Information and communication technologies (ICTs) have generally had a positive impact on science in the developing world. Yet, when it comes to science publications, long-standing challenges persist, and new challenges have surfaced due to the rapid spread of electronic information delivery systems.
Berhanu Molla Abegaz (TWAS Fellow 1998), who was recently appointed executive director of the African Academy of Science (AAS), explains how "science for development" will be at the centre of the AAS's programmatic initiatives.
The deadline for nominations to the 2011 Ernesto Illy Trieste Science Prize is 20 July 2011. Nominations should be sent to prizes@twas.org.
Gas hydrates, an abundant yet difficult to extract source of energy, could play a key role in meeting the world's future energy needs, says Harsh K. Gupta (TWAS Fellow 1995), Panikkar professor at the National Geophysical Research Institute in Hyderabad, India.
Ways to improve faculty research and training on issues related to biosecurity and biosafety were at the centre of discussions at a workshop in Trieste that was sponsored by the US National Academies of Sciences (NAS) and hosted by TWAS.
Although massive amounts of data from sources such as Landsat have become open access, users still face many obstacles, says TWAS Public Information Officer Daniel Schaffer in a feature article published on SciDev.Net.
In the 29 June 2011 edition of Nature, TWAS executive director Romain Murenzi speaks about the need to encourage and support young scientists in Africa as a key to building a strong foundation for science-based development in Africa.
Transparency was the often-repeated word at the session, "Under the Pressure Cooker: How Information Professionals Communicate Big Stories." The session, jointly organized by TWAS and the US National Academy of Sciences, took place at the 2011 World Conference of Science Journalists in Doha, Qatar.
SciDev.Net has recently spoken with TWAS executive director Romain Murenzi about his plans for the Academy.