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In this issue, you will find:

Message from the Director General: P1 COSTECH employees celebrate the May Day: 2

COSTECH partners with EPZA to develop Technology Park: P3 HDIF project launched at COSTECH: P4

DANIDA signs MOU with COSTECH to fund research: P5 COSTECH meets with its scholars: P6

COSTECH participates in the 9th TCU 2014 annual exhibition: P7 COSTECH moves to boost quality of higher education: P8

Research is of paramount importance in national development: P9 New maize hybrids a breakthrough to drought and common diseases: P10

Nigerian scientists wary of anti-malarial GM mosquitoes: P11 Scientific research report: P13

Pictorial: P14 Upcoming event: P15

May 2014: Issue No. 30

Message from the Director General

Dear readers, Welcome to the May issue of the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH) e-Newsletter. This month, a number of changes and events have taken place at the COSTECH as part of our struggle to ensure science; technology and innovation contribute to the country’s sustainable development. One important event that took place during this month is the signing of Memorandum of partnership between COSTECH and the EPZA to secure the land for the establishment of Science and Technology Park. Having a technology park has been the COSTECH’s dream since the 2010s. The park is also part of the vision 2025 flagship project to position Tanzania as a leading ICT destination by leveraging and expanding Tanzanian technology and innovation focused industries. I am glad that the land has been secured and the ground work for the establishment of the park is underway. Another milestone accomplished during this month was the launch of the Human Development Innovation Fund (HDIF). I am thankful to the United Kingdom’s Department for International Fund (DFID) for to supporting innovative approaches to improving the quality, value for money and sustainability of basic services in the education, health and water and sanitation sectors in Tanzania.

Rather than depending on the fund provided by the government to carry out research related activities, the Commission strives to solicit and attract funds from other sources. This has been exhibited through various projects such as Sida, World Bank, TASENE, the HDIF project as well as the DANIDA. I am thankful to the Department of the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs to support COSTECH’s cause in funding South-driven development research. As you read along, you will discover other important events that took place at the Commission. With these few words, I sincerely hope that this newsletter, together with our website, will serve as valuable sources of information to a number of stakeholders, particularly researchers, innovator, Academics, R&D institutions and the public at large who are looking forward to collaborating with us. Kind regards, Dr. Hassan Mshinda DIRECTOR GENERAL.

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By Theophil Pima 2nd May 2014

The Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH) staff were among vibrant participants in the May Day celebrations held at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam on 1st May 2014. The May Day processions started at Kidongo Chekundu and ended at at the National Stadium where the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, His Excellency Dr Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, was the guest of honour. Addressing workers from different Tanzania institutions, President Kikwete said the government plans to increase salaries in the public sector during the 2014/2015 financial year. He said the government has consistently been increasing public pay from 65,000/- in 2005 to 240,000/- last year, but stressed that he is not pleased at the rate at which the pay is being increased in the private sector. “The Government currently spends 44 percent of its budget and 10 percent of national income in paying workers salaries. However because the government is focused on

improving the lives of its public servants, we have been increasing salaries,” he explained.

Fig. 1: A group photo featuring some of the COSTECH staff during the celebration of the May Day.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Ms Gaudensia Kabaka commended President Kikwete for being presented with Good Governance Award in Africa; urging employers to use the opportunity to follow the president’s footsteps by adhering to good governance ethics to reduce conflicts at workplaces. TUCTA Secretary General Nicholaus Mgaya urged the government to work on workers challenges that include improving salaries and reduce the PAYE tax. For his part, Chairman of RAAWU at COSTECH Mr Festo

Maro said like other organizations, COSTECH has the right to celebrate during the May Day. He said, as RAAWU leaders, he will try to convince

the management to improveg working conditions to COSTECH workers. “There are different working challenges at COSTECH, we are trying to discuss with our employer on how to improve them,” he said. COSTECH worker, Marystera Ngamea

commended COSTECH administration for using that day to run road show Advertisement. “I am very proud of the COSTECH administration as it allowed the Public relations department to organize road show advertisement; we were in the Branded open Van from COSTECH headquarters to the National stadium showcasing different activities which our Commission does,” she noted. Every Year on May 1st workers all over of the world celebrate their day. This year’s May Day theme of is “Good Governance ethics should reduce conflicts at workplaces.”

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By Sharifa Kalokola 26th May 2014

The Commission of Science and Technology (COSTECH) has signed an agreement with the Export and Processing zone Authority (EPZA) to develop a technology park on 26th May 2014. The initiative aims to facilitate and attract investments in technology and economic development. The park is the vision 2025 flagship project to position Tanzania as a leading ICT destination by leveraging and expanding Tanzanian technology and innovation focused industries. The Raphta city Science and Technology Park will be located within the 300 acres of the Bagamoyo Special Economic Zone in the Coastal region. The COSTECH together with EPZA will develop the basic infrastructure. “The park will offer the opportunity to attract investors, create employment and build capacity,” Dr Hassan Mshinda, COSTECH’s Director General said at the signing ceremony held at the EPZA office headquarters in Dar es Salaam. Dr Mshinda also noted that the park will attract investors dealing with software and hardware development, data management and security, research and development institutions, universities, ICT Companies, science incubators, telecoms, companies that can bring various works done

in the countries while in abroad (Business Process Outsourcing), and other knowledge based investments.

Fig. 2: Dr. Aldehelm Meru, EPZA Director General (left) together with COSTECH’s Director General Dr Hassan Mshinda sign the Joint Partnership Agreement to develop the Raptha City Technology Park in Bagamoyo District. Looking on is the EPZA officer Ms. Sarah Patrick and the COSTECH Legal Officer Ms. Zaibnab Bakari. The event took place at the office headquarters in Dar es Salaam.

“Six IT-BPO companies from India have shown interest to invest at the park while the Linkonkwing University from Malaysia has expressed interest to offer the Multimedia course at the same place” he added. “This is a chance for Tanzania to develop the economy and become the centre of ICT in the East African region,” Dr. Aldehelm Meru, EPZA Director General said. Dr. Meru said that after the two

organizations have laid down basic infrastructure, such as roads, water, electricity and sewerage; they are planning on calling for big

companies to come to invest in the park. “We anticipate companies such as the International Business Machines Corporation (IBM), Microsoft, Samsung, and others to be among our tenants,” he added. Science parks are found all over the world, but are mostly in developed countries. Prominent examples from Africa include Technopark Africa (Ivory Coast); Technopole du Toamasina (Senegal); Konza ICT Technology Park

(Kenya); Technopole du Dakar and Dakar Technopolis (Senegal); Kigali ICT Park (Rwanda); National University of Science and Technology Technopark (Zimbabwe) Technopark Stellenbosch, Softline Technology Park, Highveld Techno Park, Innovation Hub Science Park, and Coega Technology Park (South Africa), to mention just a few. Other technology parks can be located at the Purdue Research Park in West Lafayette, in Indiana, Hsinchu Science Park in Taiwan, The Research Triangle Park in North Carolina, NanKang Software Park, The Advanced Manufacturing Park in Sheffield, Cambridge Science Park and NETpark in County Durham, England, Daedeok Innopolis in South Korea and Technopark in Stellenbosch, South Africa.

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By Sharifa Kalokola 12th May 2014

The Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH) in collaboration with the United Kingdom’s Department for International Fund (DFID) has launched the Human Development Innovation Fund (HDIF) on 12th May 2014. The fund intends to support innovative approaches to improving the quality, value for money and sustainability of basic services in the education, health and water and sanitation sectors in Tanzania. The grant is worth Pounds £ 30 million (TZS 83,514,000,000) for five years. Around Pounds £ 400,000 will be granted in the first call for proposals that will be announced on 13th May 2014. David McGinty, HDIF team leader said that projects that are viable, sustainable and have impact are likely to win the funds. Dr Mohammed Gharib Bilal, the Tanzanian Vice President was the guest of honour at the event. He said that the new fund is an opportunity for youths to nurture their creative ideas. “Education, health, water and sanitation are inseparable

entities and have big impact on community livelihoods and wellbeing, the most formidable challenge rests on how to extend these services and improve their quality. I believe that, this initiative will address these challenges,” he said.

Fig. 3: From left to right; Dr Marshall Elliot, Head of DFID Tanzania, Professor Makame Mbarawa- Minister of Communications, Science and Technology, His Excellency Vice President Dr Mohamed Gharib Bilal, Dr. Hassan Mshinda -Director General Commission for Science and Technology and Mr David McGinty-HDIF Tanzania team leader.

Fig. 4: Professor Makame Mbarawa, the Minister for Science and Technology addresses the audience.

The United Kingdom, through DFID has funded various projects in Tanzania including in the ICT project MPESA which is the transfer of funds using mobile phone technology that has transformed financial management in East Africa. The HDIF is expected to complement the existing UK budget and sector support to the Government of Tanzania through DFID Tanzania and catalyse the development and testing of new models of service delivery, the use of new technologies, and the involvement of new providers and the establishment of new partnerships, with a focus on the private sector and public-private partnerships. The fund will also build the capacity of COSTECH, strengthen the culture of innovation and use of science and technology in

development, and ensure that findings and lessons learned are shared with government and other key stakeholders. HDIF is managed primarily through a grant manager, GRM, obtained through a competitive process.

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By Sharifa Kalokola 21st May 2014

Tanzanian research sector needs cooperation from scientist from both mainland and isle. The Department of the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH) to fund South driven development research on 21st May 2014. The initiative aims to address national key problems through research and building research capacity. Denmark will grant up to Danish Kroner (DKK) 10 million (TZS 3,044,780,510) per project for a period of up to five years. The projects will be carried out in cooperation with Danish research partners. The project will also offer funds for PhD and Postdoctoral studies. Steen Sonne, Denmark’s deputy ambassador said that researchers in Tanzania will take the lead in defining and managing the research projects. “Our primary interest is that the research carried out is of high relevance to the development of this country, not least in terms of contributing – directly or

indirectly – to key development agendas of the country, and contributing to inclusive growth, poverty reduction and reducing inequality in this country,” Sonne said at the signing event held at the COSTECH headquarters in Dar es Salaam.

Fig. 5: Danish Deputy Ambassador to Tanzania Steen Sonne and COSTECH’s director general Hassan Mshinda signing the Memorandum of Agreement to support development research.

Fig. 6: Steen Sonne, Danish Deputy Ambassador (standing) said that research is an important part of Denmark's cooperation with Tanzania.

Dr. Hassan Mshinda, COSTECH’s director general says that the initiative will create opportunities for research to generate solutions and to ensure that the research results are applied. Dr. Mshinda said that the movement complements other efforts to support

multidisciplinary programmes set up to strengthen scientific cooperation between Northern and Tanzanian researchers. “We cannot have development without Science Technology and Innovation,” he said.

Lasse Møller, Danish Ministry’s

Chief Technical Adviser said that the funds will be released in competitive bases.

Møller said that winning research must be of high scientific quality, relevance to problems and should have an impact in addressing problems in the country. The call for grant applications are available via the hyperlink;

http://dfcentre.com/research/calls-for-applications/.

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By Sharifa Kalokola 17th May 2014 A monitoring and evaluation team from the Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH) has visited candidates at the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), and University of Dodoma (UDOM), who have received COSTECH’s Msc and PhD sponsorships. The visits to the two universities from 14th to 16th May 2014, aimed at monitoring the progress of the students as well as at reinforcing the scholarship program through sharing challenges and strengths with students and the university management. Dr. Bakari Msangi, COSTECH’s coordinator of the National Fund for Advancement of Science and Technology (NFAST), said that the scholarship program intends to build capacity of human resources in research institutions. As part of COSTECH’s role to promote science and technology in Tanzania, the commission also provides research grants and facilities to scientific institutions. During the meeting, Dr. Msangi announced that COSTECH will reward outstanding students with opportunities to present their research findings in high profile conferences, funding to develop their research studies and sponsorship for post doctoral studies.

He also said that the commission will create opportunities for young scientists to work in research projects with senior researchers as a way to mentoring. “We want the young scientists to learn from their seniors. This grooms them to be better scientists since they will have mentors to coach them in their careers,” he said.

Fig. 7: Dr. Bakari Msangi NFAST coordinator speaks to the COSTECH scholars at the university. On his right is Zainab Bakari, COSTECH’s Principal legal Officer.

COSTECH has sponsored over 500 researchers at the level of Msc and PhD programmes within 2010 to 2013. The academics studies are being undertaken in almost 13 local universities. The process of offering scholarships begins with nomination of candidates aged 45 or below by their research institutions. The nominees must have the university admission in the fields of agriculture, energy, transport, water and sanitation, resource mobilisation and health.

Women candidates are given a high priority. Dr. Msangi insisted that following completion of their study tenure, candidates will be bounded to work in their research institutions for at least five years. Professor Amon Maerere, deputy director of Research and postgraduate studies at the Sokoine University of Agriculture

said that COSTECH sponsorship has increased the number of postgraduate students as students are not required to pay back the grants that they receive. Hosea Kimata, a master’s student from Sokoine University of Agriculture says that he has managed to achieve his goal of studying master’s degree through the

scholarship program. “I couldn’t afford paying for the college fee, but the COSTECH’s scholarship has helped me advance my research skills,” he said. Rose Mdenyi, is another recipient of COSTECH scholarship. She is pursuing her MSc in Computer Science at the University of Dodoma. “My wish is to help the young generation do more research on computer science,” she said. Prof. Ahmed Amme, the Director of Research and Postgraduate Studies from the University of Dodoma urged COSTECH to sponsor more students to UDOM in the next academic years.

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By Mr. Theophil Pima 23rd May 2014

Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH) was among the participants for the 9th exhibitions on Higher Education Science, Technology and Innovation at Diamond Jubilee Hall Dar es Salaam from 21st - 23rd May 2014. Giving the speech during the inauguration ceremony, the Guest of Honor who also is the Minister for Communication, Science and Technology Prof. Makame Mbarawa said Science, Technology and innovation is inevitable in transforming socio-economic development in Tanzania. Prof. Mbarawa pointed out that the government of the United Republic of Tanzania strives hard to promote science, technology and innovation in the country and that is why it has the interest of leveraging national development through higher education, science, technology and innovation

For his part COSTECH Senior Research Officer, Dr. Joseph Maziku said that as a move to promote science, technology and innovation in the country COSTECH has so far sponsored more than 500 Masters and PhD students enrolled in different Universities in the country.

Fig. 8: COSTECH Senior Research Officer, Dr. Joseph Maziku(first left) describes different activities of the Commission to Researchers from Open University of Tanzania who visited COSTECH pavallion on 22ndMay 2014

He noted that priorities for sponsorship are given to researchers in science courses including Health, Agriculture, Fisheries, Livestock, ICT, Engineering, Basic Sciences and other related sciences.

Dr. Maziku also pointed out that because universities conduct research and that is why COSTECH has the interest of working hand in hand with them to make sure they train qualified researchers who will serve in the Research and Development institutions.

The 9th exhibitions on Higher Education Science, Technology and Innovation offer a unique platform for local, regional and international agencies and organizations with an interest in higher education, training and skill development to meet, network, share their experiences and expertise and display their products and

services to the public in order to stimulate and promote higher education in Tanzania for socioeconomic development. The annual event involved more than 70 Higher Education Science, Technology and Innovation institutions with a theme of leveraging national development through higher education, Science, technology and innovation.

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By GERARD KITABU 26th May 2014 Tanzania has embarked on an initiative aimed at enabling the country become a knowledge economy, by increasing the quantity and quality of higher education graduates with special emphasis on science, technology, and education. Faith Shimba who is the Director for Knowledge Management at the Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH) revealed this during the Higher Education Science and Technology Exhibition in Dar es Salaam over the weekend. He said the initiative will build capacity of institutions of higher learning using openly available curriculum of world-class excellence to produce graduates with skills that will make them compete at national and international labour market and also make them create jobs if they wish to do so. He said the Science and Technology Higher Education Project (STHEP) under Ministry of Education and Vocational Training is supporting the goal. “Tanzania is expected to increase its ability to attract high calibre students from the region. This creates a greater need to deliver higher quality curriculum on-campus in Tanzania,” he said. He said with the right support, students should be able to successfully master world-class curriculum. At the moment an extremely small percentage of highly capable African students go abroad to meet their needs for academic challenge in the field of IT. He said there were four major factors driving the need for high

quality degree curriculum in IT in Tanzania which are the country's path to improve quality of higher education and the country's increasing ability to attract high calibre students from the region. Others are limited ability of African students to travel and stay in the western world to acquire world-class education and the growing need for IT and ICT knowledge and skills necessary to meet growing demand for technically skilled workers in Tanzanian corporations. According to Shimba, the project identified and designed all curriculum and content for the SMART Knowledge Hub in Dar es Salaam. The Ministry of Communication, Science and Technology agreed to implement the Living Labs Project together with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland. That Cooperation is spearheaded in the TANZICT Project which is an information Society and ICT Sector Development partnership. He said it includes reviewing, assessing and participating in current Coursera Massive online courses (MOOC) IT and ICT curriculum, recommending MOOC curriculum and curriculum sequencing, liaising with university leadership in Dar es Salaam to identify willing partners, and recruiting additional academic discipline-targeted faculty from surrounding university IT department,” he said The Institute of Finance Management and The Open University of Tanzania participated in the pilot project. The assignment also required to train new faculty in the MOOC, flip

the classroom pedagogy and assess quality of instruction and student outcomes. He said He said the combination of training the students from the participating universities from Dar es Salaam and the faculty helps in creating the model to expand the MOOC across the country. Commenting on the initiative, Director General for COSTECH, Dr Hassan Mshinda said it was the first ever initiative that will bring Universities, higher learning institutions and students in particular under one roof. “In recent years we have witnessed increase of Universities which is good but lecturers are few in number such that one lecturer has to travel all the way from Dar es Salaam to another University sometimes upcountry and teach students on part time basis there. This programme is also aimed at addressing these problems,” he said. For Tanzania to achieve the mission of enhancing the IT and ICT learning outcomes and quality of graduates with the provision to attract scholars from the region, the approach of MOOC is vital for taking the advantage of the critical mass. He said. MOOC has many platforms of hundreds of courses that can produce quality workforce in the IT field. It is also encouraged that Universities uses MOOC in some of their classes in quest to increase the quality of teaching and learning process. Source: The Guardian

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By Daniel Semberya 22nd May 2014 When opening the the Smart Partnership for Dialogue Conference that took place in Dar es Salaam, last year, President Kikwete said the major difference between developed and developing countries is the investment in science and technology. Governments in developing countries should start now to invest in research. Research based knowledge is necessary to address existing and emerging development problems and support for development research is an important element of Danish development cooperation. Commenting on the COSTECH Framework Agreement with Danida, where Denmark government will give around US dollars 6 million to Tanzanian researchers, the Tanzania commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH)’s Director General Dr Hassan Mshinda says that Denmark has been collaborating with the Government of Tanzania in the research field for a long time now. But during all these days it was the Danish research institutions that proposed which areas they wanted to carry on. However, with the new agreement with the Danish government, Dr Mshinda says Tanzanian researchers will compete for funds given by the Danish government and those who will win, would carry out researches in line with the Tanzania’s five years national development plan, and the national plan of boosting the economy and alleviation of poverty.

Mshinda says, the expected coming researches would now aim at enabling the local researchers to find out solutions to the current problems it is facing. The Tanzanian researchers should now know and identify what are the most priority things Tanzanians need,” he noted.

Fig. 9: COSTECH's Director General Dr Hassan Mshinda (R) stresses a point on the importance of research to development to journalists and researchers not seen. (Photo: Daniel Semberya)

Mshinda has urged Tanzanian researchers to use that opportunity, and for those who will succeed to get funds, they should carry their researches seriously and find solutions to problems that have been facing their fellow Tanzanians, in education, health, agriculture, economic and poverty among others. Previously the main challenge was seen as the transfer of knowledge produced by Danish and other international research institutions to produce the knowledge needed to improve conditions in Tanzania. At his part Head of Cooperation and Deputy of Head Mission in the Embassy of Denmark in Tanzania Steen Sonne Andersen said that

“Research is an important part of Denmark's cooperation with Tanzania.” No country has developed ahead of its universities. Research is of paramount importance for development. For this reason Denmark supports development of research capacity and the creation of research results that are relevant for economic and social development of our development cooperation partner countries, including and not least Tanzania. “There are several different research support programmes presently ongoing in the country with currently 29 active research projects under these research programmes – and still more to come!” As a completely new development within our support to development research the MFA has finalized a “Strategic Framework for Danish Support for Development Research 2014-2018”. It was approved by the Danish Minister for Trade and Development Cooperation last month (in April) and it is available on the Danish Foreign Ministry's website. In the strategy, the south driven modality is being prioritized even more in the future. This means that institutions in Tanzania take the lead in defining project, selecting Danish research partners and managing research projects. We find it important that researchers in the south are in the driver’s seat and define the research projects that they wish to undertake together with Danish researcher. Continued on pg. 12

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By Gerard Kitabu 27th May 2014 Scientists, agriculture researchers and farmers taking part in the on-farm demonstration plots of the three newly released drought tolerant maize hybrids have described the performance of the new varieties as a breakthrough to drought and common maize diseases. In recent years, farmers across the country have suffered from drought and maize diseases such as maize leaf rust, and streak and gray leaf spot among many others. These have reduced and at times paralysing their full production capacity of the crop in some regions. The newly released maize hybrid varieties by Water Efficient Maize for Africa (WEMA) project were demonstrated recently at Agriculture Research Institute-Ilonga, Kilosa district. The new hybrids are WE2109, WE2112, and WE2113 and they are adapted to both low and mid attitude ecologies. Speaking during a tour of the sites, Wema project product development team leader Dr Barnabas Kiula said the varieties were evaluated across three seasons from 2011 to 2013 in the multi sites of Ifakara in Kilombero District and Dakawa in Mvomero District.

Other sites were Ngaramtoni in Arusha District, Kilimatembo village in Karatu District and Makutupora in Dodoma Region. The maize varieties are now being demonstrated at four locations of Vitonga village in Mvomero District, Kilimatembo village in Karatu District, Ilonga in Kilosa District and at Kabuku village in Handeni District.

Fig. 10: Wema project product development team lead Dr Barnabas Kiula leads farmers and agricultural researchers to assess the progress of newly released drought resistant maize hybrid species.

He said that apart from production of the hybrids, the project has also involved different seed firms to start production of certified seeds so as to fulfill the high demands shown by farmers. Dr Kiula who is also the head of Maize Research Sub-Programme at the Agriculture Research Institute (ARI-Ilonga) said that further research is underway to come up with other new hybrid varieties every year.

“When you have many varieties, you automatically create more chances to farmers to grow varieties which they like most. Also, the chance of maize succumbing to diseases becomes low as these cultivars are genetically different from each other,” he said. Commending the performance of the new hybrids, he said farmers braving for low maize productivity

in low and mid attitudes will soon be relieved of their problems. “Tanzanians should start using these new hybrids to increase their incomes and enhance their standards of living,” he said. He adds: “Today, we have agreed with at least three seed companies-- Meru Agro, Soba Agaro and Agree Seed to

venture in certified seed production of the new hybrids.” He said that the project was looking for other more seed producers such as contract growers if possible to assist in the multiplication of parents of the hybrids. Furthermore, at ARI-Ilonga the Wema project has developed an Isolation crossing block (ICB) for maintenance and multiplication of parental lines of the hybrids,” he said. Continued on pg.12

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By Adole Abutu 19th May 2014

[ABUJA] A vast majority of Nigeria’s scientists are sceptical about using genetically modified (GM) mosquitoes to tackle malaria in the country, a study suggests. Nearly 90 per cent of surveyed scientists were concerned that such mosquitoes could spread in an uncontrolled way beyond their release sites, while more than 94 per cent feared they could mate with other mosquito species to produce hybrids with unknown consequences, finds the study published in Malaria Journal last month (23 April). And almost 93 per cent of the scientists said that, before any GM mosquitoes (GMMs) were released in Nigeria, contingency measures must be available to remove them should a hazard become evident, according to the study. The male GM mosquitoes are designed to pass a lethal gene to the offspring of wild female mosquitoes they mate with, killing the progeny before they reach adulthood. The introduction of GM mosquitoes has been suggested by scientists as a way of controlling mosquito-borne diseases in countries such as Nigeria, which has the largest

burden of malaria in Africa. Last month, Brazil approved the release of GM mosquitoes to control dengue fever, following trials in various countries. Nigeria’s Malaria Eradication Programme encourages innovative ways of supporting current efforts to control malaria-spreading mosquitoes, although there are no clear plans to use GM mosquitoes there yet. The new study surveyed 164 scientists working in various disciplines in two states, Oyo and Kwara. Nigerian scientists want to be involved if GM mosquitoes are released, Patricia N. Okorie, lead author of the study and a researcher at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, tells SciDev.Net. “The scientists are willing to encourage the use of GMMs if they are carried along during the process and if there are contingency measures to remove GMMs if a hazard becomes evident during the course of the release,” she says. “This means that, if all these conditions are met and [so] the scientists are in support, any potential release in Nigeria will be backed with scientific arguments.” She adds: “Nigerian scientists are knowledgeable on genetic

modification and the applications of biotechnology, and our results show that over 90 per cent had heard or read about genetic modification. They are not ignorant on GMMs and will encourage its use if certain conditions are met.” Okechukwu Chukwuekezie, chief medical officer at the National Arbovirus and Vector Research Centre, Nigeria, tells SciDev.Net that the GM mosquito research is worth undertaking, but adds that it is currently impossible to confine the mosquitoes in a particular location or state. Georgina Mwansat, an entomologist at the University of Jos, Nigeria, says that GM mosquitoes are an unsustainable way to cut malaria because Nigeria lacks the resources and facilities to deploy them. “So I am not surprised that most of the scientists interviewed are sceptical,” she says. But she is not convinced that the study fairly reflects the views of the country’s scientists. “164 scientists from two states out of 36 states is not enough to form an opinion on all of scientists in the country,” she says. Source: SciDev.net

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From page 8. The strategy also emphasizes support to development of research capacity at the national level in our priority countries. This is why we are signing an agreement today with COSTECH. We want to enter into collaboration with COSTECH and use COSTECH as a strategic partner in our support to development research in Tanzania. Seen from the Danish Embassy in Tanzania, “our primary interest is that the research carried out is of high relevance to the development of this country, not least in terms of contributing – directly or indirectly – to key development agendas of the country, and contributing to inclusive growth, poverty reduction and reducing inequality in this country.” These are indeed the key priorities in the new Country Policy guiding the future cooperation between Tanzania and Denmark – cooperation in the fields of development, commerce, culture and research. We would like to see high-quality research by Tanzanian institutions playing a role also in this bigger picture. Relevance to national development context – and real capacity strengthening of Tanzanian institutions – are key. Today’s meeting is meant to provide you with more information regarding Danish support to development research and the possibilities for applying for funds. I know the programme and I can tell you that it is a very tough competition. But those of you who do make it to the finish line will be able to benefit tremendously from the international collaboration. The resulting high-quality research and strong research capacities hopefully ultimately benefitting the development of your nation as well. These years there is an increasing awareness among political leaders in developing countries about the importance of research and research based decision making. And some countries have begun to invest their own public funds in research. The shift of emphasis does not imply that Danish and other international research institutions will cease to be important partners. Denmark has a strong tradition of undertaking development research. Danish research institutions are internationally renowned and contribute immensely to generating new knowledge and innovative solutions that are much needed by Tanzania and other developing countries. In a globalised world, international research cooperation is an important aspect of increased economic, social and political cooperation across national boundaries, and working together brings obvious synergies and gains for researchers both in developing countries and in Denmark.

Source: The Guardian

From page 10. For their part, the farmers at Vitonga village, Mlali ward, Mvomero District said that as opposed to other maize varieties, the new hybrids were healthy, strong and potential in terms of high yields, drought and common maize diseases. Abdallah Seleman, said that when he planted one of the new hybrids on March 16, this year, it took only few weeks to outsmart other maize varieties. “For many years the farmers in our villages have braved low maize productivity due to lack of rains. With these new maize hybrid varieties, I think this situation is going to be history,” he said. Gaitan Kulinyagwa and Alfreda Jonas who are among the farmers who have planted the new hybrids in their demonstration plots in March this rain season said, unlike other maize varieties, the new hybrid varieties have not shown any maize disease symptoms, let alone the drought. They said in other maize varieties, the farmers usually experience some insects which feed on maize and reduce the ability of the growing maize to reach maturity, while yields are reduced as well. “Maize diseases or insects are very bad. They reduce production yet we have little resources to manage them. So, the new varieties will help poor farmers to get better yield,” they said. The water efficient Maize for Africa (Wema) is a joint project involving the regional countries of Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, Mozambique and Tanzania. In Tanzania this project is managed by the Commission for Science and Technology (Costech) in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Cooperatives through the department of research development (DRD). Source: The Guardian

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This article was submitted as part of the Progress Reports for research projects that are registered with the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH). The report was submitted by Sieid Clostingh, Thomas Cronin, Kendal McGuffie, Hedi Oberhansi, and Peolo Pirazzoli, March 2012. The article was published in a Journal by Elservier, Global and Planetary Change. Vol. 47, Issue No.2, 2010. RESEARCH ABSTRACT: The researchers compared surface climate (temperature and moisture) measured on an hourly basis at ten elevations on Kilimanjaro with equivalent observations in the free atmosphere from NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data, for September 2004 0 July 2008. On the lower forested slope the mountains surface is consistently cooler and moisture than the atmospheric boundary layer. In contrast, temperatures and moisture on the higher slopes above tree line (~3000m) are decoupled from the free atmosphere, showing

substantial heating/cooling by day/night and import of moisture up from lower elevations during daylight hours. RESEARCH SUMMARY/INTRODUCTION: Citing from other researchers who have done similar studies- researchers such as Hastenrath and Greichar, 1997; Thompson et al., 2002; Kaser et al., 2004; Cullen et al., 2006; Thompson et al., 2002, the researchers argue that the summit ice fields on Kilimanjaro are undergoing substantial retreat. A long story has shown that an increased dying of the summit climate is largely responsible for current net ablation of ice. A drier climate will decrease cloud cover, increase the saturation deficit, increase direct solar radiation, and decrease precipitation. All these change s will decrease glacier mass balance through a combination of reduced accumulation, reduced albedo and enhanced sublimation driven by intense radiation. Three main sources of data are used in this study,

including (i) NCEP/NCAR reanalysis free-air temperatures and humidities, and (ii) autonomous surface temperature and humidity measurements, and (iii) surface wind speed and direction from field observations. The paper also covers the research results, and analyses all of which are accompanied by pictures, tables, charts and graphs. RESEARCH SUMMARY AND DISCUSSION: The study has examined temperature and humidity records from ten locations up the south-western slope of Kilimanjaro and has compared them with simultaneous free-air measurements derived from NCEP/NCAR reanalysis. The researchers wind up their paper by arguing that the more they can understand how the land-use on the mountain influences the summit regime, and how thermal and mechanical forcing interact in moisture transport, the more impetus this will provide for local conservation efforts.

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Fig. 11: COSTECH’s Director General Dr Hassan Mshinda (right), congratulates his counterpart Dr. Aldehelm Meru, EPZA Director General (left) right after signing the Joint Partnership Agreement to develop the Technology Park. The event took place at the EPZA headquarters in Dar es Salaam on May 26

th, 2014.

Fig. 12: Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics of the University of Dodoma, Prof Ludovick Kinabo (far right) chats with the COSTECH team Dr. Bakari Msangi; coordinator, National Fund for Advancement of science and Technology (NFAST); Ms. Zainab Bakari; principal legal officer together with Ms. Hilda Lyatuu; senior research officer, when they paid him a courtesy visit on 16

th May 2014.

Fig. 13: Steen Sonne, Danish Deputy Ambassador (standing) delivers a speech during the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between DANIDA and COSTECH to support development research. Mr. Sonne said that research is an important part of Denmark's cooperation with Tanzania. The event took place at COSTECH headquarters on 21

st May

2014.

Fig. 14: COSTECH’s former Director of Information and Documentation Mr. Theophilus Mlaki, deliveres a vote of thanks after the HDIF had been launched. Mr. Mlaki urged that innovators should focus on a grass approach that addresses local needs. The event took place at COSTECH headquarters on 12

th May 2014.

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