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November Issue No.012

In this issue, you will find:

Message from the Director General: P1 COSTECH recognizes female entrepreneur: P2 Nokia to introduce Mobile Math in schools P3

Equatorial Guinea delegates visit COSTECH: P4 ESRF presents a third draft of EMIS and HERIs: P5

COSTECH to establish a Nanotech platform: P6 SIDA delegates visits COSTECH: P7

Did you ever know: P8 What is Biotechnology: P8 Scientific research report: P9

Pictorial: P10 Upcoming Events: P11

Message from the Director General

Welcome to the eleventh offering of our monthly e-newsletter. In this month, a lot of events continued to happen at

the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH).

In this month, COSTECH recognized and honored the achievements made by one of its cluster members for winning various awards and accomplishments. Starting the clothing business in her backyard, she has emerged to become the business mogul and inspire hundreds of women and young adults. After having won several awards and registered numerous achievements in the entrepreneurship docket, the COSTECH saw the need to honor her outstanding efforts, especially in helping to transform and improve the lives of those who once said they ‘have no future’ by employing many and training many more. That is what the Commission is most proud of. This month we also received the Equatorial Guinea delegation. The delegation came to Tanzania with the aim of exploring and promoting scientific collaborations in areas of research, technology transfer, investment in areas of biotechnology, solar energy and other areas of life sciences. It was good to have them and we hope that whatever we planned will materialize. Another aspect that took place, this month, is the coming together of the researchers and academicians interested in Nanotechnology discipline. It is high time Tanzanians learn how to design and manufacture of functional materials, devices, and systems using nanotechnology. COSTECH hopes that with the assistance from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, based in South Africa, Tanzania will be able to have its own Nanotechnology platform. Our aim is to have as many platforms as possible; currently, COSTECH has already established Biotechnology platform, Renewable energy platform, an e-publishing platform, and now looking forwad to establishing a nanotechnology one. I sincerely hope that this e-newsletter, together with our website, will serve as a valuable source of information to a number of stakeholders, particularly Researchers, Innovators, Academics, R&D institutions and the public at large who are looking forward to collaborating with us. As you read along, I would like to remind you that as a nation, Tanzania still faces a lot of challenges which include: climate change, environment, health, energy, space administration, ICT, food security, etc. The COSTECH needs your inputs to address these problems and other national priority areas. Finally, I would like to thank the people who have worked tirelessly in preparing this e-newsletter and would like to invite all of you to contribute to it in the future issues. I wish you a good reading. Dr. Hassan Mshinda

DIRECTOR GENERAL.

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By Gaudensia Mngumi 14th November 2012

On Thursday November 8th, 2012 the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH), convened a Press Conference in order to recognize and honor the achievements made by one of its cluster members Ms. Flotea Massawe. After having won several awards and registered numerous achievements in the entrepreneurship docket, the Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH) has recognized Flotea Massawe as an outstanding achiever in developing and promoting women in the country and in Africa at large. COSTECH has honoured and recognized Massawe’s entrepreneurship works which have granted her several awards in small and medium entrepreneurs (SMEs) categories presented by various renowned entrepreneurship promotion bodies. Speaking during the recognition event in Dar es Salaam, the COSTECH Acting Director of Centre for Development and Transfer of Technology, Dr Dugushilu Mafunda, lauded Massawe for her outstanding achievements. He lauded her for developing and promoting underprivileged women entrepreneurs in the textile sector.

Massawe’s owns a company which manufactures tailored textile products handcrafts based on the market driven economy in 2012 and won two awards. In September Massawe emerged the second winner of SMME in Africa presented by African Growth Institute based in Cape Town, South Africa, further more last month she won another Pan African award bestowed to her by the Federation of Africa Women Entrepreneurs Association (FEWA).

Fig. 1: Mrs. Flotea Massawe shows off her SMME award to the media anchors (not pictures). Looking on is the Acting Director of the Centre for Development and Transfer of Technology, Dr Dugushilu Mafunda

The latter was presented to Massawe by the UN Women and the International Labor Organisation (ILO), in recognition of her economic participation and support of women’s entrepreneurship development in Africa. COSTECH supported Massawe’s company, under textile cluster category which supports entrepreneurship groups that undertake innovative production activities, according to Dr Mafunda.

Speaking about herself, Mrs. Massawe said: “I started the business in my living room two decades ago. Starting with just a few friends, but the business has now grown to over 40 employees and serves as a model business structure in Africa,” says Massawe. She added that her business is largely run by women and focuses on employing women although men are also employed. She mentioned that inter alia her major achievements are job creation for more than 40 employees who are engaged in production of various textiles brands that fetch local and international markets. Massawe is proud of supporting various disadvantaged women through employment and providing on-job trainings to update their skills in order to promote spirits of innovations so as to better lives and working standards of the employees.

Fig. 2: Mrs. Flotea Massawe shows off her other award to the media anchors (not pictures), during the Press Conference that took place at COSTECH Conference hall on November, 2012

Source:http://www.ippmedia.com/f

rontend/index.php?l=47987

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On November 13th, 2012 the Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH), hosted a presentation led by Riita Vansika, the project coordinator for Mobile Learning for Mathematics from the Nokia Company, in Finland. The presentation, titled, “Mobile Learning for Mathematics in Formal and Informal Education,” intended to introduce the easiest way of learning mathematics through mobile phones program. Ms. Vansika pointed out that after conducting a feasibility study in some of developing countries; Nokia found out that many developing countries suffer from high unemployment and a dysfunctional education sector. To solve that problem, mobile learning can fill this void by delivering high quality and reliable content and learning activities for learners and teachers, thus empowering low income learners to access high quality education and to aspire for a brighter future. It is through that study the company came out with the idea of introducing a system that will stimulate interest in Mathematics, and thus encourage students to have passion in nurturing a science culture in Tanzania schools. She also pointed out that despite encouraging Tanzania students to like Math, the programme will enable learners to access content and study packages for grade 10-12 Mathematics, interact with others, participate and learn

actively, collaborate on problem solving, motivate and be motivated. The system also enables teachers to manage learner participation, communicate with learners, motivate learners, monitor, analyze and assess learners’ achievement, access class relevant content, and enrich teaching activities.

“In some African countries such as South Africa and Senegal, the Mobile Math has proven to improve learners’ confidence by 14%, Math confidence increased, more collaboration between learners, and learner to teacher, and very interestingly, 82% of the usage happens outside school hours,” Ms. Vansika added.

Fig. 3: Ms. Riita Vansika addresses the importance of Mobile Math to some of the COSTECH employees (not pictured), when she delivered a presentation on November 13th, 2012.

Nokia plans to expand the service to new countries, such as Senegal (in co-operation with UNESCO), Tanzania, Nigeria, and Kenya. If the pilot project will be accepted in Tanzania, Nokia plans to start the implementation in 2013, and be the main funder but with strong support from the Tanzanian government.

In the same year, the project will go through continuous evaluation and review of impact and if pilot experiences have been positive, in 2014, scaling up the project to new schools (formal & informal will continue). The project itself will be implemented by the Nokia Company in collaboration with partners such as COSTECH, Tanzanian Institute of Education, Dar es Salaam University College of Education (DUCE), Mobile Operators, Tanzanian Education Authority (TEA), Tanzanian Communication and Regulatory Authority (TCRA),, Ministry of Education and Vocational Training (MoEVT), Ministry of Communication, Science and Technology (MCST), TANZICT, Commonwealth of Learning, and UNESCO-Dar es Salaam Office. According to Ms. Vansika, the partners will be responsible for the overall project roll-out in Tanzania, performs negotiations with local service providers and government and NGO partners, learn the impact evaluation and research, collect feedback and experiences as well as prepare reports and usage statistics, manages user accounts and roles for local project coordinators and teachers and external reviewers, enroll teachers in courses and assign in groups, distribute enrollment keys to teachers, encourages and supports teachers to use the service, organize competitions, and provide support for learners in collaboration with schools and education institutions.

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On November 19th, 2012 the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH), hosted an Equatorial Guinea delegation that came in the country to learn about the Commission. Equatorial Guinea is located in west central Africa. The country consists of a mainland territory, R'o Muni, which is bordered by Cameroon to the north and Gabon to the east and south, and five small islands, Bioko, Corisco, Annobón, Small Elobey, and Great Elobey. The petrol-rich country is one of the smallest countries in continental Africa but has one of the highest per capita incomes. The delegation came to Tanzania with the aim of exploring and promoting scientific collaborations in areas of research, technology transfer, investment in areas of biotechnology, solar energy and other areas of life sciences. Led by by the country's Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Mr Tomas Mecheba Galilea, the delegation comprised of other eleven members some of them being, Secretary General of Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Victor Sima; Director of the National Malaria Control Programme, Gloria Nseng; Director of Laboratory Services, Máximo Miko Ondo Obono; Director General of Public Health, Jose Raso Bijeri and Angela Katherine Seone, the WHO Representative in Equatorial Guinea.

Delivering a presentation on the Research Trends in Tanzania: status, challenges and prospects, the COSTECH Director General, Dr. Hassan Mshinda said that research collaboration among African countries is highly needed. Dr. Mshinda pointed out that research in Tanzania is used to improve human resource, finance, publications, patents, and products. He also pointed out that Tanzania has several research institutions that conduct research on agriculture, livestock, fisheries, energy and industry, natural resources, public health, higher education and others being private research organizations.

Fig. 4: A group picture featuring COSTECH staff, IHI staff, together with the Equatorial Guinea delegates.

He also pointed out that a survey conducted by COSTECH in 2009 revealed that most researchers hold a masters and a bachelor’s degree, while a few have PhD; half of them are aged above 40 years, majority of them being male researchers. He added, “Most research funds come from foreign countries, although the government through the National Fund for the Advancement of Science and Technology (NFAST) contributes some money that plays a big role

in complementing wherever the foreign fund is insufficient. Dr. Mshinda mentioned that currently, the COSTECH is working hard to make sure research funds benefit the Tanzanian community by putting much emphasis on human resource development, research infrastructure development, technology transfer, and investing in research of national importance. On human resource development Dr. Mshinda mentioned that more than 300 scientists are receiving training in more than five universities, most of them doing masters and PhD studies. On the important of using research to solving problems, Dr. Mshinda said, “The biggest challenge in Africa is that we tend to solve problems without using evidence. Most of decisions made are based on intuition or ear say. The culture of using evidence through research has not been cultivated, and that is where we need to focus our attention. We need not only to see the research being done but also understand its impact to economy, policy, and improvement of social services.” Mr. Galilea thanked the Director General for his presentation and promised to look into areas of future collaboration between Tanzania and the Equatorial Guinea. He added, “As a continent, we need to put more emphasis in developing knowledge and technology whereby we can make a better contribution to our continent’s economy.”

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On November 28th

, 2012 the Economic and Social Research Foundation (ESRF) presented its third draft of the manual that will be used as a guide for the implementation of Education and Management Information System (EMIS), and E-library systems for Higher Education and Research Institutions (HERIs), in Tanzania. The event that took place at the Kunduchi Beach Hotel in Dare es Salaam, was attended by more than 100 participants most of them being directors of library studies, librarians, ICT professionals, World Bank delegates, the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH) staff, Ministry of Education and Vocational Training (MoEVT) staff, together with the Ministry of Communication, Science and Technology (MCST) officers. After winning the contract that was advertized by the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania through the MCST, and COSTECH, in June this year, in August, the ESRF was commissioned to undertake a feasibility study for the EMIS and E-library systems in sampled 128 higher learning and research institutions in the country. The second report was presented during the Science and Technology Higher Education Project (STHEP), stakeholders’ meeting that took place on 21

st November, 2012.

Delivering the welcome remarks, Dr. Ken Hosea, from the MoEVT noted that a successful implementation of EMIS will lead the government to invest more money on education. He commended the COSTECH for working hard to make sure the project fruitful. He added, “This project was supposed to begin in early 2009 but for some reasons it didn’t. May I take this opportunity to congratulate the COSTECH team for

making sure this project works.” Dr. Hosea envisions that the project will support the initiatives to build capacity in higher learning and research institutions and thus enhance Tanzania’s capacity to apply knowledge to economic activity by building and strengthening its higher education system.

Fig. 5: A cross section of participants during the STHEP stakeholders’ meeting on November 28th, 2012.

Delivering the objectives, scope of the study and the study methodology, during the presentation of the first draft, Dr. Oswald Mashindano, who is an Associate Research Fellow with the ESRF noted that the study was meant to survey the existing infrastructure, related environment, user and system requirements; compile technical specifications for the EMIS and e-library system and identify optimal solutions to best meet the long-term requirements at an individual institutional level and at national level for EMIS and e-library systems for the HERIs in Tanzania in a cost-effective manner. A lot of ideas were discussed base on the nature of an individual university, including the information to be shared and the modality of sharing that information. The ESRF team was tasked with different responsibilities by stakeholders to make sure the project become sustainable.

The third deliverable was presented on November 28

th, 2012. Based on

the recommendations given by the EMIS and e-library system stakeholders, the ESRF reported that

120 HERIs were consulted, 8 could not be reached due to various reasons such as absence of respective personnel, some were closed, and some respective staffs were not in a position to respond to certain questions. Reviewing the status of existing EMIS Prof. Louis Fourie noted that the very few available in the country do not provide focal functions whci include, collection, storing, processing, analyzing, utilizing, and dissemination of data and information for educational planning and management to avail it to educational stakeholders on a timely, routine, reliable and predictable basis via uncomplicated and user friendly means. He recommended that Oracle is the state of the art, ITS can offer a comprehensive package while ARIS is a local contender. To establish a strong e-library system, Prof. Fourie noted that two components need to be taken into consideration: the Integrated Library System (ILS) and the Digital Library System (DLS). On ILS, he recommended Koha, although both Evergreen and NewGenLib products could also be taken into account and very seriously considered.

On DLS, Prof. Fourie thinks that a strong digital library need to have a web-based retrieval, diversity of document formats, diversity of metadata formats, full-text search, Unicode, technical compatibility with OAI-PMH, interactivity, collections and relations support, object management, multiple languages support, and a level of customization.

Prof. Fourie ended his presentation by saying, “The aim of ICT in education is to harness the potential of ICT towards achieving quality education for all.”

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A pool of Tanzania researchers and academicians interested in Nanotechnology discipline came together at the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH), on November 22

nd, 2012 to brainstorm on

the possible areas of collaboration. Some Tanzanians have already started to participate in different training on Nanotechnology, including the recent training on nanomedicine which was done by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), in South Africa. According to the Institute of Nanotechnology, in the United Kingdom, Nanotechnology is a science and technology where dimensions and tolerances in the range of 0.1 to 100 nm play a critical role. Nanotechnology (molecular manufacturing) is a branch of engineering that deals with the design and manufacture of functional materials, devices, or systems built at the nanometer level through control of matter. It is a new interdisciplinary field that converge various science disciplines. Nanotechnology can be applied in aerospace, shipbuilding, and defense; it can also be applied in electronics or ICT, energy, life sciences or healthcare, construction, textiles, environment, water, food, drinks, consumer goods, and on automotive. Recapitulating the COSTECH’s mandate, Mr. Omar Bakary, the Coordinator of the Nanotechnology platform at COSTECH, said that the COSTECH’s mandate is to facilitate issues of technology development and promotion. Due to this, the Centre for Develeopment and Transfer of Technology organized a meeting to establish Nanotechnology platform. Interested experts came from various research and higher leaning institutions including the COSTECH, UDSM, NIMR, MUHAS, and WHO-Dar es Salaam Office. The meeting was also attended by Dr. Hulda Swai, the Senior Principal Researcher at the (CSIR). Dr. Swai is very accomplished in the Tuberculosis (TB) Nanodrug delivery project, as a concept idea, of which, she is the Principal

Investigator. Through Nanomedicine, she aims to develop a nanodrug delivery system that will improve the current inadequate therapeutic management of TB.

Fig. 6: A group picture featuring the Tanzania’s Nanotechnology experts from various research and academic institutions who attended the Nanotechnology meeting on November 22nd, 2012.

During the meeting, among other things, it was reported that there is an opportunity to get funds for Nanoresearch through the bilateral agreement between Tanzania and South Africa. The Tanzanian researchers and academicians decided to establish a platform that will feature the names of Tanzania Nanotechnology champions and other stakeholders interested in the subject. The team decided to come up with two proposals based on nanomedicine and the other on nanowater. The group will later on expand to include simple molecules such as lumefantrine or natural products, and other areas. The interest was much defined to put emphasis on building capacity for technical persons in science laboratories in order to qualify for future big grants, and if things go as planned, the platform envisions of establishing a Nanotechnology Center for Excellence in the later stage. Just recently, the National Research Foundation (NRF), in South Africa together with the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology advertised a Call for Joint Science & Technology Research Project Proposals – 2012. The proposals shall be submitted to the relevant authorities in both countries for evaluation, and the evaluation will be done according to the following criteria:

Scientific and technical merit; Impact on bilateral science and technology relations; Significance for both countries; Potential for creating research and development capacity; Quality and clarity of project presentation; Methodology; and Suitability and feasibility He also added that for the purposes of this call, research projects falling within the following areas will be considered: Health, ICT, Palaeontology, Nanomaterial such as manufacturing, Agricultural value addition which includes processing and packaging, as well as animal embryo transplant. The successful projects will be funded by both South Africa and Tanzania up to a maximum total amount of R 400,000 (Tshs. 74,000,000), where each country will provide half of the maximum amount per project. Funding may only be utilized for the following items: flight tickets, accommodation, subsistence, consumables, and publication costs.

The joint application for funding must include two Principal Investigators, a Tanzanian and South African and researchers must be employed at a recognized higher education or research institution such as a university, or science council in Tanzania or South Africa. Principal Researchers from both countries must be in possession of a PhD. The Principal Investigators will be responsible for the scientific and financial reporting, as well as other technical and administrative co-ordination of the project. They will also be required to submit an annual and final report to their respective funding agencies upon completion of the project. Researchers employed at private companies will not be allowed to apply under this programme. According to the call, submissions should include Curriculum Vitae of the Principal Investigators and must be received by 15 January, 2013 via e-mail. COSTECH has already established Biotechnology platform, Renewable energy platform, an e-publishing platform, and now looking forwad to establishing a Nanotechnology platform.

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On 29th

November, 2012 some of the Swedish International Cooperation Agency (SIDA), delegates visited the COSTECH with the aim of getting acquainted with the role played by Commission in supporting Cluster initiatives and ICT in Tanzania. The delegation, which included Anne-Charlotte Malm, the Director for Business for Development (B4D), and other two staff, aimed at exploring the areas of Business as well as ICT for Development (ICT4D), and how the funding provided by the SIDA is used to transform peoples’ lives.

Delivering the opening remarks, Dr. Nicolas Nyange, the Acting Director of Research Coordination and Promotion at COSTECH welcomed the delegates and briefed them about the COTSECH mandates. Dr. Nyange pointed out that apart from coordinating and promoting research done in the country, COSTECH also advises the government on all matters pertaining to science, technology and innovation. Dr. Nyange told the delegates that to fulfill all its responsibilities, COSTECH gets financial support from the government as well as from donors such as SIDA, World Bank, InfoDev, and other programs such as TASENE. Introducing the cluster initiatives, Mr. Omar Bakary, a Research Officer at COSTECH mentioned that a cluster is a group of people with common goal of establishing a business. A group can comprise five to ten or more people who have a business idea but might lack skills, financial support or markets to sell their products. He also mentioned that in a situation like that, COSTECH intervene by playing a role as a mentor and as an intermediary between the academia, public and the private sectors. He added, “The academia provides training through seminars and workshops, the public sector provides financial support while the private sector provides markets and employment.”

According to Mr. Bakary, the main objective of establishing cluster initiatives is to develop innovation and increase competitiveness for social and economic development of the firms. In so doing, the cluster initiatives create employment and thus increase individual income and thus provide human capacity development. He also added that since their establishment in 2003, the number of clusters has been increasing. Most of them vary from agriculture, handcrafts, fruits, fisheries, food processing, sea weed, spices, to mechanical engineering and currently, COSTECH is registering more than 26 clusters.

Fig. 7: A meeting in progress between SIDA delegates, COSTECH and DTBi staff.

Mr. Bakary also revealed that apart from funding coming from SIDA, the Tanzania government, through the Seed fund also provides some financial support to the initiative. He also revealed that most of the clusters have started to exhibit some improvement. Citing the examples from mechanical engineering cluster in Morogoro, Mr. Bakary mentioned that the cluster has managed to manufactures _____ machines and sell them to Malawi.

Another cluster that is doing very well is the sea weed cluster in Zanzibar which through creativity and competitiveness, the cluster has managed to manufacture soap, soup, biscuits, flavor, etc. The soap made through sea weed is believed to cure lashes, and other skin-related diseases. Mr. Bakary mentioned that as of now, more than fifteen clusters are operating countrywide which include: Seeds (Arusha), Tourism (Bagamoyo), Tourism (Tanga), Mushroom (Kibaha), Rice (Morogoro), Fruits and vegetables

(Morogoro), Engineering (Morogoro), Sea weed (Zanzibar), Grassroots miners (Tanga), Onion (Iringa), Fruits production (Iringa), Mushroom (Ruvuma), Mushroom (Pemba), Fisheries (Same), Fish keeping (Mwanga), Spice (Zanzibar, Poultry production (Dsm), Gardening (Dsm) Blacksmith (Dsm), Tourism (Zanzibar), Handcrafts (Zanzibar), Renewable energy (Dsm), Cooking oil (Singida), and efforts are being done to conduct study to find out how many clusters are available in the country and find out what kind of support that they need. Some of the challenges facing cluster initiatives include the absence of a common-shared facility for cluster members. There is also a problem of the mass not knowing what the cluster initiatives is all about. Mr. Bakary called for the District and Regional Commissioners to provide support in spreading the importance of this initiative to the public. Introducing the DTBi to the delegates, Mr. Mkange Mramba, the Financial Manager, said that in terms of ICT, the COSTECH established the Dar Teknohama business Incubator (DTBI), with the aim of promoting ICT innovation for wealth creation. Mr. Mramba also mentioned that some social problems that have been solved using ICT incubation include establishing a program for enrolling university students, creating a voting system suitable even to the disabled, payment of utility bills and other transactions through mobile phones, a device for tracking speed limit, and so on. Mr. Mramba also mentioned that the biggest challenge that the incubatees are facing is the on how to go about the procurement procedures. He added, “Some of the ICT startup companies cannot sell their products because they do not have patent. In that case, some of the software that could be bought in the country are bought somewhere in America, Europe or Asia.” The SIDA delegation, thanked the COSTECH and the DTBi staff for their presentations and promised to continue providing support as the needs be.

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Did you ever know that most people speak at a rate of 120 words per minute, or two words a second? Did you know that the excitables among us, however, manage to spurt out between 160 and 195 words per minute? Didi you ever know that fast talkers can go up to 650 words per minutes? If you never knew, please read on. Those fast talking guys rushing off the terms and conditions at the end of some American radio ads talk at about 300 words per minute. But that is only half the speed that the real fast talkers achieve. The world record for fastest talking is more than 600 words per minute, thus slightly more than 10 words per second. Guys like René Tramoni of France, Steve Woodmore of England and Sean Shannon of Canada articulate in excess of 600 words per minute. Woodmore held the Guinness World Record for Fastest Talker at 637 words per minute until Shannon talked his ears off too at 655 words per minute. Fran Capo of New York holds the record for the fastest female talker, at 603 words per minute. There also are Guinness World Records for fastest backward talking. David Fuhrer holds the American record while Steve Briers, a British DJ, holds the world record for fastest backwards talker. Steve has the unique talent of being a fluent backwards talker, with his unique ability to reverse words instantly, like a new language. For example, ‘Have A Nice Day’ becomes ‘Evah A Ecin Yad.’ As you noticed, these fast talkers mostly are English speakers. English – the second most spoken language in the world – has more words in it than any other language but English speakers generally use only about 1% of the available one million-plus English words – and use them mostly in self-talk. The vocabulary of an English-speaking adult is estimated at 25,000 words and that of teenagers is about 10,000 words. The total number of English words on the official list of the Scrabble game is 143,000. And if you’re at a loss for words, consider that the English Oxford Dictionary contains more than 200,000 words. Source: http://didyouknow.org/fast-talkers/

Biotechnology in one form or another has flourished since prehistorically times. When the first human beings realized that they could plant their own crops and breed their own animals, they learned to use biotechnology. The discover that fruit juices fermented into wine, or that milk could be converted into cheese or yogurt, or could be made by fermenting solutions of malt and hops began the study of biotechnology. When the first bakers found that they could make soft, spongy bread rather than a firm, thin cracker, they were acting as fledgling biotechnologists. The first animal breeders, realizing that different physical traits could be either magnified or lost by mating appropriate pairs of animals, engaged in the manipulations of biotechnology. What then is biotechnology? The term brings to mind many different things. Some think of developing new types of animals. Others dream of almost unlimited sources of human therapeutic drugs. Still others envision the possibility of growing crops that are more nutritious and naturally pest-resistant to feed a rapidly growing world population. This question elicits almost as many first-thought responses as there are people to whom the question can be posed. In its purest form, the term "biotechnology" refers to the use of living organisms or their products to modify human health and the human environment. Prehistoric biotechnologists did this as they used yeast cells to raise bread dough and to ferment alcoholic beverages, and bacterial cells to make cheeses and yogurts and as they bred their strong, productive animals to make even stronger and more productive offspring. Throughout human history, we have learned a great deal about the different organisms that our ancestors used so effectively. The marked increase in our understanding of these organisms and their cell products gains us the ability to control the many functions of various cells and organisms. Using the techniques of gene splicing and recombinant DNA technology, we can now actually combine the genetic elements of two or more living cells. Functioning lengths of DNA can be taken from one organism and placed into the cells of another organism. As a result, for example, we can cause bacterial cells to produce human molecules. Cows can produce more milk for the same amount of feed. And we can synthesize therapeutic molecules that have never before existed. To be continues on the next issue. Source: http://www.accessexcellence.org/RC/AB/BC/what_is_biotechnology.php

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After being granted the permit by the COSTECH, to conduct his or her research, a researcher is supposed to provide reports on progress made after three months, submit three copies of the final report dissertation/theses derived from the research undertaken in Tanzania, and any other papers or publications based on the research done in the country. The researcher is also supposed to send a copy of publication to the local advisors appointed to assist him or her. Below is a summary of progress or annual report received from one of the researchers who have conducted research in Tanzania. Research Title: (Re) Negotiating Maji Maji: Marginality: The Maji Maji War and Its Aftermath in Southwestern Tanzania, ca. 1905 – 1916 Research abstract: This is an article that was published in an International Journal of African Historical Studies Vol. 43. No. 1 (2010) 27 authored by Heike Schmidt – Florida State University. One hundred years ago, various societies in German East Africa fought the Maji Maji war, mostly in the south-western regions of the colony. The war, which commenced in July 1905 and in most areas ended as a military conflict in the following year, was chiefly directed against the German colonial presence, collaborators with the colonial state, and individuals perceived to be foreigners, such as coastal traders in the interior.

The article presents a three-fold argument. First, despite the severe hardships experienced by the majority of the population, the Maji Maji war and its aftermath also provided opportunities for some to renegotiate their position of marginality as power relations

became more fluid. Second, the key to understanding the Maji Maji war and its aftermath in Ungoni lies in the Wangoni’s imagined ethnicity, to paraphrase Benedict Anderson. Third, the author provides a historiography of Ungoni assumes a dichotomy between Ngoni as a slave raiding, slave trading, and slave owning society visa-a-vi sutu, denoting the Ngoni’s ‘other.’

Research objectives/goals: The article is concerned with the relationships linking violence, power and social status. The central concept that runs through this discussion of the Maji Maji war is Norma Kriger’s notion of struggles within the struggle. The article also shows that military attacks, even when directed against the colonial state, might not have been primarily anticolonial in nature. In fact, attacks against Germans appear to have been chiefly motivated by the goal of removing the frail colonial monopoly of violence and thus re-opening the territory to slave aiding, and also by personal revenge.

Research results/findings: The author maintains that despite the Maji Maji war leading to intensified suffering of the majority of African men, women and children, colonial troops continued to systematically enslave women and children as war captives; humiliation at the hands of soldiers, auxiliaries and their allies persisted, and now starvation, the pawning of children into areas where food was available, and displacement began to disrupt society more profoundly – the disruption that still hold in their memories by referring to the war as vita ya Mjerumani, the German war or as the time of njaa, the great hunger.

The war also set the Ngoni apart; especially those who had already converted to Christianity and those who had not, as a result, family

members were no longer sailing in the same boat. Research recommendation/output: Ngoni political identity was defined by a certain understanding of masculinity. Ngoni masculinity found two manifestations: (1) the authority of male elders as descendants of the great migrant kings, military and civil leaders, warlords, traffickers in and providers for women and children; and (2) the awe of young warriors and their raw power that could become Ngoni and acquire elder status.

The article shows that an

understanding of the experience of

the Maji maji war in Ungoni requires

as approach that differentiates by

gender, age, ethnicity and social

status. Young women and children,

both Ngoni and sutu, were almost

indiscriminately victimized as war

booty, though Ngoni females were

specifically targeted.

According to author, in Ungoni, the

Maji maji war and its aftermath

were times of universal destruction

and suffering, and of changing

power relations. This profoundly, if

temporarily, challenged the

authority of the male gerontocracy

when political authority was

renegotiated and the meaning of

age and gender identities was

transformed. In Ngoni itself, there is

still a notable sense of shame among

the descendants of those who were

pawned during the time of famine.

What clearly persist in social

memory are accounts of the Maji

Maji war as a time when those

proud Ngoni warriors were defeated

and shamed, when slaves forced to

drink beer from the skulls of their

fallen comrades.

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Fig. 8: Dr. Dugushilu Mafunda (left) speaks to the media personnel (not pictured) during the Press Conference held at COSTECH to honor Ms. Flotea Massawe’s outstanding achievements. The Press Conference was held on November 8th, 2012.

Fig. 9: Eng. Andrew Mnzava (middle), the Physical Scientist at COSTECH stresses a point during the Workshop organized by Tanzania Renewable Energy Association on the Tanzania energy policy challenges and the need for renewable energy policy at the University of Dar es salaam on November 12th, 2012.

Fig. 10: Mr. Omary Bakary (first right), the Coordinator of the Nanotechnology platform at COSTECH, airs his views during the Nanotechnology stakeholders’ meeting held at COSTECH on November 22nd, 2012.

Fig. 11: Dr. Fidelis Myaka, the Director of Research and Development at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Coperative speaks on the role of the ministry towards recognizing the contributions made by agricultural researchers when our journalist held an interview with him on November 16th, 2012

Fig. 12: Mr. Nyandalo Mboyi expresses his good wishes to the members of the National Research Registration Committee (not pictured), during the 134th NRRC meeting held at COSTECH on November 30th, 2012. Mr. Mboyi is retiring from his duties as Executive Director of Policy and Planning at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

Fig. 13: From left-to-right: Conrad Katakweba, Rahma Bashary, Ramadhani Athuman, Victoria Rutakara, Sarah Makoi together with Damas Makweba, all from COSTECH, introduce themselves as EMIs and HERIs exeperts to the rest of the stakeholders during the EMIs and HERIs stakeholders’ meeting held at the Kunduchi Beach Hotel, Dar es Salaam, on November 28th, 2012.

Fig. 14: A crosssection of the National Research Registration Committee (NRRC) members during the 134th NRRC meeting held at COSTECH on November 30th, 2012.

Fig. 15: A group picture featuring the Tanzania delegation together with their host during the visit paid by Tanzanians to Burkina Fasso to learn on how Biotechnology is being utlized in growing cotton (BT Cotton). Photo courtesy of Michuzi blog.

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Upcoming Event TTA Workshop in Dar es Salaam

Technology Transfer Alliance (TTA) is happy to announce that it will have its very first Kick-Off Workshop in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, February 2013. The workshop is being hosted by KTH, Royal Institute of Technology, and sponsored by Spider, the Swedish

Program for ICT in Developing Regions. The aim of the workshop is to gather key stakeholders from different European and

African universities to: Present project examples of society driven innovation projects based on societal

needs. Raise awareness about the reward systems and examination methods for the TTA

course. Match universities with external stakeholders from the public and private sectors to

generate socioeconomic development projects driven by demand in real-life. The projects are meant to be the foundation of a future project bank that enables match-

making between universities and industry. The workshop will be hosted at Kunduchi Beach Hotel & Resort, at February 26th-28th.

There will be approximately 20-30 different universities and organizations from the

private and public sectors attending the workshop. If you are interested in discussing new projects for TTA and attend the workshop, please contact us attta-ws@kth.se.

Regards, Ramon Wyss, Vice President of KTH, in cooperation with the KTH-TTA team.

For more information, please visit:

http://ttaportal.org

So, what do you think of this e-Newsletter?

If you have any comments or suggestions on how we can improve this newsletter, or have any feature story to share, please email

the editor at mrutechura@costech.or.tz