and production. It was also an expression of the lively nascent state of science across that continent. Lastly, it was gratifying for the organizers and a validation of their hopes and aspirations for Africa.
We trust this Second Annual International Conference will likewise continue and augment SASA's participation to the greater African economic development. In its efforts to be economically relevant and practical, the SASA Scientific Committee has embarked on the theme "Science Innovation for Economic Development". It has assembled a program that we hope will not only interest the participants but provide the spear to forge ahead with the deserved economic contributions to local economies.
As one illustration of SASA's aims, and during the Conference, a one-day joint Collaboration Colloquium will be held with The Global Knowledge Initiative (Washington, D.C.). This institution is quite active in several African countries, including Uganda at the host University. The Colloquium theme is a case study of harnessing collaborative science and innovation for economic development, technology, training, and innovation in hay making for youth employment.
With great pleasure, I welcome all participants (speakers, session chairs, discussants, exhibitors, sponsors and government representatives) to this Second SASA Annual International Conference and wish them great reward and success. On behalf of the Scientific Committee, I express my sincere gratitude to all.
Prof. Alain L. Fymat
Chairman, Scientific Committee
5. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
SASA wishes to acknowledge the following entities and institutions (listed alphabetically) who have contributed to the success of the conference:
Busitema University, Uganda
Global Knowledge Initiative, Washington D.C., USA
Gulu University, Uganda
International Institute of Medicine and Science, California, USA
Makerere University, Uganda
Mbarara University, Uganda
Muni University, Uganda
Ontario University, Ontario, Canada
Osaka University, Japan
Pilot International, Kampala, Uganda
Uganda National Council on Science and Technology (UNCST), Uganda
Uganda Technology and Management University (UTEMA), Uganda
Western University, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Ontario, Canada
6. KEYNOTE SPEAKER – Nobel Prof. T. Otiti
Renewable Energy for Sustainable Development in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Energy is central to sustainable development and poverty reduction efforts in developing countries. It affects all aspects of development: social, economic and environment including livelihood, access to water, agricultural productivity, health, education and gender related issues. Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) cannot be met without major improvement in the quality and quantity of energy services.
Renewable Energy Technologies (RETs) were thought to have significant potential to contribute to the social economic development of the region. But this dream has not come true yet. The author intends to point out challenges facing dissemination of RETs and the contribution of renewable energy to sustainable development in the region, make conclusions and recommendations to improve RETs dissemination.
Prof. Thomas Otiti
Physics Department, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
7. PROGRAM INFORMATION
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| Notes: The number after each Abstract is that appearing on the list below and on SASA website. The name of the presenting author is underlined for co-authored Abstracts. |
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| The program below reflects the final program as updated prior to the meeting. |
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| * TUE 6 May * B1 | DAY 1
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| 08:00 – 12:00 | Registration | |||||
| 09:30 – 11:30 | SASA BUSINESS MEETING 1 - CLOSED Moderators: Prof. J. Kapalanga, Prof. A . Fymat, Prof. E. Ovuga Pre-General Program Business Agenda | |||||
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| SASA Overview SASA Organization and Management SASA Constitution Meeting Agenda and Late Changes Meeting Planning and Trouble Shooting Agenda for SASA Business Meeting 2 Other Business | |||||
| 11:30 – 12:30 | Lunch | |||||
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| THE STATE OF SCIENCE AND INNOVATION FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA TODAY | |||||
| K1 13:00 – 14:30 | Keynotes 1 : Welcome and Introductions Moderators: Prof. J. Kapalanga and Prof. E. Ovuga | |||||
| K1-1 13:00 – 13:15 | Prof. E. Ovuga Chairman, National Local Organizing Committee Welcoming Remarks | |||||
| K1-2 13:15 – 13:30 | Hon. Minister of Higher Education and Science, Uganda Setting the Stage: A Keynote Address | |||||
| K1-3 13:30 – 13:40 | Executive Director, Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST) | |||||
| K1-4 13:40 – 14:00 | Prof. Mkita, Prof. Kataoka and Dr. S. Kapig Science in Africa: What? How? Where?And Who? | |||||
| K1-5 14:00 – 14:30 | R. K. Nanyunjah Science Innovation for Economic Development - Workshop | |||||
| P1 14:30 – 17:30 | Plenary Session 1: The Vision, Challenges, Hurdles and Pitfalls for African Science Moderator: Prof. E. Ovuga | |||||
| P1-1 14:30 - 14:45 | R. K. Nanyunjah Societal Vision | |||||
| P1-2 14:45 - 15:00 | Prof. J. Ddumba-Sentamu Institutional Hurdles | |||||
| P1-3 15:00 - 15:15 | Prof. J. Ochleng Government Pitfalls | |||||
| P1-4 15:15 - 15:30 | Dr. P. Ndemere Policy Hurdles | |||||
| 15:30 – 16:00 | Refreshments & Networking – Exhibits Open | |||||
| P1-5 16:00 – 16:30 | S. E. Farley and A. Gerard International Economic Aid and Science | |||||
| P1-6 16:30 – 17:00 | Prof. B. Shetty International Collaboration in Science | |||||
| 18:30 – 20:00 | Prof. J. Kapalanga, SASA Executive President and Kampala City Council Executive Director Opening Reception and Welcome Address | |||||
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| * WED 7 MAY * | DAY 2 POSITIONING AFRICA'S SCIENCE AND INNOVATION FOR ENHANCED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Today we look at the work being done at the cutting edge of science in Africa across a multitude of disciplines and explore how young scientists build promising careers | |||||
| 07:00 - 19:00 | Registration | |||||
| K2 09:00 – 09:15 09:15 – 09:30 | Welcome Remarks Vice Chancellor, Gulu University Vice Chancellor, Makerere University | |||||
| SP 09:30 – 10:30 | Student Platform Session Co-Chair: Dr. F. A. Akena, A. Bombom, V. Nyakato and Dr. E. Okello | |||||
| SP-1 09:30 – 09:50 | V. Nampewo A Case Study of Service Delivery in the Health Sector in Uganda (Abstract # 19) | |||||
| SP-2 09:50 – 10:10 | W. Kyegombe, R. Mutesi, D. Bakulumpagi, I. G. Walufu, S. Maweje and A. Openy (Supervisors: M. Maghanga and A. Ocaya) Use of Herbal Medicines Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic at Kiryandongo Hospital (Abstract # 20) | |||||
| SP-3 10:10 – 10:30 | S. Nabayinda Practical Innovation for Economic Development: A Case Study of Pilot International Community Centre | |||||
| 10:30 – 11:00 | Refreshments and Networking – Exhibits Open | |||||
| P-2 11:00 – 12:30 | Plenary Session 2: Economic Factors in Choosing a Science Career Moderators: Vice Chancellors/Professors Brain Trust: Prof. V. Baryamureeba, Dr. R. Edema, Prof. C. Dranzoa; Prof. Z.D. Kazamira; Prof. P. K. Mbabazi; Prof. M. Okwakol; Prof. Rubaihayo; Prof. D. Sawradda | |||||
| 12:30 – 13:30 | Lunch Break & Networking – Exhibits Open | |||||
| S-1 13:30 – 15:00 | Concurrent Scientific Session 1 – Social Science Research Co-Chairs: Dr. C. Okumu, Prof. M. Okwakol, Mr. Tumwesigye | |||||
| S1-1 13:30 – 13:50 | C. Dranzoa (Abstract # 11) Advancement of Science and Women in Science: Strengthening Partnerships for the Promotion of Women in Science | |||||
| S1-2 13:50 – 14:10 | V. Nakata, C. B. Rwabukwali and N. Holvoet (Abstract # 6) Uganda's Gendered Land use System: Do Women's Land Rights Affect Maternal Health? | |||||
| S1-3 14:10 – 14:30 | L. Huizink (Abstract # 7) Is Development Aid Crippling Local Economies? You Can't Compete with Free – A Case Study | |||||
| S1-4 14:30 – 14:50 | R. K. Nanyunja (Abstract # 1) The Green Ideology: A Society Vision for the Current and Future Generations | |||||
| 14:50 - 15:10 | H. C. Kisembo (Abstract # 24) Information Communication Technology for Development | |||||
| 15:00 – 15:30 | Refreshments and Networking – Exhibits Open | |||||
| S-2 13:30 – 17:30 | Concurrent Scientific Session 2 – Biomedical Research Co-Chairs: Prof. A. L. Fymat and Prof. T. Horii | |||||
| S2-1 13:30 – 14:00 | T. Horii and T. G. Egwang (Abstract # 4) Clinical Development of Blood-stage Malaria Vaccine BK-SE36 in Uganda | |||||
| S2-2 14:00 – 14:30 | T. Mita, M. Sakurai, S. Yatsushiro, M. Kataoka and T. Horii (Abstract # 5) Worldwide Distribution of Polymorphisms Associated with Delayed Clearance of Malaria Parasites Following Artemisinin-Based Combination Therapy | |||||
| S2-3 14:30 – 15:00 | A. L. Fymat (Abstract # 12) Contributors to Sickness: Epigenetic Regulators of Many Gene Expressions | |||||
| 15:00 – 15:30 | Refreshments and Networking – Exhibits Open | |||||
| S2-4 15:30 – 16:00 | A. Gurib-Fakhim (Abstract # 9) Harnessing the Potential of African Plants for Addressing the Health Needs of the Continent | |||||
| S2-5 16:00 – 16:30 | A. L. Fymat (Abstract # 13) A Paradigm Shift in Medicine and Health Care | |||||
| S2-6 16:30 – 16:50 | J.P.R. Ochieng-Odero (Abstract # 8) Institutionalization of a Competitive Mechanism for Merit-Based Funding of Research for Health Activities in Kenya | |||||
| S2-7 16:50 – 17:10 | M. Maghanga, G. Tabo and E. Ovuga (Abstract # 16) Research Culture and Capacity Building at Gulu University – The Foundations of Social Development in Africa | |||||
| S2-8 17:10 – 17:30 | B. Shetty (Abstract # 25) Participatory Leadership in Education and Social Empowerment | |||||
| S-3 13:30 – 17:00 | Concurrent Scientific Session 3 – African Indigenous Knowledge and Traditional Healing Co-Chairs: Dr. V. Baryamureeba, V.C. Prof. W. O. Ellis, | |||||
| S3-1 13:30 – 14:00 | M. D.C. Komakech (Abstract # 21) Advancing Psychosocial Frontiers in EMPTCT Treatment: The Role of Self-Efficacy in Male Involvement (Abstract # 21) | |||||
| S3-2 14:00 – 14:30 | J. L. Mpagi (Abstract # 22) Science Culture is Key to Economic Development: Development in the Upcoming Generation | |||||
| S3 – 3 14:30 – 15:00 | N. N. Wane (Abstract # 3) Theorizing African Indigenous Knowledge: Implication for Science Education in Africa | |||||
| 15:00 – 15:30 | Refreshments and Networking – Exhibits Open | |||||
| S3 – 4 15:30 – 16:00 | F. A. Akena (Abstract # 2) Methodological Discussion on Indigenous Science Integration in Faculties of Higher Education | |||||
| S3 – 5 16:00 – 16:30 | E. Ovuga, F. A. Akena, and N. N. Wane (Abstract # 14) A Handbook on African Traditional Healing Approach and Research Practices | |||||
| S3-6 16:30 – 17:00 | L. Janani and L. Hillary (Abstract # 17) Mordanting Methods for Dyeing Cotton Fabrics with Dye from Albizia Coriara Plant Species | |||||
| S3-7 17:00 – 17:30 | S. Rwawiire and B. Tomkova (Abstract # 18) Valorization of Vegetable Biomass for Fiber and Engineering Composites | |||||
| 17:30 – 18:30 B2 | SASA AND GKI BUSINESS MEETING 2 - CLOSED Moderators: Prof. J. Kapalanga, Prof. A . Fymat, Prof. E. Ovuga | |||||
| 18:30 – 20:00 | Dinner | |||||
| 20:00 – 24:00 | Free Time to visit the City of Kampala | |||||
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| * THU 8 MAY * C | DAY 3 Ms Sara E. Farley, Mr. Andrew Gerard, and Ms Courtney O'Brien (Abstract # 10) THE AFRICA COLLABORATION COLLOQUIUM: A Case Study of Harnessing Collaborative Science and Innovation for Economic Development, Technology, Training, and Innovation in Hay Making for Youth Employment | |||||
| C-1 | Part 1: Acquiring Challenges and Solutions | |||||
| 08:00 – 08:30 | Registration | |||||
| 08:30 – 08:45 | Welcome Remarks | |||||
| 08:45 – 09:00 | S. Farley and A. Gerard, Global Knowledge Initiative (GKI) Setting the Stage | |||||
| 09:00 – 09:45 | Keynote Address (to be confirmed): Tackling Value Chain Challenges Through Collaborative Innovation and Joint Research | |||||
| 09:45 – 10:15 | Getting to Know Each Other: Partnered Introduction of Challengers and Collaborators | |||||
| 10:15 – 10:30 | Refreshments and Networking – Exhibits Open | |||||
| 10:30 – 11:30 | Moderated Challengers Roundtable: The 2014 Dairy Value Chain Collaboration Colloquium Challengers | |||||
| 11:30 – 13:00 | Facilitator: Global Knowledge Initiative (GKI) Mapping and Framing Food Security Challenges: A Dynamic Interactive Session Done in Breakout Groups | |||||
| 13:00 – 14:00 | Lunch | |||||
| C-2 | Part 2: Matching for Impact | |||||
| 14:00 – 15:30 | Analyzing Resource Needs and Availability for Solution | |||||
| 15:30 – 16:30 | Round-Robin Matchmaking Session Between Participants | |||||
| 16:30 – 18:00 | Discussion of Findings, Observations, and Preliminary Matches | |||||
| 18:00 – 20:00 | Dinner | |||||
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| * FRI 9 MAY * | DAY 4 BROADENING THE IMPACT OF SCIENCE AND INNOVATION FOR AFRICA'S FUTURE DEVELOPMENT Today, we fuel the fire to expand the impact of science and innovation in Africa. What would the future look like and how can we get there? | |||||
| P3 08:00 – 10:00 | Plenary Session 3: Translating Lecture and Laboratory Science into Science Innovation Moderator: Prof. E. Ovuga Discussants: Prof. B. Colenders; Vice Chancellor Prof. E.S.A.E.M. El Sheikh; Vice Chancellor Prof. S. Lwakabamba; Vice Chancellor Prof. M. W. Makgoba; Prof. S. Musisi; Prof. N. K. Sewankambo; Vice Chancellor Dr. Balakrishna Shetty, Vice Chancellor Prof. S. Simukanaga | |||||
| 10:00 – 10:30 | Refreshments | |||||
| K-3 10:30 – 11:00 | Keynote Address: Hon. Minister of Finance Planning and Economic Development Science Innovation for Economic Development | |||||
| P4 11:00 – 12:30 | Plenary Session 4: International Collaboration in Science Moderator: Nobel Prof. T. Otiti Discussants: Prof. P. K. Mbabazi; Vice Chancellor Prof. J. H. N. Pen-Mogi; Vice Chancellor Prof. J. D. Ssentamu; Dr. B. Torto | |||||
| 12:30 – 13:30 | Lunch and Networking | |||||
| P5 13:30 – 15:00 | Plenary Session 5: Impact of Advancement of Science and Innovation Moderator: Dr. M. Agaba; Dr. A. Alumai; Vice Chancellor Prof. J.O. Gyapong | |||||
| 15:00 – 15:30 | Refreshments and Networking – Exhibits Open | |||||
| 15:30 – 17:30 G | Annual General Meeting (Open) The SASA Interim Executive Council (IEC), the National Local Organizing Committee (NLOC), and their guests meet in an open session to review current Society and Conference business items | |||||
| 19:00 – 21:00 | Gala Dinner and Keynote Address: Nobel Prof. Tom Otiti " Renewable Energy for Sustainable Development" |
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| CONFERENCE ADJOURNED |
8. LIST OF PRESENTERS, MODERATORS AND PANELISTS
Keys:
A = Abstract (followed by its number)
B = Business Meeting (1, 2)
C = Collaboration Colloquium (1, 2)
G = General Meeting
K = Keynote (1, 2)
P = Plenary (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
SP = Student Platforms
S = Scientific (1, 2)
T = Theme (1 through 13)
W = Welcome Remarks (1, 2, 3)
A
Agaba, M. (P5)
Akena, Francis Adyanga (SP; SP-2; S3-4; A2;S3-5; A14)
Alumai, A. (P5)
B
Bakulumpagi, D. (SP-2; A20)
Baryamureeba, Venansius (P2; S3)
Bombom, A (SP)
C
Colenders, B. (P3)
D
Dranzoa, Christine (P-2; S1-1; A11)
Ddumba-Sentamu, J. (P1-2)
E
Edema, Richard (P2)
Egwang, Thomas (S2-1; A4)
Ellis, W.O. (S3)
El Sheikh, E. S. A. E. M. (P3)
F
Farley, Sarah E. (P1-5; B2; C; C1; C2; A10)
Fymat, Alain L. (B1; B2; R3; S2; S2-3; A12; S2; S2-3; A12; S2-5; A13)
G
Gerard, Andrew (P1-5; B2; C; C1; C2; A10)
Gurib-Fakim, Ameenah (S2-4; A9)
Gyapong, J. O. (P5)
H
Hillary, L. (S3-6; A17)
Holvoet, Nathalie (S1-2; A6)
Horii, Toshihiro (S2; S2-1; A4; S2-2; A5)
Huizink, Liesbeth (S1-3; A7)
J
Janani, L. (S3-6; A17)
K
Kapalanga Joachim Kapalanga (B1; B2; K1; R2)
Kapig, S. (K1-4)
Kataoka, Masatoshi (K1-4; S2-2; A5)
Kazamira, Z. D. (P-2)
Kisembo, Henry Clarke (S1-5; A24)
Komakech, Morris D.C. (S3-1; A21)
Kyegombe, W. (SP-2,; A20)
L
Lwakabamba, S. (P3)
M
Maghanga, M. (A19; SP-2; A20; S2-7; A16)
Makgoba, M. W. (P3)
Maweje, S. (SP-2; 20)
Mbabazi, P. K. (P-2; P4)
Mita, Toshihiro (S2-2; A5)
Mkita, (K1-4)
Musisi, S. (P3)
Mpagi, Joseph L. (S3-2; A22)
Mutesi, R. (SP-2; A20)
N
Nabayinda, Sandra (SP-3; A23)
Nakata, V. (S1-2; A6)
Nampewo, Vanessa (SP-1; A19)
Nanyunja, Robinah K. (K1-5; P1-1; S1-4; A1)
Ndemere, P P1-4)
Nyakato, Viola (SP; SP-1; A6)
Nyeko, J. H.
O
O'Brien, Courtney (B2; C; C1; C2; A10)
Ocaya, A. (SP-2; 20)
Ochieng-Odero, J. P. R. (S2-6; A8)
Ochleng, J (P1-3)
Okello, E. (SP; SP-3)
Okumu, C. (S1)
Okwakol, M (P2; S1)
Openy, A. (SP-2; A20)
Otiti, T. (K2; P4)
Ovuga, Emilio (B1; B2; K1; K1-1; P1; P3; A14; S2-7; A16; S3-5; A14))
P
Pen-Mogi, J. H. N. (P4)
R
Ramulah, M. (SP-2; 20)
Rubaihayo, (P-2)
Rwabukwali, Charles B. (S1-2; 6)
Rwawiiire, S. (S3-7; 18)
S
Sakurai, Miki (S2-2; A5)
Sawradda, D. (P-2)
Serwadda, D. (T11)
Sewankambo, N. K. (P3)
Shetty, B. (P1-6; P3; S2-8; A25)
Simukanaga, S. (P3)
Ssentamu. J.D. (P4)
T
Tabo, G. (S2-7; A16)
Tomkova, B. (S3-7; A18)
Tumwesigye, R. (S1)
Torto, B. (P4)
W
Wakabamba, S. L. (P3)
Walufu, I. E. (SP-2; A20)
Wane, Njoki N. (S3-3; A3; S3-5; A14)
Y
Yatsushiro, Shouki (S2-2; A5)
Abstract 1
The Green Ideology: A Society Vision for the Current and Future Generations
Robinah K. Nanyunja
Ecological Party of Uganda
Eastern African Greens Foundation
African Greens Foundation
The green ideology is a philosophy practiced and advocated for by a coalition of political activists. The goal is to advocate for peace, security, unity, preservation of the environment and the ecosystem for socio-economic development all over the world. These political activists are called "The Greens". The Green ideology rests on solidarity that can be expressed in three parts:
Solidarity with all the people of the world;
Solidarity with animals, nature, and the ecological system; and
Solidarity with future generations.
The Ecological Party of Uganda (EPU) is the Green political party in Uganda. We chose to form a Green political party to be able to engage all sectors of the society and government to implement the necessary changes in the society by means of democratic methods.
On the basis of our solidarity, and the need to implement the necessary societal changes, we formulated a policy (party platform), which I will be presenting to you. The party platform is our political vision, which can be expressed in a number of fundamental ideas. It illustrates how the green ideology can be used in our society to achieve improved quality of life coupled with environmental responsibility with the aim of obtaining balance in the ecological system. At the same time, it also intends to show how a functioning and fair economy is formed together with social safety and global solidarity.
Keywords: Green ideology, Ecological Party of Uganda, Society, Solidarity.
Abstract 2
Methodological Discussion on Indigenous Science Integration
in Faculties of Higher Education
Francis A. Adyanga
Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
The evolution of technology and telecommunication in the present era has contributed to increased transfer of western knowledge to non-western societies. However, the propagators of western knowledge dismiss indigenous knowledge of non-western societies as primitive, heathen, and unscientific and impose monolithic western knowledge as universal truth and science (Akena, 2012). And yet, western science is itself a form of indigenous knowledge of western society that was universalized through colonialism and evangelical Christian schools in former colonies. Accordingly, the dominant stream of modern science, the reductionist or mechanical paradigm, is a particular response/project of western man which came into being during the fifteenth, sixteenth and seventeenth centuries as the much acclaimed scientific revolution to respond to the challenges of the western societies (Goodstein, 1993 & Vandana, 1997). Modern science therefore became a social and political project. Its founding fathers developed thinking that was parochial, masculine, white, deeply misogynist (a cultural attitude of hatred for females) and dominating (Vandana, 1997). This specific science project however, was projected as a value-free system of knowledge which displaced all other knowledge systems by its universality.
My presentation will be premised on the findings of a study I conducted in two Uganda's universities on the integration of indigenous science in higher education. The paper will present key findings from the study. In the discussion, indigenous science will be defined and its key elements identified. Finally, the paper will discuss strategies for integration of indigenous science as articulated study participants. Potential benefits from indigenous science integration alongside dominant science discourse in formal education and broader society will also be discussed. The discussions will be guided by indigenous knowledge and anti-colonial theory as the underlying hypothetical frameworks.
Keywords: Indigenous science integration; western science.
Abstract 3
Theorizing African Indigenous Knowledge:
Implication for Science Education in Africa
University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
The key to theorizing African Indigenous Knowledge is to move educational debates beyond the goals of bringing about change only through western science as we know it today. This paper interrogates indigenous knowledge as a theory and a practice that is crucial for science education in Africa. In this paper I argue that indigenous knowledge is a living experience that is informed by ancestral voices.
The paper's main question is: how can the engagement of Indigenous Knowledge transform pedagogical approaches to science education in Africa? In exploring this question, I examine the concept of knowledge production: Who controls knowledge? and whose knowledge is valid? My reflections are grounded in my experiences as an African woman who was caught between a European education system and an African traditional knowledge base.
The use of concepts such as African traditional or Indigenous knowledge has often been assigned different meanings, which have contributed to the messiness and contradictions evident in the different discussions on African Indigenous knowledge as essential component of our education. One of such contradictions has to do with the contestations on who should be carrying out research or writing on African Indigenous Knowledge? Who should be advocating for creating spaces in the academy for knowledge that have operated in the margins of education discourse? Theorizing African Indigenous knowledge entails a rethinking and interrogation of our preordained assumptions about African Indigenous knowledge as an integral component of who we are as scholars and practitioners. I aim to share with the reader my struggle with colonial education and to elicit a dialogue on questions about how we, individually and collectively, can disrupt the entrenchment of this type of education to make it more inclusive.
Keywords: Indigenous knowledge; colonial education.
Abstract 4
Clinical Development of Blood-stage Malaria Vaccine BK-SE36 in Uganda
Toshihiro Horii1 and Thomas G. Egwang2
1Department of Molecular Protozoology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Japan;
2Med Biotech Laboratories, Kampala, Uganda
Falciparum malaria remains a global health problem with about 90% of the burden occurring in sub-Saharan Africa. The development of a malaria vaccine holds considerable promise and could complement existing malaria control efforts. Vaccines directed at the asexual stages of P. falciparum could benefit recipients by providing protection against the clinical manifestations of malaria.
Our efforts have been geared at the development of SE36 protein based from the N-terminal domain of Serine Repeat Antigen (SERA5) of P. falciparum. Immuno-epidemiological data underscore the uniqueness of SERA vs. other vaccine candidates: naturally induced antibody response to SE36 protein correlated with increased protective immunity in adults and children. GMP-grade SE36 was formulated adsorbed to aluminum hydroxide gel as BK-SE36. BK-SE36 was safe and immunogenic in malaria-naïve adults. An age de-escalation (age cohorts: 21-40y; 16-20y; 11-15y; 6-10y) Phase 1b vaccine trial was completed in the malaria endemic area of Lira, Northern Uganda last April 2010-Feb 2011. BK-SE36 was safe and well-tolerated. In the post-trial longitudinal study, log-rank test reveal significant differences between BK-SE36 vaccines and controls in time-to-first episodes of high parasitemia (≥5000 parasites/µL) (p=0.02) and high parasitemia + fever [axillary temperature ≥37.5°C, p=0.003]. Participants whose antibody titers against SE36 increased more than 2-fold were defined as responders. We observed that most responders had 0 or 1 episode of natural infection during the follow-up period in contrast to the non-responders and control groups who experience more than two episodes of malaria. Interestingly, the antibody titers against SE36 in the responder group were substantially boosted after episodes of natural infection.
Overall, our findings show that BK-SE36 is safe and induces protective immunity against malaria attacks. Our findings also provide support for further development of BK-SE36 for a phase 1/2b trial in children under 5 years old.
Keywords: Blood-stage malaria vaccine; malaria control; BK-SE3 clinical trials.
Abstract 5
Worldwide Distribution of Polymorphisms Associated with Delayed Clearance of Malaria Parasites Following Artemisinin-Based Combination Therapy
Toshihiro Mita1, Miki Sakurai2, Shouki Yatsushiro3, Masatoshi Kataoka, Toshihiro Horii3
1 Department of Molecular and Cellular Parasitology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
2 Department of International Affairs and Tropical Medicine, Tokyo Women's Medical University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
3 Department of Molecular Protozoology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.
The implementation of artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) as a first-line treatment for uncomplicated malaria has considerably decreased global mortality due to the disease. However, there is growing concern that artemisinin-resistant Plasmodium falciparum isolates may spread from the Cambodia/Thailand border to other regions. Two SNPs at positions MAL10-688956 and MAL13-1718319 have been shown to associate with the delayed clearance of parasites following ACT administration.
Here, we investigate the global distribution and prevalence of these SNPs in order to generate baseline data for the monitoring of the emergence and spread of ACT resistant parasites. The presence of SNPs in MAL10-688956 and MAL13-1718319 was assessed by nested PCR RFLP, and direct DNA sequencing using a large number of global P. falciparum samples. In the sample-set obtained before the official report for the emergence of artemisinin resistance in 2006, neither SNPs associated with delayed parasite clearance following ACT treatment were observed in samples from all four African countries studied. These SNPs were observed in 8% and 3% of parasites, mainly Southeast Asia and Melanesia. Parasites harbouring both SNPs were found in only 1% of isolates, all of which were from Cambodia and Thailand. In the sample-set taken after 2006, we did not find any SNPs associated with increased clearance time following ACT treatment in African isolates. Emergence of P. falciparum isolates with delayed parasite clearance following ACT treatment have been reported in some African counties.
Direct comparison between the presence of these SNPs and the response after ACT treatment will further clarify the reliability of the MAL10-688956 and MAL13-1718319 SNPs as molecular markers for the surveillance of the emergence of ACT resistance.
Keywords: Polymorphisms; malaria parasites; artemisinin-based combination therapy; artemisinin- resistant isolates; molecular markers for emergence of ACT resistance
Abstract 6
Uganda's Gendered Land Tenure System:
Do Women's Land Rights Affect Maternal Health?
Viola Nyakato1, Charles B. Rwabukwali2 and Nathalie Holvoet3
(1) Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Uganda
(2) Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
(3) University of Antwerp, Belgium
In most communities in Uganda, the majority of women's land ownership status remains obscure amidst them being the main source of farm labour for household food production and income generation. While land has remained an important socioeconomic resource, traditional land tenure systems are restrictive and limit women's land rights. Most of Uganda's traditions uphold women's land rights as long as they are married. Besides, land inheritance customs are patrilineal.
In this paper, we attempt to link gender biased land tenure and family planning, antenatal care (ANC) and skilled care during child birth. We use imperial data which was collected from a field survey carried out in December 2010 in 4 sub-counties of Kashari, Mbarara District, Uganda. The study found a relationship between access to maternal health care and decision-making regarding sale and use of land if a household owns land. 94% of the households who participated in the study claimed to own land. In Kashari Mbarara, like it is in most of Ugandan communities, work on land provides the major source on household income, employment and production.
For the purpose of this paper, land is presented as a household factor that shapes women's maternal healthcare decision-making by not merely looking at land ownership but also other factors that surround decision-making, its role as a source of identity, and the allocation of resources that accrue from work on land. Results indicate that, while 94% (N.266) of the households in this study reported to own land, more than ¾ of the people who said their households did not own land were women as compared to less than ¼ who were men. Women rather than men expressed insecurity of tenure despite the household's land ownership status.
Feeling insecure on land was significantly associated with attending of antenatal care (P.value.007) and if the last pregnancy was planned (P.value.007). Decision-making for purchase of land was significantly associated with the the number of children the couple can have (P.value.005). The study results indicate that 21% of decisions for the number of children was by the wife, 33% by the husband, and 45% by both, and only less than 1% by others. Therefore, women's land insecurity undermines their prospects for positive maternal health behaviours. For policy relevancy, the study recommends efforts to redress the traditional land tenure because of its implications on maternal health.
Keywords: Land ownership; gender; maternal health care.
Abstract 7
Is Development Aid Crippling Local Economies?
You can't Compete with Free: a Case Study
Liesbeth Huizink
Sinende, Benin
In 2004 Léonie Gahoué and the author started up the Gahoué Bookshop in Sinendé, a small town in the rural north of Benin. By then Sinendé was a sleepy town without electric power and telephone connection. The Bookshop offered schoolbooks, office and school utensils, photocopies and word-processing, each of which immediately enjoyed an amazing demand. Business went very well.
In 2006 the new-elected President Dr Yayi Boni initiated an unprecedented program of government activities and development aid. Initially that was quite beneficial for the Bookshop, but soon the flood of free goods and services accompanying various aid programs exposed it to ever more unfair competition. Donations, trade in and with donations, as well as a microcredit - boosted informal sector continuously endangered the Bookshop's very existence. The Gahoué Bookshop survived with much luck and hard work. Yet, it had to reduce its core business in favor of more common and less sensitive products like luxury fabrics, food and cold drinks.
Meanwhile Sinendé has access to electricity and mobile phone services, and the town looks much busier than before. Unfortunately, though, this humming is driven by public spending rather than by innovative private investment. It is not astonishing that locals are not willing to invest their money in a market as heavily distorted as the Bookshop experienced it. Without genuine business activity, however, there will be no sustainable creation of value and of desperately needed jobs.
Summarizing, our experiences with the Gahoué Bookshop are strongly suggestive that development aid is crippling local economies and thus generating poverty.
Keywords: Development aid; local economy; Benin; informal sector; market distortion; poverty.
Abstract 8
Institutionalization of a Competitive Mechanism for Merit-Based Funding
of Research for Health Activities in Kenya
J. P. R. Ochieng-Odero
Consortium for National Health Research
The Consortium for National Health Research (CNHR) is an international not-for profit, non-political, non-sectarian and non-partisan organization that brings together key players in health research including health institutions, universities, research institutions, government agencies, non-governmental organizations and other research groups concerned with health in Kenya. CNHR was established in 2008 with the sole purpose of addressing a broad spectrum of issues affecting health research, including research coordination, prioritization of research activities, training, strengthening the legislative environment and enhancing the sharing of knowledge in order to strengthen the capacity of health research in Kenya. To this end, the main objective of the Consortium is to improve the quality of health in the country through promotion of quality research, encouraging the practice of evidence-based health policy formulation to improve health care and its delivery, building the research capacity of Kenya's talented youth and the creation of functional strategic partnerships. The Wellcome Trust and the Department of International Development (DID) of the UK, as well as the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) of Canada have funded CNHR.
Using the concept of Centers of Research Excellence, CNHR has competitively established four such Centers, two of which primarily focus on health systems strengthening. A unique feature of the Centers is the integral involvement of government, through the Ministry of Health, to facilitate the research-to-policy and practice linkage. One of the Centers is piloting the delivery of the community health strategy within a peri-urban, rural as well as marginalized nomadic setting. The other provides essential postgraduate operational research training for health researchers, including doctors.
The collaborative linkage between research actors and policy makers has provided an innovative framework for addressing complex systemic health systems challenges, by breaking institutional barriers and avoiding unnecessary competition while allowing for more efficient resource mobilization and utilization. The Centers are now delivering outcomes that positively impact on maternal and child health, and provide capacity strengthening for the next generation of researchers and policy makers.
Working closely with the National Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI), Ministry of Health (MoH), and The Ministry of Education Science and Education (MoEST), CNHR has established an annual Research-to-Policy Dialogue forum that brings together leadership of key stakeholders working in the health sector to meet and review progress of implementation of research-for-health activities. Two such meetings have so far been held, one in 2011 the other in 2012, both of which were opened by cabinet ministers and attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Health. Through this forum, CNHR has been able to engage stakeholders to discuss the design and development of a Knowledge Sharing Platform (KSP) as well as national guidelines for research.
Keywords: Merit-based research funding; health research; research-to-policy-to-practice linkage; national research guidelines.
Abstract 9
Harnessing the Potential of African Plants
to Address the Health Needs of the Continent
Ameenah Gurib-Fakim
Centre for Physiotherapy Research
University of Mauritius, Mauritius
The African continent has an estimated 216,634,000 ha of closed forest area and houses
between 40-45,000 higher plant species with huge untapped potential. The continent
contributes 25% of the global pool of plant genetic resources currently being traded. The
continent is also blessed with over 5,000 plants used medicinally and yet few have been
described and studied. This gross under-utilization is further challenged with the massive loss
of biodiversity, which averages 1% as opposed to the global 0.6%.
In spite of these challenges, Africa has contributed to the world's leading commercial
medicinal plants, albeit on the low side (83 out of the 1100). Among them are the following: Madagascan Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus), Devil's Claw (Harpagophytum procrumbens), Rauwolfia (Rauwolfia vomitoria) amongst others, which have been explored for their medicina
values. On the cosmetic side, Shea butter (Vittelaria paradoxa), Baobab (Adansonia digitata), Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) are fast becoming the hallmarks of the continent.
With so much potential and diversity, why is Africa 'absent' on the international scene in terms of safe herbal products? The WHO had already reported that over 80% of the world's population depends on medicinal plants for their primary health care.
It is becoming increasingly clear that the potential for developing the African flora is huge but can only become a viable industry if countries start preparing internationally recognized plant standards. The absence of the latter is a major barrier to regional and international trade and would partially help understand the reasons as to why African plants have not been mainstreamed into the productive sectors of the economy.
The preparation and publication of the African Herbal Pharmacopoeia in 2010 has gone that extra mile to help address some of these lacunae. At CEPHYR, the validation of herbal
remedies against common infectious diseases is under way as it is becoming accepted that standardized extracts at the appropriate dose and measured side effects can help address
some of the health issues on the continent. This paper will present some of the findings.
Keywords: African plants; medicinal plants; genetic resources; biodiversity; herbal remedies; infectious diseases
Abstract 10
The Dairy Value Chain Collaboration Colloquium
Sarah Farley, Andrew Gerard and Courtney O'Brien
The Global Knowledge Initiative (GKI)
Washington, D.D., USA
The Dairy Value Chain Collaboration Colloquium offers stakeholders across the East African dairy value chain an opportunity to come together, share knowledge, and spark partnership—all with the aim of tackling STI-pertinent challenges and strengthening East Africa's growing dairy industry. This full-day, highly interactive event will harness the power of science and innovation to forge a stronger, more competitive industry. Nested within the SASA Annual Conference, the Dairy Value Chain Collaboration Colloquium offers a unique opportunity to spotlight and strengthen the bridge between knowledge creation—in fields like biology, ecology, agronomy, engineering and economics—and knowledge application on the ground to measure and meet the demand for dairy value chain inputs, outputs, and efficiencies.
Keywords: Dairy Value Chain; science and innovation; knowledge creation and knowledge application.
Abstract 11
Advancement of Science and Women in Science:
Strengthening Partnerships for the Promotion of Women in Science
Christine Dranzoa
Muni University, Arua, Uganda
The United Nations (1985) Conference on Women in Nairobi formed the foundation for the transformation that left a landmark in the gender terrain of Sub-Saharan Africa. Women participants caused revolutions in the gender environment, transformed gender relations and continue to work towards gender equity and equality in all sectors, including science and technology after that meeting. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of 2000 and the Education for All policy, strengthened the regional and international commitments further.
Evidences showing that educating the women population gives endearing remedies to social ills whilst restituting human dignity reinforced the position of all partners and countries enjoying gender parity in tertiary education have advanced in their development. In the last couple of decades, positive gains have been made at all levels. In selected cases female enrollment rates into higher education more than doubled, high entry into universal primary, secondary and higher education levels were achieved. However, issues on quality and retention of girls in schools generally and their entry into science, engineering, mathematics and vocational training (STEM) are still low (6-30%). Of the 57million youths out of school globally, 30 million are women and the majority is found in Africa. The advancement of
women in STEM has to be understood in a broader context due to its complex structural, socio-cultural, political, economic and evolutionary nature that has had pervasive influence. The development of the capacity of women in science requires concerted and joint efforts that nurture for optimization of the development of Africa.
This paper will provide an understanding of some of these forces and provoke insights for women in science beyond the goals set for the 2015 MDG.
Keywords: Women in Science; gender parity; U.N. Conference on Women; Millenium Development Goals.
Abstract 12
Contributors to Sickness:
Epigenetic Regulators of Many Gene Expressions
Alain L. Fymat
International Institute of Medicine and Science
Rancho Mirage, California, USA
Until the recent past, "sickness" (generally speaking) was considered the result of either genetics or the environment, differently weighted. Analytically modeled, it was represented as a function of a weighted linear combination of genetics and the environment, say: F[a x genetics + b x environment] = any given sickness, wherein the weights "a" and "b" could vary from 0 to 1. Thus, at least theoretically, a=0 (or equivalently b=1) implied no genetic cause (total environmental cause), likewise, b=0 (or equivalently a=1) referred to total genetic cause (no environmental cause). Of course, neither a nor b can attain the extreme values (0, 1). Perhaps naively, it was then believed that for any given sickness, we could maximize b (which we could subsequently master to its lowest effect) while minimizing a (on which we had little or no effect). In this manner, we could overcome sickness! Unfortunately, the above heuristic model does not hold true and has since been invalidated by our greater understanding of the relationship between genetics and the environment.
I would like to advance a more realistic model wherein sickness is the result of the interaction of genetic predisposition (not genetics) and the environment. While characterization of that interaction is quite complex and perhaps not fully amenable to analysis, the different contributors to sickness have now been identified to a large extent. These include: nutrition, toxicants, inflammatory agents, infectious agents, psychological dysfunctions, therapeutic interventions, and lifestyle. These considerations have given rise to corresponding branches of genomics: nutri-genomics, toxico-genomics, inflamo-genomics, eco-genomics, infectio-genomics, psycho-genomics, therapo-genomics, pharmaco-genomics, and radio-genomics... some of which have barely began being studied.
I will review the above several contributors to sickness with particular emphasis on the epigenetic regulation of many gene expressions. Like many models before it, the above model may not be entirely true and may not lead to a complete grasp of sickness and its remediation or eradication. Nonetheless, I believe it to be currently the most promising and hope it will constructively focus research in this critical field and yield new understandings of the relative importance of each of the above sickness contributors.
Keywords: Sickness; sickness contributors; epigenetic regulators; genetic predisposition; analytical modeling.
Abstract 13
A New Paradigm in Medicine and Health Care
Alain L. Fymat
International Institute of Medicine and Science, California, USA
With the advent of the digital age and telecommunications, medicine and health care are at the threshold of being transformed from the current population-based to the nascent patient-centric approach. Impediments to this change are resistance and reluctance of several stakeholders: physicians, life science industry (drugs, devices, diagnostic tests), government regulatory agencies, health insurers, and passivity of health consumers.
Nonetheless, we are witnessing a historic event: the "digitization of the human being"! Digitizing a human is:
Determining all the letters ("life codes") of the genome;
Remotely and continuously monitoring health parameters through wearable sensors and imbedded nanosensors;
2-D or/and 3-D imaging of any body part with eventual capability of "printing" an organ;
Rapidly capturing critical health information anywhere using a miniature, handheld high-resolution imaging device; and
Assembling all the information (from wireless biosensors, genome sequencing, or imaging) for ready availability and integration with traditional medical tests and constant updating.
Currently, the smartphone can be loaded for medicine to display all vital signs in real time, conducting laboratory analyses, sequencing genome parts, or even acquiring ultrasound images (heart, abdomen, unborn baby). We are now at the threshold of being able to establish our biologic or physiologic individuality to finally get to the most important but heretofore insulated domain – preserving our health.
I will model this new paradigm and discuss its tremendous advantages but also the important downsides to consider.
Keywords: Medical paradigm shift; medicine and health care; wearable sensors; imbeddednanosensors; imaging; organ printing; digital age and telecommunications; smart mobile digital devices.
Abstract 14
A Handbook on African Traditional Healing Approaches and Research Practices
Discussants: Emilio Ovuga (1), Francis A. Akena (2) and Njoki Wane (3)
(1) Department of Mental Health, Gulu University, North Uganda
(2) Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
(3) University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
The need to reclaim the ancestral wisdom of Africa is paramount to the survival and well-being of not only the African people, but also the world. The interpretation and understanding of Indigenous wisdom must come from those who carry the voices of this misunderstood science within their ancestral memories. It must be made clear and irrefutable that the contributions of Indigenous people are based on sound theoretical principles that have formed the foundation of Western scientific progress. Studying the interaction and movement of different kinds of energy has always been critical to Indigenous people's understanding of healing. The Western interruption of our healing systems precluded a deliberate distortion of the Indigenous people's sublime understanding of energy and matter in its homicide of Indigenous culture. How can a healer seek to restore order without knowing the fundamental structural energy and material underpinnings of natural phenomena?
Western science cleverly co-opted Indigenous practices and replaced them with terms such as psychology, whose core meaning, "psychologia," was the study of the science of the soul and of spirits. It is the Indigenous person's reverence for the scientific expression of natural law and its communication to us in the form of mathematics, chemistry, biology, music, and more that leads her/him to deify the manifestation of its inherent ordering of matter and energy from its original eternal matrix to the physical experience of life. We have always understood the coexistence of the material and immaterial as necessary dualities that feed and need each other.
The book represents a global movement. Western notions of representing modernity are suffering the inevitable karmic consequences of failing to see the connections between physical, emotional, and spiritual healing, and of failing to see how traditional healing systems created and sustained balance and order in families and communities. We have always known that divine law and scientific law are connected, and more important than just knowing this, we live it. This book reaffirms our need to view life cosmologically. From this cultural viewpoint, we can begin to remove the colonial veil covering the truth of Indigenous practices and understand millennia-old techniques such as divination as sound predictive mathematical processes rooted in binary principles.
Keywords: African traditional healing; indigenous wisdom; material and immaterial dualities.
Abstract 15
Keynote Address - Abstract
Renewable Energy for Sustainable Development in Sub-Saharan Africa.
T. Otiti
Physics Department, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
Energy is central to sustainable development and poverty reduction efforts in developing countries. It affects all aspects of development: social, economic and environment including livelihood, access to water, agricultural productivity, health, education and gender related issues. Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) cannot be met without major improvement in the quality and quantity of energy services.
Renewable Energy Technologies (RETs) were thought to have significant potential to contribute to the social economic development of the region. But this dream has not come true yet. The author intends to point out challenges facing dissemination of RETs and the contribution of renewable energy to sustainable development in the region, make conclusions and recommendations to improve RETs dissemination.
Keywords: Renewable energy; sustainable development; Renewable Energy Technologies (RETs).
Abstract 16
Research Culture and Capacity Building at Gulu University:
The Foundations of Social Development in Africa
Mshilla Maghanga, Tabo Geoffrey, and Emilio Ovuga
Gulu University, Uganda
The health status of Northern Uganda remains poor as judged from poor health indicators following the two-decade long war. Capacity for health sciences research is equally low. The prospects for economic and social development in the region remain precarious. This paper describes the contribution of externally funded projects towards research culture development and capacity building at Gulu University.
Literature review was used to develop this paper. Data were obtained from publications and reports on five major research projects at the Faculty, namely: THRiVE, ENRECA, Epilepsy, UN Peace, and MEPI-MESAU. Conference and workshop reports provided further information.
Research projects and publications at Gulu University have increased over time. Externally funded projects have supported the training of 8 doctoral students, 2 post-doctoral fellows and 3 masters' students. UN Peace Project established collaboration with traditional cultural system in peace building. Lecturers and students have subscribed to the research culture.The University has established a Research Administration office. EndNote, Epidata, SPSS, and research methodology trainings, have consolidated the move to help build the research capacity. Staff have conducted researches, written grants proposals, presented scientific papers and published papers in peer-reviewed journal. The full research potential development appears to be on course.
Despite being located in an underserved, post-conflict and remote rural area, the Gulu University's Faculty of Medicine has demonstrated modest research capacity development. This has impacted positively in the areas of health, peace, and stability with direct implications for research culture,social and economic development in the region.
Keywords: Research culture; research capacity building; economic development.
Acknowledgement: Wellcome Trust; MEPI-MESAU; Epilepsy Project; ENRECA; Primary Health Care.
Abstract 17
Mordanting Methods for Dyeing Cotton Fabrics with Dye
from Albizia Coriara Plant Species
L. Janani and L. Hillary
Department of Textile and Ginning Engineering, Busitema University, Uganda
The study investigated the effects of different methods of application of selected mordants on dyeing woven cotton with dyes from the stem bark of Albizia Coriaria. The methods of application of mordants used include: pre-mordanting, simultaneous mordanting, and post-mordanting.
The effects on cotton analyzed are color fastness to light, washing, wet and dry rubbing and color characteristics on CIELab color coordinates. Aqueous extraction method was used to extract the dye.
Some selected mordants were used for dyeing viz; alum, ferrous sulphate, and iron water. In the control dyeing without the use of mordants, very good fastness was registered with the following fastness ratings: for washing (4-5), dry rubbing (5), wet rubbing (5) and light (4). The natural dye is a substantive dye since it registered very good fastness grades without the use of mordants. The use of mordants improved color fastness to light from ratings of (4) to (5) and (6) for iron water and ferrous sulphate and a poor fastness of (3) was recorded for alum.
Post-mordanting method registered the best overall fastness results and the best color strengths K/S values and color saturation values C. However, the most brilliant colors were registered with simultaneous mordanting method with all mordants. However, there was no observable effect of mordanting methods on the redness or yellowness of color.
Keywords: Albizia Coriaria, color fastness, mordanting, substantive dye.
Abstract 18
of Vegetable Biomass for Fiber and Engineering Composites.
Samson Rwawiirea,b* and Blanka Tomkovab
a Department of Textile & Ginning Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Busitema University, Uganda
b Faculty of Textile Engineering, Department of Material Engineering, Technical University of Liberec, Uganda
Uganda is a tropical country endowed with vast resources of plant fibers. Synthetic fibers whose feedstock is petroleum are contributing to environmental degradation due to the toxicity of the fumes emitted, demanding energy for production and non-biodegradability.
The fluctuating oil price, coupled with peak oil estimates, has led to a call to focus more on sustainable materials. The consequences of climate change due to global warming caused by increase in green house gas emissions has led to a worldwide push for climate-smart agriculture, sustainable and renewable materials. Ligno-cellulosic fibers have attracted new interest in engineering application due to their biodegradability, high specific strength, low energy demands, and easy availability. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) proclaimed in 2005 that Ugandan bark cloth, natural fibrous fabric largely produced from mutuba tree (Ficus natalensis) as a "Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity." Ficus natalensis trees grow naturally in Central Uganda and don't need fertilizers.
An exploratory investigation of morphology, thermal, static and dynamic mechanical properties of natural fibrous composites is presented. The composites were prepared using Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM). The tensile and flexural properties were investigated according to ASTM 3039 and ASTM D638 respectively; thermal behavior was investigated using Thermo-gravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). The Dynamical mechanical analysis was utilized to study the viscoelastic response of the composites whereas the morphology and surface functional groups were investigated using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), respectively.
Keywords: Vegetable biomass; engineering composites; climate change; global warming; ligno-cellulosic fibers; UNESCO; thermogravimetric analysis; dynamical mechanical analysis.
Abstract 19
A Case Study of Service Delivery in the Health Sector in Uganda
Vanessa Nampewo
School of Economics, Makerere University, Uganda
The purpose of this study was to examine the Service Delivery Indicators (SDI) in Uganda within the Health sector. The overall objective of the SDIs is to gauge the quality of service delivery in basic health services.They provide a set of metrics for benchmarking service delivery performance in health in Uganda and Africa at large. They enable governments and citizens to identify gaps and track progress within and across countries over time. It is envisaged that the broad availability, high public awareness and persistent focus on the indicators will mobilize policymakers, citizens, service providers, donors and other stakeholders into action.
Inspired by the World Development Report 2004 "Making Services Work for Poor People", the ultimate goal is to sharply increase accountability for improved quality of services toward the ultimate end of improving human development outcomes.
The SDIs aim to construct a set of benchmarking metrics that capture critical dimensions of service delivery, including the knowledge and effort of providers. The indicators fall into three categories: (i) Availability of key infrastructure and inputs, (ii) Effort exerted by providers, and (iii) Knowledge of providers.
The SDIs for Uganda are based on surveys of about 400 health facilities, and nearly 5,000 health providers. The indicators provide evidence that basic inputs and infrastructure—with the notable exception of drugs—are largely available at health facilities. But they also show that attention needs to be paid to the level of knowledge and effort among providers. Importantly, they uncover large regional inequalities in service delivery.
It is evidenced by the findings that there are significant gaps in provider knowledge among both public and private providers in Health. Only 35% of public health providers could correctly diagnose at least 4 out of 5 very common conditions (like diarrhea with dehydration, and malaria with anemia). In health centers that only offer outpatient services, half (49%) of the providers could not identify more than one of these conditions. Worryingly, public providers followed only 1 out of 5 (20%) of the correct actions needed to manage maternal and neonatal complications. The Northern region and rural areas consistently and significantly lagged behind the other regions and urban areas in measures of knowledge and competence of providers.
The problem of low provider effort is largely a reflection of suboptimal management of human resources. This is evidenced by the findings that more than half (52%) of public health providers were not present in the facility. Sixty percent of this absence was approved, and hence potentially within management's power to influence.
Health facilities have some of the basic inputs and equipment to function properly, but a few serious challenges remain. Only 44% of the public health facilities had all 6 of Uganda's essential drugs. The adequate availability of priority drugs for mothers and children remains a challenge with only 39% and 23%, respectively, available in public facilities. Within the public sector, rural health facilities had poorer equipment and infrastructure; however the availability of tracer drugs was higher in rural facilities.
What does this mean for Uganda? To achieve its ambitious but attainable Vision 2040, Uganda needs to accelerate economic growth. Building a healthy and educated labor force is critically important. The discovery of oil could be transformational for Uganda in terms of its vision for 2040, but only if the quality agenda is addressed in health and education. Only then can natural resources revenues be translated into long-term economic growth that benefits all Ugandans. These findings therefore call for action from different stakeholders in the country and I advocate for the involvement and engagement of the youth and all Ugandans at large.
Keywords: Service Delivery Indicators; Health Sector; Uganda
Abstract 20
Use of Herbal Medicines Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic at Kiryandongo Hospital
Kyegombe Willy, Mutesi Ramulah, Bakulumpagi Deogratitus,
Walufu Ivan Egesa. Maweje Saul, and Openy Abraham
Supervisors: Dr Mshilla Mahganga, Dr. Ocaya Anthony
Gulu University, Uganda
Despite the wide spread use of herbal medicine during pregnancy in Uganda, the knowledge base and motivating factors behind this practice have not been widely studied.
This research was a cross-sectional descriptive study in which the opinion of 400 pregnant women about the use of herbal medicines were collected using self-administered questionnaires that contained both open and close ended question. SPSS version 16 was employed to analyze the data. Descriptive statistics were used at 95% confidence level to evaluate the data obtained. Level of significance was set at p < 0.05.
The use of herbal medicine among our subjects was not so high at 37.7%. It was more prevalent among the Baganda (65.2%) and Banyoro (42.5%) populations. Women who had ever used herbal medicines during previous pregnancies reported a higher prevalence during the current pregnancy. The commonest sources of information were friends and family relatives. Majority of the women considered herbal medicines to be safe during pregnancy and preferred them to conventional medicines because they have low side effect profile, are cheap and easy to access and because it is part of their tradition to use them during pregnancy.
It is safe to advise pregnant mothers not to expose their unborn child to the risk of herbal medicines. More efficient ways are required to educate the general population about the dangers of self medication during pregnancy. Pharmacological and case control studies will be vital in assessing the efficacy and risks associated with herbal medicine use during pregnancy. Midwives, obstetricians and GPs should facilitate women's wishes without condemnation, but this must be tempered with accurate information.
Keywords: Herbal medicines; pregnant women.
Abstract 21
Advancing Psychosocial Frontiers in EMPTCT Treatment: The Role of Self-Efficacy in Male Involvement
M. D.C. Komakech
Dalla Lana School of Public Health
University of Toronto
Evidence from various evaluations of Option B+ of the PMTCT programs in Sub-Sahara Africa illustrate that the elimination of transmission of HIV virus from mother to unborn child is possible (EMTCT). Through the PMTCT cascade, it has been illustrated that 98% of mothers can deliver HIV-free babies and keep them HIV free under certain conditions here in Kitgum.
This study examines the role of self-efficacy in male involvement in pregnancy care in rural northern Uganda districts of Lamwo, Kitgum and Pader. The study concludes that male involvement is critical at point of care if EMTCT is to succeed. A conceptual framework is developed which illustrates that increasing self-efficacy is likely to increase male's likelihood of attending to EMPTCT integrated care. Connections are made between increased self efficacy and social disclosure of sero-status to family; and adherence to EMPTCT services including ART. Disclosures and adherence appear to reinforce each other, but they lead to improved couple communication. When families disclose to each other about their sero-status, they are most likely to prioritize lifelong HIV treatment and family planning in their life agenda early. This mutual decision lessens the social impact of HIV diagnosis in families and communities. Improved partner communication is the recipe for a sustained and successful treatment outcome.
However, a concerted effort is needed in the rural areas to expand the social safety net for the Early Infant Diagnosis (EID). To achieve the objective of HIV-free generation, there is need for a radical social, economic and political transformation with a focus in eliminating abject poverty, reducing impact of gender inequality, enhancing literacy and reshaping social attitudes about HIV and persons living with HIV.
Keywords: EMPTCT treatment; HIV transmission; sero-status; early infant diagnosis.
Abstract 22
Science Culture is Key to Uganda's Development:
Development in the Upcoming Generation
Joseph L. Mpagi
Faculty of Health Sciences, Busitema University and
Strengthening the Education Systems in Africa (STESca)
Literature indicates that the most decisive and sustainable factor in development is for economic growth to be based on scientific and technological innovations. The other forms of growth turn out short-lived. In line with this view, government has prioritized Science, Technology & Information Communication Technology (STI) in its overall effort to transform Uganda.
Specifically, government has strengthened effort towards (i) producing a critical mass of local science capacity; (ii) increasing funding for scientific research; (iii) linking scientific innovations and industry; and (iv) planning, coordination and promotion of STI in Uganda.
Unfortunately, the lack of a science culture in Uganda renders the socio-economic and industrial fabric inept to grasp scientific and technological research and transform it into innovations and development activities. In other words, the effort described above to transform Uganda through STI, will progress to benefit the 'global science system' with little effects locally. Hence, the need to develop a science culture in young people, the upcoming generation in Uganda―this is the aim of our new educational resources.
Keywords: Science culture; development; economic growth; technological innovations.
Abstract 23 (Student)
Practical Innovation for Economic Development:
A Case Study of Pilot International Community Training Centre
Sandra Nabayinda
College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
Uganda's education structure is 7 years in primary, 6 years in secondary (where 4 years are for lower secondary level and two are for higher secondary) and 3 to 5 years of post-secondary level depending on the course one opts to select. This system traces its roots from the former colonial empire, Britain. More than 70,000 students sit for advanced national examinations (U.A.C.E), but only 35% are able to find places at the limited number of institutions. This is because the universities admit only 60,000 to 70,000 students and a few join tertiary institutions while the journey to education for the majority ends there.
Many Ugandans are still illiterate despite the existence of universal primary and secondary education. This is because many students are enrolled at both free educational levels, but spend their school days cleaning the school premises, playing, and picking mangoes before the girls drop out due to early pregnancies (for , some of which their male teachers are responsible).
Our education is based on cramming the already written reading materials supplied by the teachers (who also crammed the subjects they teach) with a view of passing exams. After graduating with a bachelor's Degree in "theory", the now engineers, doctors, lawyers and accountants seek jobs in organizations where they can't even compose their own prose or do anything practical. Those who graduate and fail to find jobs return to their villages, give birth yearly and settle at the same level with those who never attended school at all. The few who take on tertiary education are the "capable" engineers and nurses who do more practical work than theory.
The solution to our education is changing from the old colonial methods of theoretical teaching to the new innovative methods like community education to absorb and impact practical skills to those people who have missed enrolment in formal higher institutions of learning. My presentation will share some of the community empowerment initiatives at the Pilot International Community Training Centre that have changed the lives of hundreds of people and contributed to the social economic development of the country.
Keywords: Innovation, Pilot International, Community
Abstract 24
Information Communication Technology (ICT) for Development
Henry Clarke Kisembo
Development Associates Link International (DALI)
Introduction:
Since the 1980s ICT has evolved and gradually been integrated in the development agenda of developing countries like Uganda; it has become an important aspect of growth and development thanks to science and technology where there is constant research, experiments and tests carried. Without science growth and development would be slow and livelihood generation for communities would be challenged with looming poverty.
Importance of ICT for Development.
Health:
At all times science is a big part of health initiatives as information is derived from tests carried out to inform medical personnel about ailment and the required remedies and medicines scientifically experimented and tested, in development poor health retards growth as an unhealthy work force might not be fully productive; however even the psychological effect that is on the person who is carrying for the sick affects their rational thinking most times so science is effective and efficient.
Experimental and Scientific Research:
Scientific and Experimental research has enhanced development in that it builds innovation for example machinery that is used in agriculture, high value seeds, post harvest handling systems like silos (storage facilities) and modern agricultural extension mechanisms and enhancing food security are a result of science, processing machines and manufacturing machines are all a result of scientific research and which in turn boosts growth and development for Ugandan communities and countries at large.
Vulnerability Surveillance Systems:
These are systems and gadgets which detect disasters before they happen and in Uganda they have been very effective in health as through cell phones and gateway platforms one can detect the Global positioning system (GPS) of a health need like births, outbreaks and plagues as this can be communicated through cellular platforms even in the most remote areas this has been successful in Karamoja and Northern regions.
Business Growth and Development:
ICT has brought a new vision in doing business for micro small and medium enterprises, as with cell or mobile phones information is transmitted and transactions are cell phone and internet based; there are platforms for information like weather information, market prices, national information all transmitted and communicated through mobile phones; money transfers have taken a wave in doing business as it save on time and transport costs so through Mobile money transfers and other platforms like internet banking, payment can be done or money exchanged at the stroke of a mobile phone and internet service.
Education and E-Learning Platforms:
Through science and ICT education is no longer a hassle as there are learning platforms online and one doesn't need to be physically present in a class room setting but through online platform, video conferencing, Telephone conferencing, skype meetings and this is across the country and inter-countries thus more communities and persons in Uganda are accessing education, learning and training through such platforms.
Social Media Networks:
These networks are as a result of science for example face book, twitter, instagram, viber, chat rooms, LinkedIn are very important and relevant in development as they enhance connections, networking, marketing, information sharing, and also general build up of friends network, through these social media there can also be services offered like counseling, advisory services, employment opportunities and this is very effective and on growth trend amongst Ugandans as they realize the benefits.
Water Sanitation and Health (WASH):
In developing countries like Uganda communities are affected by poor health due to unclean water and sanitation there are various diseases and ailments as a result of this has led to project like boreholes, piped water, water cleansing medicines and also sensitization and ways of promoting good sanitation like modern toilet building, drainage systems being developed thus a healthy and productive population.
Renewable Energy:
Through scientific research it was realized that there was a need for ways of protecting the environment, nature and mother earth; reduce global warming and thus research and production of clean cookstoves, use of brickets instead of charcoal which depletes the environment through deforestation, thus sustainable growth and livelihoods, such information through ICT is shared amongst communities and countries following best learning practices; there is a reduction on reliance of hydro electricity in Uganda thus biogas promotion and usage and wind pipes.
Exploration and Production:
Uganda is endowed by natural resources such as oil and gas, cobalt amongst others and through scientifically tested machines; exploration, testing and production has been made possible and this promises Uganda for alternative economic growth and development, through employment creation, income generation, and national revenue growth thus increased social service delivery.
Others:
Include Management Information Systems which have made organizations and institutions more effective, efficient and productive for example asset management, financial management, Human resource management amongst others.
Keywords: Information communication technology; experimental research; vulnerability surveillance systems; business growth and development; education and e-earning platforms; social media networks; water sanitation and health; renewable energy; exploration and production; management information systems.
Abstract 25
Participative Leadership in Education And Social Empowerment (PLEASE)
Balakrishna Shetty
Sri Siddhartha University, Tumkur, India
Knowledge Commission Karnataka, India
Purpose of the Project:
With more and more students ascribing for carrier in professional schools like Medicine, Engineering, Accounts, Law etc. and very few opting for the teaching profession, the number of quality teachers in Schools, especially public Schools is gradually diminishing. Apart from this presence of national and International Private Schools are forcing the poor parents to admit their children in Private Schools through loans or borrowed funds. Hence the number of students in Public Schools are rapidly decreasing, unlike in Developed Countries where parents prefer Private over Private schools. At this juncture it is mandatory to improve the teaching standards and other facilities in Public Schools so as to provide quality education to Children.
Apart from this it is important to develop Leadership qualities in our students studying in Higher Education Centers, Professional Schools, Universities and Post Graduate Institutions by participating in this School Education Project. This participative leadership will enable our youth to take up more and more projects for rural education and Social Empowerment.
Participative Leadership in Education and Social Empowerment Project (PLEASE project), will achieve both the purposes without great hassles of implementation and costing.
Methodology:
Basically the post graduate Participating Student Teachers (PST) in Universities will teach their core subject at least for a week in Rural Public Schools. The first pilot PLEASE project can be implemented as follows:
Schools and Classes selected: 100 Rural Public Schools (RPS), Higher Primary (5, 6, and 7) or High School (8, 9, and 10) as per the requirement of teachers.
Participative Student Teachers (PST) will teach Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics or English as per their core competence at least for one week (5 days Monday to Friday) in RPS during their PG/ Professional course. Longer duration is optional for the PSTs. There will be 20 weeks of teaching per year in 100 Schools, which requires 2000 PSTs which can be easily selected from Universities, Medical and Engineering Schools.
Post Graduates in University Schools, 2nd/ 3rd year to teach core subjects,
Medical Students 3rd/4th year of UG or 2nd year of PG to teach Human Biology/ Health Sciences,
Engineering Students, 3rd year UG, 2nd year PG- Math's, Science, Computers.
The PSTs will go through the text books of the students well in advance and prepare for their one week classes. They will take at least 1 hr class to 3 standards ie 3 hours of classes per day or even more. The rural School teachers also will attend these classes and update their knowledge and teaching skills. I am sure many PG students (National and International) are interested to participate in this project, which they may enjoy as Home stay in rural areas and also for their pivotal role in rural education.
Funding:
The total budget for comprehensive Quality education in 100 Rural Schools by Professional/ Post Graduate students with core competence in their subject will basically include: Travel, Food, and Accommodation. We propose even ideas like Home Stay etc. Good house owners may be more than willing to accommodate and provide home food to PSTs and State may pay the house owners directly. We will try our best to get World Bank Funds for this innovative project.
Discussion:
The overarching aim of PLEASE project is:
Solving the problems of quality education rural Public Schools with immediate very cost effective implementation.
Developing leadership qualities in our young Post Graduate students by involving them in rural education and rural development.
It turns out that leadership not only matters: it is second only to teaching among school-related factors in its impact on student learning, according to the evidence compiled and analyzed. The impact of leadership tends to be greatest in schools where the learning needs of students are most acute and includes: a. Setting Directions: charting a clear course that everyone understands, establishing high expectations and using data to track progress and performance. b. Developing people: providing teachers and others in the system with the necessary support and training to succeed. c. Making the organization work– ensuring that the entire range of conditions and incentives in rural schools fully supports rather than inhibits teaching and learning.
Long Term Achievements of the "PLEASE" Project:
Solving the problem of Deficiency of teachers in Rural Public Schools.
Improving the Quality of Education in Schools by incorporating the core competent students (PST) into educational projects.
Educating School Teachers during the classes by PST.
Increasing the Student enrolment in Public Schools by providing quality education.
Teaching skills for PSTs during their learning period.
Leadership qualities for PSTs in young age as they are participating in rural education project.
The participation of young PSTs in rural schools can throw major light into the rural education programs.
PSTs opinion in the long run could be used to revolutionize rural education in the State.
PSTs can be used as ambassadors of Public Projects in Education, Health and Social reforms.
PLEASE will be the first and innovative project where in Young Competent students participate in rural Education and Empowerment.
PLEASE will eventually emerge as the most important project for Social Empowerment.
Conclusion:
Participative Leadership in Education and Social Empowerment Project (PLEASE project), will provide: Quality education in rural schools, leadership skills development in our students without great hassles of implementation and cost.
Keywords: Participative leadership; education; social empowerment.
PROGRAM COMMITTEE
International Committee:
Dr. Francis A. Adyanga
Ms. Ellena Andoniou
Prof. Alain Fymat
d. Prof. Joachim Kapalanga
10.2. Uganda National Local Organizing Committee:
Prof. Emilio Ovuga (Chair)
Dr. Alfred Alumai
Dr. Geoffrey Andogah
Mr. John Paul Bagala (Secretary)
Mr. Hilary Bekamwesiga
Dr. Julius Ecuru
Dr. Michael Kansiime
Mr. Semel Mutesasira
Mr. Collins Mwesiga
Ms Robinah K. Nanyunja
Ms Julaina A.Obika
Dr. Anthony Ocaya
SASA ORGANIZATION INFORMATION
11.1. SASA Organizational Chart
| ADVISORY | Advisory Board | Executive Council | International Relations |
|
| POLICY |
| Board of Directors |
|
|
| OPERATIONS | Vice President: North America | Executive President | Vice-President: Africa |
|
| DIRECTORATES | Administrative
| Scientific
| Africa Regional | Innovation & Business |
|
| - Administration - Finance - Fund Raising - Technical & Support Services | - Subcommittees - Consortia - Meetings & Symposia - Special Programs - SASA Journal | - North Region - South Region - Central Region - Eastern Region - Western Region | - Innovation Awareness - Translation of Science to Business |
* Structures that are dormant at present are indicated in grey text.
11.2 SASA Interim Executive Committee (2013, to be updated after the 2014 Conference)
| Position | Name | Country of Origin | Country of Residence |
| Executive President | Prof. Joachim Kapalanga | Uganda | Canada |
| e- Vice-President (Africa) | Prof. Philip Venter | South Africa | South Africa |
| Vi Vice-President (N North America) | Prof. Colin Soskolne | South Africa | Canada |
| Di Director: In International Relations | Prof. Sam Lanfranco | Canada | Canada |
| Di Director: A Administration | Dr. Kathrine Theron | South Africa | South Africa |
| Di Director: S Science | Prof. Alain L. Fymat | | USA |
| Di Director: In Innovation & Business | Dr. Antonel Olckers | South Africa | South Africa |
| Di Director: F Fundraising | Mr .Coetzee Bester | South Africa | South Africa |
| St Student Representative | Mr. Francis A. Adyanga | Uganda | Canada |
GENERAL INFORMATION & KAMPALA GUIDE
12.1 KAMPALA AREA
241,038 sq.km. (93.065 sq.miles)
POPULATION OF UGANDA:
34,758,809 inhabitants
CAPITAL CITY:
Kampala is the capital city of Uganda with a population of roughly 1.5 million people according to the 2009 population census
ETHNIC COMPOSITION OF POPULATION:
Baganda 16.9%, Banyankole 9.5%, Basoga 8.4%, Bakiga 6.9%, Iteso 6.4%, Langi 6.1%, Acholi 4.7%, Bagisu 4.6%, Lugbara 4.2%, Bunyoro 2.7%, Others 29.6 % (2002 Census). Its neighbors are South Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, Democratic republic of Congo and Rwanda with a developing economy in East Africa
LANGUAGE(S):
Uganda is ethnically diverse, with at least 40 spoken languages; English is the official language even though only a relatively small portion of the population speaks it.
12.2 ECONOMY
Uganda has substantial natural resources, including fertile soils, regular rainfall, oil and small deposits of copper, gold, cobalt and other minerals. Agriculture is the most important sector of economy, employing over 80% of the workforce. Coffee accounts for the bulk of export revenue. Since 1986, the government, with the support of foreign countries and international agencies, has acted to rehabilitate and stabilize the economy by under taking currency reform, raising producer prices on export crops, increasing prices of petroleum products, and improving civil service wages. These economic policy changes are especially aimed at dampening inflation and boosting production and export earnings. Since 1990, economic reforms ushered in an era of solid economic growth based on continued investment in infrastructure, improved incentives for production and export, lower inflation, better domestic security, and the return of exiled Indian-Ugandan entrepreneurs.
12.3 EDUCATION
Uganda follows a 7-4-2-4 model of education, with a seven years of primary education, 4 years of lower secondary, 2 years of upper secondary and 4 years of tertiary education. The public higher education sector is composed of universities, national teachers colleges, colleges of commerce, technical colleges, training institutions, and other tertiary institutions. The two major public universities in Uganda are Makerere University in Kampala established in 1922, and Mbarara University of Science and technology established in 1989. Three other public Universities have been established recently; Kyambogo University, The University of Gulu, and Busitema University. Their 102 private higher education institutions including 23 private universities (14 of which are licensed by the national council for higher education. The gross higher education enrollment ratio grew from 2.5 percent in 1995 to 4.1 percent in 2004. Much of this growth is due to increased university enrollment, which has risen substantially since the 1970s. in 2004, there were a total of 108,295 students in higher education institution. Of these students, 68,079 were enrolled in universities with more than half enrolled at Makerere (34,34i) (Ministry of Education and sports, 2005). Between 1993 and 2002, enrollment in Makerere University alone more than tripled from 7,000 to 26,793 students. (Musisi 2003)
12.4 PUBLIC TRANSPORT
There three methods of public transport; boda-bodas, matatus, and special hires. Boda-bodas (local motorcycles transportation) are a popular mode of transport that gives access to many areas within and outside the city. Standard fees typically range from UGX 1000-3000 or more (US$ .40 to US$ .80). Boda-bodas are useful for passing through rush-hour traffic although they are usually poorly maintained and often dangerous. Matatus are a series of minibuses that follow relatively present routes all over the city and many other parts of the country. Confusingly, they are known as taxis in Uganda. Each matatu has a driver and a conductor, both of whom will shout the destination of their vehicle out the window. Ask one of them for your destination and you will be told yes or no. it is a good idea to sit in the back of the vehicle, since the squeezing is limited to the first two rows. When you reach your destination, tell your conductor "stage" and they will stop the van. There are also a number of staging points where the driver will stop and wait until they can fill the vehicle. This can take a few seconds or several minutes; just be patient. You pay the conductor when you exit. The formal fare is 1000-1500 Ush (US$ .40-US$ .60) per person when driving into the city (correct at July 2011)
Taxis also called special hire are readily available at most central locations. Very few taxis have meters. Be sure to agree on the fare before you get in the car. Do not be afraid to haggle either; most destinations can be reached for 15,000 0r 20,000 (US$7-8) the yellow taxi company is reliable, offering 24 hour services, with fixed prices; 10,000 UGX (US$ 4 for trip within Kampala); 60,000 UGX (US$24 for trips to/from the airport). The phone number for the yellow taxi company is 0713 133 331
12.5 CLIMATE AND TEMPERATURE
Kampala has a tropical wet and dry climate, however, due to the city's higher altitudes, average temperature are noticeably cooler than other tropical cities. Kampala seldom gets very hot during the year and the warmest month is January. Kampala also has two annual wet seasons. There is a long rainy season from August through December and a short rainy season from February through June. The average temperature in May is 75 Degrees F.
12.6 BANKING HOURS
Usual banking hours in Kampala are 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Some banks are open 7 days a week. There are ATM cash machines and a number of banks and forex bureaus close by (5minutes) that offer services. Barclays Bank, Bank of Baroda, Standard Chartered Bank, and Stanbic Bank and several local banks. The ATM's and forex Bureaus are also at major shopping malls like Garden City and Nakumatt Oasis Malls, Shoprite Lugogo, and Capital Shoppers.
Do not plan using your credit card. If it is accepted, there is a good chance of fraud. It is safer to withdraw money from ATM's using your Visa-card. Many ATMs take VISA. Stanbic is the only bank that takes MasterCard branded Cards.
12.7 CURRENCY
The Unit of currency is the Uganda Shilling (Ugs). The exchange rate varies daily and different forex Burials' offer different rates with slight differences; they always display their rates outdoor. Confirm the rates prior to exchange
12.8 SECURITY
Kampala is relatively safe city. It is fairly safe to walk or take matatus around some areas at night, but do not take unnecessary chances.
12.9 AIRPORT
Entebbe International Airport (EBB,) is the principal international airport of Uganda. It is near the town of Entebbe, on the shores of Lake Victoria, and about 41 km (25 mi), by road, southwest of the central business district of Kampala, the capital of Uganda and the largest city in that country. The coordinates of the airport are 00°02'41"N, 032°26'35"E (Latitude: 0.044721; 32.443055). The headquarters of the Civil Aviation Authority of Uganda were relocated to a new block off the airport highway
Passenger facilities include a left-luggage office, banks, ATMs, foreign exchange bureaux, restaurants and duty-free shops. Entebbe International Airport uses the jetway boarding bridge system. The head office of Uganda Civil Aviation Authority is on the airport property.
Contact; Entebbe Airport, Uganda, PO Box 23, Entebbe, Uganda, Tell; +256 41 4352000
12.10 HEALTH
All participants will be responsible for their medical insurance and are kindly requested to carry the relevant documents on them, Participants that have health issues and are on medication are requested to carry their medication as it may not be possible to find them in Uganda.
Hotel Africana will provide emergency medical services on a cash basis to the participants/ delegates attending the meeting and these will be made available through contacting the hotel directly through Tell; 0414 777 500
12.11 SHOPPING MALLS
Nakumatt Uganda Ltd
Address; Yusuf Lule Road, P.O. Box 22066, Uganda, Kampala
(+256) 414 348040 / 50
Fax: (+256) 414 348060
Website: www.nakumatt.net
Garden City Shopping Centre
Address; Yusuf Lule Road, Uganda, Kampala
Phone: (+256) 414 258906/(+256)312 261414
Website: www.gardencityleisure.com
Game Discount Store
Address; Lugogo Shopping Mall, Jinja Road, Uganda, Kampala
Phone: (+256)312 350400
Website: www.game.co.za
Quality Hill Shopping Mall
Address; 1403 Ggaba Rd, Uganda, Kampala
Phone: (+256) 414 268916
Fax: (+256) 414 268916
Website: www.qualitycuts.net
Uchumi Supermarket (U) Ltd.
Address: Yusuf Lule Road, P.O.Box 33230, Kampala, Uganda
Phone: 031-2262300
Website: www.uchumi.com
Shoprite
Address: Ben Kiwanuka Street, Kampala, Uganda
Phone: 256 78 228100
Fax: 256 78 228100
Website: www.shoprite.co.za
12.12 EATING OUT
Hotel Africana Restaurant
Hotel Africana, Kampala, Uganda
Phone; +256 414 777 500
Café Javas
Yusuf Lule Road
Nakumatt Oasis Mall
TEL: +256414680667
Kampala, Uganda
Kyoto Japanese Restaurant
Yusuf Lule Road, Kampala, Uganda
Phone; (041) 423-7078
7 Hills Revolving Restaurant
Golf Course Hotel,
Yusuf Lule Road, kampala
12th Floor Garden City Shopping Mall
Tell; 041 456 3500
Bamboo Terrace
Golf Course Hotel
Yusuf Lule Road, kampala
Tel; 041 4563500
Boda Boda
Garden City Shopping Mall
Roof Top
Yusuf Lule Road
0414252525
New York Kitchen
Garden City Shopping mall
Lower Level Parking
Tel; 0414384585
Silver City Spur
Yusuf Lule Road
1st Floor Garden City Shopping mall
Tel; 0414563500
Pals Bar, Boutique and Restaurant
Jinja Rd, Kampala, Uganda
Phone:+256 782 350600
Centenary Barbeque Loungue
Centenary park
Jinja Road, kampala Uganda
+256 754955546
Centenary Park Chinese Restaurant
Address: Centenary Park, Plot 34/38 Yusuf, Uganda, Kampala
Phone: (+256)312 888669
Fax: (+256)414 236212
4 Points Ltd Bar and Restaurant
Centenary Park, Jinja Road, kampala Uganda
Tel; +256 702 377866/ +256 712 404 405
12.13 EMERGENCY NUMBERS
For all cases of emergency, the contacts bellow will be fully available for Assistance.
+246 414 777 500 Hotel Africana, Management
+256 787 498 587 John Paul, Conference Staff
+256 772 508 970 Robinah, Conference Staff
+256 752 807 890 Collins, Conference Staff
12.14 OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST & SPECIAL EVENTS
TOUR AND IN-COUNTRY TRANSPORT PACKAGES FOR SASA CONFERENCE
DELEGATES
| ITEM | UNIT COST ($) | CATEGORY/DETAILS | Min No. of Tourists
| Remarks |
| Airport Transfer | 120.00 | Airport Transfer | 3 | Fee includes pick up and drop off (2 way) |
| City tours | 150.00 | Special features like Uganda Museum, Ndere cultural centre, shopping places and Kampala down town, Mandera national stadium, Uganda Martyrs shrine, Kampala night life | 10 | Fee includes entrance fee to Uganda Museum, Uganda Martyrs shrine and Ndere cultural centre. |
| Medium distance tours | 200.00 | Entebbe wildlife education centre/zoo. | 5 | Fee includes entrance fee |
| Long distance tours
| 300.00 | Jinja Bujagali falls, Mabira forest; Source of River Nile | 5 | Fee includes entrance fee |
| 300.00 | View of the Ugandan Equator; Mpanga Forest | 5 | Fee includes entrance fee | |
| National Park
| 1,500.00 | Lake Mburo National Park | 5 | Fee includes entrance fee |
| 1,500.00 | Murchison Falls National Park | 5 | Fee includes entrance fee |
Important Notes:
-Do all your bookings for airport transfers and in-country tours with Pilot International. Contact Person: Robinah K. Nanyunja. Emails: Robinah.knanyunja@ecologicalpartyofuganda.org,robinahknanyunja@robinahknanyunja.com Tel: +256772508970, +256701508970
-All payments regarding your travel should be done in advance to plan for your airport pick up, drop off and in-country tours.
-Deadline to receive your booking, payment and itinerary is 5 days before the conference.
-All fees exclude snacks/lunches and accommodation fees.
-Please ensure that you have valid visas and the necessary travel documents for your travel, including travel insurance.
PAYMENT INFORMATION BY SWIFT:
Beneficiary: Pilot International
Account No: 10209170019
Bank Name & Address: Bank of Africa, Uganda Limited, Main Branch Kampala, Plot 45 Jinja Road, PO Box 2750 Kampala Uganda. Telephone: +256 414-302001, +256414-302118,
SWIFT: AFRIUGKAXXX
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