WORLD ASSOCIATION OF INDUSTRIAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL RESEARCH ORGANIZATIONS

THE GLOBAL INNOVATION FAMILY OCTOBER 2017

WAITRO-ISESCO-SIRIM Research FellowshipProgramme (WRFP) in the Area of

Intelligent SystemOCTOBER 23-November 3, 2017

malaysia

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CONTRIBUTORS• Caribbean Industrial Research Institute

(CARIRI), Trinidad and Tobago• China Institute for Small and Medium

Enterprises (CISME), China• Innovation prize for Africa/Uganda

Industrial Research Institute (UIRI), Uganda

• Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology (IROST), Iran

• Thailand Institute for Scientific and Technological Research (TISTR), Thailand

• WAITRO Secretariat

Articles and feedback from all WAITRO Members

are welcome.Please forward

them to info@waitro.sirim.my

WAITRO News Team

Ruzana IsmailDocumentation Officer

ruza

na@

sirim

.my

Khairun Niza Mohd Siraj Communications & Information Officer

kniz

a@si

rim.m

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Dr. Rohani HashimSecretary-General

roha

ni_h

ashi

m@

sirim

.my

Mair Nesrul Zainal Abidin Finance Officer

nesr

ul@

sirim

.m

y

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CONTENTS

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WAITRO Secretariatc/o SIRIM BerhadNo. 1, Persiaran Dato’ Menteri,Section 2, P.O. Box 7035,40700 Shah Alam Selangor, Malaysia. +603 5544 6635 +603 5544 6735 info@waitro.sirim.my www.waitro.org www.facebook.com/waitro/ twitter.com/waitro

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79th WAITRO Board and 20th Board-Regional Focal Point Meetings in Dresden,Germany

WAITRO Workshop: Introduction to the Innovation Agent Programme

WAITRO-ISESCO-SIRIM Research Fellowship Programmein the Area of Intelligent System

30th Khwarizmi International Award 2017

Moving towards Sustainable Development Goals

APEC Symposium on Policy and System for Promoting Micro,Small and Medium Enterprises Modernisation towards Industry 4.0

My Experience, My Words, My Thoughts

Three Outstanding African Innovations Walk Away with Innovation Prizefor Africa 2017 Total Cash Prize of US$150,000

Adopt Guidelines for Earthquake-Resistant Buildings

The Fraunhofer-Gessellschaft has graciously hosted the 79th WAITRO Board and 20th Board-Regional Focal Point Meetings from October 10-13, 2017. The meetings were held at the Fraunhofer IZD Winterbergstraße in Dresden, Germany.

The focus of the meetings was on the ways to intensify WAITRO’s activities towards self-sustainability by project development and other initiatives. Both meetings were chaired by Mr. Yongvut Saovapruk, President of WAITRO.

Besides the President, Members of the Executive Board who attended the Board Meeting were Dr. Eckart Bierdümpel, First Vice-President, Dr. Luxsamee Plangsangmas, Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific, Mr. David Tveit, Regional Representative for Europe, Dr. Rubén Cruz, Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean, Assoc. Prof. Bahadír Tunaboylu, Regional Representative for the Middle East and North Africa as well as Prof. Dr. Charles Kwesiga as the Ex-Officio. Also present at the Board-Regional Focal

Point Meeting were Associate Prof. Cheng Cong, representative of Prof. Chi Renyong as the Regional Focal Point for Asia and the Pacific Representative, Dr. Kirstie Yvette Wild, Regional Focal Point for Europe Representative and Eng. Abeer Arafat, who represented HRH Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan, the Regional Focal Point for the Middle East and North Africa Representative.

In conjunction with the two meetings, a WAITRO mini workshop was also organised to finalise the WAITRO Work Programme for 2018-2019. Each WAITRO Board member and Regional Focal Point presented proposals for a WAITRO Consortium initiative and programme activities to be considered to be included in the WAITRO Work Programme for 2018-2019.

These meetings were organised with the aim of working together on international programmes and projects. The Secretariat is appreciative of Dr. Eckart Bierdümpel and his team’s excellent hosting and organisation of the meetings and mini workshop.

79th WAITRO Board and 20th Board-RegionalFocal Point Meetings in Dresden, Germany79th WAITRO Board and 20th Board-RegionalFocal Point Meetings in Dresden, Germany

OCT ISSUE 2/201703

The Global Innovation Family

The WAITRO Workshop: Introduction to the Innovation Agent Programme was co-organised by WAITRO and the Danish Technological Institute (DTI). A total of 18 participants from 11 WAITRO member organisations were selected to attend the programme from September 11-14, 2017 in Putrajaya, Malaysia. The participants are from Jiangsu Industrial Technology Research Institute, China; Indonesian Institute of Sciences, Indonesia; Scientific Research Council, Jamaica; Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute, Kenya; Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology, Iran; Institute Agronomique at Veterinaire Hassan II, Morocco; National Food Institute, Thailand; Caribbean Industrial Research Institute, Trinidad and Tobago as well as SIRIM Berhad, Malaysia.

The WAITRO President, Mr. Yongvut Saovapruk, was present at the workshop on the first day to deliver an opening speech.

Directors from DTI, Denmark, Dr. Knud Erik Hilding-Hamann of the Centre for Ideas and Innovation and Dr. Kirstie Yvette Wild of the International Centre were the facilitators of the workshop. Dr. Hilding-Hamann is the project leader of the Innovation Agent Programme in Denmark, which is involved with 35 innovation agents across seven advanced technology institutes with the task of conducting 475 innovation audits and 290 project initiations in small and medium-sized enterprises per annum. Since 2007,

this programme has led to more than 3300 innovation audits and 1800 project initiations. Part of the task is to advise SMEs on where and how they can obtain export support.

The objectives of the three-day workshop were to:1. familiarise the participants with the key elements of

the innovation agent programme, the support process and the networking, promotional and training requirements;

2. help participants design a pilot program for their particular market and country, examine the market, set objectives, budgets and justify the investment as well as validating the political attractiveness of the programme; and

3. exemplify how the programme activities will work by allowing participants to work with SME cases from their markets prepared by the participants prior to the workshop.

The innovation agent programme is particularly useful for introducing RTO services and partnership models to SMEs that have not previously used such services.

Since the start, the innovation agent programme has been introduced in countries like New Zealand (2012), Trinidad Tobago (2016), and Austria (2016). It can be introduced with the same positive results in other WAITRO member countries with the creation of new SME customer relations for the participating RTOs.

WAITRO Workshop: Introduction tothe Innovation Agent Programme

WAITRO Workshop: Introduction tothe Innovation Agent Programme

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OCT ISSUE 2/201705

The Global Innovation Family

The WAITRO-ISESCO-SIRIM Research Fellowship Programme (WRFP) in the Area of Intelligent System, organized by SIRIM Berhad was held from 23 October to 3 November 2017 at Putrajaya and Sarawak, Malaysia. This Research Fellowship Programme was participated by seven participants from WAITRO member organisations and ISESCO country members in relevant, science and technology research institutions namely Botswana Institute for Technology Research and Innovation (BITRI), Botswana, Iranian Research Organization of Science and Technology (IROST), Iran, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), South Africa, National Engineering Research and Development Centre of Sri Lanka (NERDC), Sri Lanka, Tanzania Industrial Research and Development Organization (TIRDO), Tanzania, Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (CARIRI), Trinidad and Tobago, and Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (TISTR), Thailand.

The objectives of this programme are to equip the participants with knowledge on research elements; enhance the knowledge of participants in understanding the Intelligent System applications and enable them to apply the knowledge and skills learned into real applications; as well as expose them to the

‘Train the Trainers’ elements that will allow them to share their knowledge and experience as a trainer to other people.

The first week of the programme was held at The Pullman Putrajaya Lakeside Hotel, which is located at the central hub of government offices, Putrajaya. The Secretary-General WAITRO, Dr. Rohani Hashim delivered the welcoming address at the opening ceremony of the programme. The programme was declared opened by Ms. Nik Juliah Nik Jaafar, Vice President Group Human Resource, SIRIM Berhad after delivering the opening remarks. A brief presentation on SIRIM Berhad was delivered by YM Raja Yahya Raja Ariffin, the General Manager of the Office of the President and Group Chief Executive of SIRIM Berhad followed by a presentation on ‘To Know Malaysia is to Love Malaysia’ by Ms. Jamilah Abd. Halim, Deputy Director of Corporate Communication Division.

This fellowship programme in Putrajaya was conducted by engineers from the Intelligence System and RFID Section, System Design Centre, SIRIM Berhad. Participants were introduced to the Intelligent System technology applications such as robotics and embedded system. They experienced hands-on modules controlling and sensing physical input and output devices using a microcontroller. Remote Control (RC) Airplane was also introduced in this programme. The theory on the principles of flight that involves aerodynamic forces and major controls in an RC airplane were taught in the modules. Participants were able to design a prototype of the RC airplane and get a glimpse on how to control and fly an airplane using the RC flight simulator. The theories and practical experience learnt in the modules was using SIRIM’s indigenous products known as SIRIM RoboKit® and SIRIM AeroKit.

WAITRO-ISESCO-SIRIM Research FellowshipProgramme in the Area of

Intelligent System

WAITRO-ISESCO-SIRIM Research FellowshipProgramme in the Area of

Intelligent System

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On October 27, 2017 the team had their industrial and cultural visit in Malacca, one of the historical cities in Malaysia. Composites Technology Research Malaysia (CTRM) Aero Composites Sdn. Bhd. and Omega Fabrication Sdn. Bhd. were the two companies that the team visited. CTRM Aero Composites manufactures and markets composites components for both aerospace and non-aerospace segments. The team was brought to the lay-up rooms and experienced the manufacturing processes that involve curing, demoulding, non-destructive testing, painting and mechanical assembly. Meanwhile, Omega Fabrication introduced the team to their fabrication capabilities in fabricating structural steel, piping, module assembly and prefabrication. The team was able to observe the services offered using CNC machines. After some high-end industrial visits, the team explored the city of Malacca, mainly the Dutch Square. It is one of the main landmarks of Malacca that houses the Stadhuys, originally served as the official residence of the Dutch governors, the Central fountain, an ornate Victorian marble edition erected in 1904 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee, and the main clock tower. Here, the participants were also indulged with colourful and attractive trishaws. The team had a lot of fun taking pictures of the beautiful state scenery. Getting on the Taming Sari Tower was the highlight of the day where its revolving structure at 110 meters in height, offers a 360-degree panoramic view of Malacca Town. The tower is said to be named after the Taming Sari keris, a mythical dagger-like weapon that possesses mystical powers belonging to a legendary Malay warrior.

On October 28, 2017, the team was taken to explore the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. A Malaysian cultural landmark, Central Market was one of the destinations chosen. The Central Market is a popular tourist attraction having a warren of boutiques, handicraft and souvenir stalls with traders selling local merchandise such as authentic Malaysian batik prints and more.

The second week of the programme was conducted in Sarawak, a state that lies to the east of Peninsular Malaysia. The ‘Train the Trainers’ elements were practiced and executed in the “Bengkel Asas Kejuruteraan Robotik dan Aeroangkasa Sarawak 2017” (Basic Robotics and Aerospace Engineering Workshop) held at Sekolah Kebangsaan Santubong in conjunction with the “Karnival Mini CATS Sukan Dan Kokurikulum 2017” (CATS Sports and Co-curriculum Mini Carnival) which involved seven different secondary schools in the Kuching district including as Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Santubong, SMK Bandar Samariang, SMK Agama Tun Ahmad Zaidi, SMK Demak Baru, SK Semerah Padi, SMK Tun Abg Haji Openg and SMK Bako. The involvement of the school students in this programme promotes the understanding in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Learning and Dual Language Programme. The seven WAITRO participants were each given a group consisting three secondary school students to facilitate.

OCT ISSUE 2/201707

The Global Innovation Family

The ‘Train the Trainer’ objectives were fulfilled as the WAITRO participants were able to assist the SIRIM Berhad engineers in facilitating the school students in controlling the hands-on intelligent system and RC airplane modules. This knowledge transfer engagement between the WAITRO participants and students in this programme was extraordinary. It resulted in a very harmonious relationship and they were comfortable with each other regardless of the difference in nationalities. The bond they had drove them harder to accomplish their goals until the end of the programme.

The highlight of this programme in Sarawak was the RC Flight testing competition that was held on November 2, 2017. The WAITRO participants, together with their respective school students, had to design and build a complete RC airplane prototype for the competition. Some criteria were taken into account to evaluate the best school such as the creativity and innovation in designing the airplane; the neatness in completing the airplane; presentation from the school students about their understanding on the theory of flight; and the stability of the airplane.

The winner of the competition was SMK Agama Tun Ahmad Zaidi facilitated by Sara Sehati from IROST, Iran. “This fellowship gave me opportunity to teach students and it was enjoyable for me that I can share my knowledge and ideas with others,” she said.

It was an overwhelming day for everyone to observe the functionality of their prototype as their airplane took off and stayed up in the air after such enthusiasm when designing and building the airplane.

The closing ceremony was held on November 3, 2017. Mr. Chen Fei Ming, Deputy Director of Kuching District Education Office gave a speech on behalf of the Ministry of Education, followed by Ms. Hasmafatiha Harun, Head of Intelligence System and RFID Section of SIRIM Berhad, who delivered a speech on the conclusion and outcome of the programme. Dr. Rohani Hashim delivered the closing remarks and the participants were each presented with a certificate of attendance. The WAITRO-ISESCO-SIRIM Research Fellowship programme was signed off as a success through the award-giving ceremony as everyone left with embracing knowledge in technology innovation that can further be incorporated in real applications in the future.Zamaswazi Dlamini from CSIR, South Africa said, “It was my first time to interact with local people the way we did. Seeing and contributing to the young peoples’ personal development skills especially in STEM did not only make me proud, but further taught me that there is a lot I can do in South Africa with the little we have.’’

Arti Ramdhanie, from CARIRI, Trinidad and Tobago said, “Through this programme, I have learned so much about intelligent system and its applications, especially the Train the Trainer session which I will use the knowledge I gained here and apply it in my country.”

Matthews Segaetsho, a participant from BITRI, Botswana said he enjoyed the knowledge-sharing session and cultural exchange between the participants especially the hands on experience. “The programme is well organised, and were all are given a chance to grasp (what is taught) before we continue (with lecture topics),” he said.

Saichon Satiendee, a participant from TISTR, Thailand said, “This programme enhances engineering and cultural knowledge in Malaysia. It also creates international co-operation. I am very happy and will not forget this wonderful experience.”

Representatives of international organisations congregated in Tehran, Iran in February 2017 to celebrate exceptional scientists, inventors and innovators from all over the world for their brilliant scientific and technological accomplishments and contributions that help advance the economy, society and environment at the 30th Khwarizmi International Award (KIA) 2017.

Going into a decade of WAITRO being one of the sponsors for KIA, WAITRO continues to sponsor a trophy, €300 and certificate as an award at the 30th KIA. WAITRO congratulates Ms. Leila Araghian for being awarded the Second Laureate for Invention and Innovation and the Best Woman Scientist, an award created by WAITRO in honour of women scientists at the KIA. The first time an award to honour specifically women scientists in the KIA history was created was in 2008, and it was proposed by WAITRO.

Besides WAITRO, other sponsors for the 30th KIA include Asia and the Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology; Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South; The World Academy of Sciences; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; Economic Cooperation Organization; Indian-Ocean Rim Association Regional Centre for Science and Technology Transfer; ECO Cultural Institute; International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas; United Nations Industrial Development Organization; Iranian National Commission for UNESCO and UNESCO Tehran Cluster Office; as well as World Intellectual Property Organization.

WAITRO also congratulates its member organisation, the Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology, for the 30th year of organising the KIA.

30th Khwarizmi International Award 201730th Khwarizmi International Award 2017

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The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which was adopted by the UN member states on September 2015, to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all, has set new goals and work policies for the UN member states. Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (TISTR), which is one of the WAITRO members pursuing the SDGs initiative, is attempting to engage itself in SDGs activities and projects. To mark TISTR’s effort, TISTR, in partnership with Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology (APCTT) of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) has organised a ‘Regional Consultation on Innovation Strategies for Sustainable Development through Water-Energy-Food

Nexus’ from June 28-29, 2017 at the United Nations Conference Centre (UNCC) in Bangkok, Thailand. The consultation, which was participated by the representatives from China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam, has addressed the important issues in policy construction for meeting challenges for sustainable management of water-energy-food resources.

The consultation collected strategic and operational recommendations for effective policy formulation and management and fostering regional cooperation among key stakeholders that leverage the resource interconnectedness and enhance water, energy and food security, moving one step closer towards SDGs 2, 6 and 7.

Moving towards Sustainable DevelopmentGoals

Moving towards Sustainable DevelopmentGoals

OCT ISSUE 2/201709

The Global Innovation Family

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The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Symposium on Policy and System for Promoting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Modernisation towards Industry 4.0, was sponsored by APEC Policy Partnership on Science, Technology and Innovation (PPSTI), and was jointly organised by Zhejiang University of Technology, Science Technology Department of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Province Economic and Information Commission, Zhejiang Federation of Industry and Commerce, Hangzhou Economic and Information Technology Commission, as well as WAITRO. This symposium is also co-sponsored by the Chinese Taipei and Vietnam, and received guidance and support from the APEC Secretariat, Peru and Hong

Kong, China. The symposium commenced from September 22-25 2017, in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.

The aim of this symposium was to provide an international forum for participants from academia, private sector and government to share their research, insight, experience and perspectives to promote MSMEs modernisation, boosting the competitiveness and productivity by science, technology and innovation. The symposium attracted over 100 participants from 19 economies of APEC and non-APEC organisations such as WAITRO and organisations for economic co-operation and development.

APEC Symposium on Policy and System forPromoting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises

Modernisation towards Industry 4.0

APEC Symposium on Policy and System forPromoting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises

Modernisation towards Industry 4.0

OCT ISSUE 2/201711

WAITRO Management Programme 2017 by Liloutie Chookolingo (Leela) of CARIRI, Trinidad and Tobago

During the period of 17–23 July, 2017 I was given the opportunity to participate in the WAITRO Management Programme 2017. Coming from a small Caribbean Island, Trinidad and Tobago, when the prospect to attend the programme was put forward, the elation of being across the globe into a different time zone and atmosphere was of utmost excitement. Words cannot describe the fireworks of emotions I felt.

Much to my surprise, the fireworks did not end there but continued to grow, thousands of miles away. The experience of this trip brought with it new found friends, friendship that felt as though you were meeting up with long lost family members for the first time, the WAITRO Secretariat left no stone unturned to ensure participants were met with affection and cared for like family.

I often wondered what was so wonderful about being members of WAITRO, why spend on membership fees, what was the benefit to our organisation, what could WAITRO do for us as a small institute? One could spend time researching what WAITRO is all about. However, being part of the programme brought to light the true essence of the organisation and what it hoped to achieve, the benefits of being a member, the importance of sharing information and knowledge across the globe with the goal of achieving sustainable

development and global innovation. The programme shed light to the meaning of the phrase “The Global Innovation Family”.

The main objective of the programme was to provide participants with a deeper understanding of WAITRO’s functions and activities to assist them in functioning as a contact person for the Board and Regional Focal Points. During the scheduled programme week, participants from CSIR, South Africa; RMRDC, Nigeria; NFI, Thailand; TISTR, Thailand; CISME, China; FhG, Germany; TUBITAK, Turkey; CIDET, Colombia and CARIRI, Trinidad and Tobago made presentations about their organisations, projects completed and those being worked on, what their organisations hoped to achieve under the WAITRO umbrella and the future WAITRO initiatives. Being privy to the information shared on varying projects and hopes for achievement made the realisation of what can be achieved when great minds come together such as those under WAITRO.

After attending this programme it is with great pride and conviction one takes up the role of being given the responsibility of performing WAITRO-related responsibilities undertaken by the organisation as well as to communicate and work closely with the WAITRO Secretariat.

In closing, I would like to take thank the WAITRO Secretariat for affording me the opportunity to gain experience, knowledge and friendship of a lifetime.

My Experience, My Words, My ThoughtsMy Experience, My Words, My Thoughts

The Global Innovation Family

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Winning innovations demonstrate high level of proficiency in energy efficient and healthcare-related solutions

ACCRA, Ghana, July 19, 2017 - The sixth edition of the coveted Innovation Prize for Africa (IPA) (http://InnovationPrizeForAfrica.org) culminated with a bang as the African Innovation Foundation (AIF) (www.AfricanInnovation.org) awarded three more African innovators for their incredible innovations. Out of the total of over 2,500 applications, 10 nominees were selected, and from these Aly El-Shafei of Egypt emerged as the Grand Prize winner, with Philippa Ngaju Makobore of Uganda landing the Second Prize, and Dougbeh-Chris Nyan of Liberia winning the Special Prize for Social Impact. Each one of the seven remaining nominees also went home with US$5,000 voucher to be used to further develop their innovations. Moreover, all nominees and winners will benefit from IPA post prize activities aiming at moving their innovations to the next level.

The main obstacle in increasing electricity generation capacity in Africa continues to be the high cost of producing electricity, which is forcing governments to subsidize consumption. Dr. El-Shafei’s innovation, Smart Electro-Mechanical Actuator Journal Integrated Bearing (SEMAJIB), is a world-class solution that supports energy generating turbines and can be used to improve efficiency and reduce costs of generating energy in Africa.

Meanwhile, inadequate medical solutions to efficiently administer drugs or to diagnose diseases continue to affect the quality of healthcare delivery in many parts of the continent. Makobore’s invention, known as Electronically Controlled Gravity Feed Infusion Set (ECGF) and Dr. Nyan’s multiple diseases rapid detection test, both offer ingenious solutions aimed at raising the quality of healthcare provision in Africa. AIF collaborated with the Government of Ghana, represented by the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI), Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) and Ghana@60 Planning Committee to host IPA 2017, which was themed ‘African Innovation: Investing in Prosperity’. H.E. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the President of Ghana, presided over the prestigious awards ceremony, held at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel, Accra in Ghana.

AIF Founder, Jean-Claude Bastos de Morais, Founder, African Innovation Foundation, commented, “This edition of IPA has been all about galvanizing support for African innovators in order to mobilise increased investments to help them commercialise and scale their innovations at a greater rate. AIF has rewarded IPA 2017 for developing solutions that can truly add value to the lives of Africans, and I believe that these innovations have incredible commercial potential and will succeed in attracting the right investments to go to the next stage.”

Three Outstanding African InnovationsWalk Away with Innovation Prize for

Africa 2017 Total Cash Prize of US$150,000

Three Outstanding African InnovationsWalk Away with Innovation Prize for

Africa 2017 Total Cash Prize of US$150,000

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The Global Innovation Family

IPA 2017 Chairman of the Jury, Prof Nyasse Barthelemy said that the deliberation was tough as the quality of innovations were high. “Each of the innovations, in their own respective ways, were winners as they represented local solutions to local challenges. It came down to the wire but we believe we have awarded the most compelling innovations this year. We look forward to seeing what comes next for the incredible innovations from IPA 2017 innovators and wish them the very best”.

The patented innovation, SEMAJIB, by Dr. El-Shafei who walked away with the Grand Prize of US$100,000, is a smart bearing that significantly improves turbine performance in single line combined cycle plants as well as conventional generator technology. Patented in the US since 2010 with another patent pending, the device is designed to be used to support energy generating turbines more efficiently and cost effectively in Africa. SEMAJIB is an innovation that does not currently exist in the West, and already Siemens' has indicated interest in the device. A world class innovation originating from Africa, SEMAJIB reverse Africa's image as a technology consumer to technology producer. Production of these bearings in Africa will also generate jobs and increased revenue for Africa.

The Electronically Controlled Gravity Feed Infusion Set (ECFG) by Philippa, who bagged the Second Prize of US$25,000, is designed to accurately administer intravenous (IV) fluids and drugs by controlling the rate of fluid flow based on feedback from a drop sensor. It is easy to operate and has key safety features, which include alarms for rate of infusion (rapid or slow), total volume (over or under) and faulty sensors. A battery utilising a hybrid (AC mains and solar) charging bed powers the device. IV infusions are critical for both adults and children in various situations. Over 10% of children admitted to East African hospitals need immediate infusion therapy. Findings from the FEAST trial indicates that over-infusion in children increased the absolute risk of death by 3.3% at 48 hours. Erroneous delivery rates can result into serious adverse effects. The ECGF has the potential to save lives by providing accuracy and safety at 8% the cost of a brand new infusion pump.

Dr. Dougbeh, who was awarded the Special Prize for Social Impact of US$25,000, developed a rapid test that can detect and simultaneously differentiate at least three to seven infections at the same time. His diagnostic test is fast and easy to use in any setting and is able to detect and distinguish multiple infections which bear the same symptoms for instance, when a patient has yellow fever, malaria, and Ebola. Whereas most testing methods take three to seven days, this device gives test results in ten to forty minutes. Dougbeh is currently working on the second prototype of his innovation after obtaining positive results from his first prototype. The results have been validated with

human clinical samples, peer-reviewed and published in several respected scientific journals such as ‘Nature-Scientific Reports’. His innovation has the potential of being a game changer in the continent in the detection and management of infectious diseases for quality patient-care.

Speaking at the Awards ceremony, H.E. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the President of Ghana, commented, “As Ghana marks 60 years of independence, there is no opportune time than now to reiterate our nation’s commitment towards investing in innovation-led growth and prosperity. Our decision to partner with the AIF to host the 2017 edition of the Innovation Prize for Africa is a result of our commitment to support African innovation not just at a national but at a Pan-African level. Platforms such as IPA are vital for building stronger synergies amongst key science technology and innovation influencers and stakeholders in Ghana whilst expanding linkages with international partners to promote STI development capacity building, knowledge transfer and forge new partnerships with regional innovation leaders and expand our nation’s innovation footprint.”

The 2017 awards welcomed hundreds of entries from outstanding innovators. For the first time, IPA nominees include innovators from Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia and Zimbabwe, and featured a stronger presence of women that in any of the years past. The exceptional quality of entrants, finalists and winners delighted this year’s judges and made for a thrilling awards celebration night.

IPA has seen tremendous growth in applications and increasing interest from both innovators and innovation enablers over the years. To date, IPA has attracted more than 7,500 innovators from 52 African countries, making it a truly Pan African initiative. IPA 2017 edition witnessed a record number of entries from over 2,500 innovators across 48 African countries. The Foundation has supported past winners and nominees with approximately US$ 1 million to move their innovations forward. Due to exposure generated by IPA, past winners have gone on to secure over US$30 million in investments to grow and scale their businesses.

Distributed by APO on behalf of the African Innovation Foundation (AIF).

Article and photo source: http://innovationprizeforafrica.org/#2017

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It was devastating yet not too surprising to learn of the two powerful earthquakes that struck Mexico in only two weeks last month. The first occurred on 8th September with a magnitude of 8.1 and the second on 19th of a 7.1 magnitude. After the first quake, the worst-hit states of Tabasco, Oaxaca and Chiapas were left in rubbles; more than a million faced power cuts and many families were displaced from their homes. But the death tolls from both quakes – at 65 and 370 respectively according to latest statistics – were much lower than the 1985 earthquake that was said to have claimed the lives of almost 10,000 people. Since the massively deadly earthquake that happened 32 years ago, the Mexican authorities have tightened building codes and intensify earthquake drills. Mexico may not be as distant as we perceive it to be. Both Malaysia and Mexico sit on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a horseshoe-shaped string of at least 450 active and dormant volcanoes dominating the Pacific Ocean and bounding a number of sea plates including the Philippine’s. As many as 90 per cent of earthquakes were reported to have struck within this Ring. Earthquake hazards are generally low in Malaysia, except for Sabah where the level is deemed to be moderate as it relatively prone to seismic (earthquake related) activities. Sabah is situated on the south-eastern Eurasian Plate, bordered by the Philippine Plate and the Pacific Plate.

The 2015 Ranau earthquake that registered 6.0 on the Richter scale and killed 18 was the highest ever recorded in the country and a strong warning bell for Sabah to implement seismic design for its structures as soon as possible. The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) through the Department of Standards Malaysia or Standards Malaysia, has been developing a Malaysian Standard (MS) on earthquake, migrating from British standards to Eurocode 8 that would take seismic factors into account. We published “MS EN 1998-1 Eurocode 8: Design of structures for earthquake resistance – Part 1: General Rules, Seismic Actions and Rules for Building” in 2015. Next was to develop the Malaysia National Annex to MS EN 1998-1 2015, which has just been finalised and ready for adoption. It specifies the values of Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA), a crucial guide in building earthquake-resistant structures. PGA is the maximum ground acceleration that occurs during an earthquake at a specific site. Several consultation forums were held with stakeholders and the public for feedbacks. In November 2016 MOSTI co-organised a roundtable meeting with the Sabah local government for comments on the MS.

The debate was whether the PGA values published in the MS should be region-specific in the Peninsular, Sabah and Sarawak as opposed to one PGA value for

Adopt Guidelines for Earthquake-ResistantBuildings

Adopt Guidelines for Earthquake-ResistantBuildings

all. Setting a minimum PGA value that applies to all regions might be able to provide a certain degree of safety to all but would incur unnecessary costs to structures that are built in non-seismically active areas. Since then, experts have reconvened and finally agreed that the PGA values should be site-specific. To come up with these PGA values a seismic hazard map for Malaysia was drawn up by local experts, headed by Prof. Dr. Azlan Adnan of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and Prof. Dr Felix Tongkul of Universiti Malaysia Sabah. These maps, endorsed by Department of Mineral and Geoscience Malaysia in September, indicate region-specific PGA values drawn as contours and thus serve as a safety guide for construction activities. Property developers, engineers and architects can now be better guided to construct safer and cost-effective buildings. There has been excellent progress in developing this MS. Last Monday the Sabah Ministry of Local Government and Housing signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Standards Malaysia for the preparation of guidelines and development of MS for earthquake-resistant building design code.

At the MoU signing by the Sabah Ministry of Local Government and Housing (KKTP) permanent secretary Datuk Ginun Yangus and director-general of Standards Malaysia Datuk Fadilah Baharin, witnessed by KKTP Minister Datuk Hajiji Noor and myself on 9 October 2017 A standard is only as good as being implemented. The development of this MS is only the beginning of our mitigation measures. I strongly urge relevant agencies and local governments to adopt and enforce this MS for the safety and well-being of the people. We will continue to promote and explain this MS to various stakeholders and review the seismic hazard map from time to time based on the most current seismic activities in the country. However experts have lamented that there is a lack of seismic, geological and geodetic data that have impeded efforts to gather comprehensive information on earthquakes. Since the 2015 Ranau tragedy, the Malaysian Meteorology Department, also under MOSTI’s purview, has added 15 seismological stations across Sabah in 2016 to more closely monitor earthquakes in the region. Earthquakes of magnitudes from as low as 1.0 on the Richter scale could now be detected. Geology experts recommended that the next steps would be to upgrade and increase earthquake engineering laboratories, seismic data centres and to invest in advanced remote-sensing technologies that could monitor minute ground movements.

Apart from equipment we also lack expertise in the earthquake-related fields. In the development of this MS for example, is a collective effort of multidisciplinary scientists such as geologists, engineering geologists, seismologists, earthquake engineers and structural engineers. There is an urgent need for data analysts for advanced research and even data scientists, who are able to interpret the data and turn them into something useful. Closer to home, we have much to learn in dealing with disaster risk reduction and management cost-effectively from our neighbour the Philippines, which is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire and has been experiencing earthquakes far more often. Besides the enforcement of building and construction regulations, we are not quite ready for an earthquake, psychologically and mentally. It is already possible to digitally prepare ourselves for earthquakes. Smartphones have built-in sensors that could detect a shaking nearby and alert users of a specialised app. Imagine having a personal mini siren in our very own palms! If there are enough users, we can even mine useful data such as the trend of ground movement intensity, a similar concept to Waze and Google Maps where traffic information is obtained from the app users. The possibilities are endless!

Finally, the success of the development of this MS is attributed to concerned Sabahans who pushed for seismic designs to be implemented with great urgency. It is important to note that building codes such as this MS can only help increase a structure’s resistance to earthquake and does not completely guarantee our safety. Thus we need to educate ourselves about earthquake mitigation measures and attend earthquake drills if they take place near you. It is rather interesting to know that despite the advancement mankind claim to have in science and technology, till to date it is still impossible to accurately and effectively predict when an earthquake would strike. Some quake victims have even related deadly earthquake incidents to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Mankind would be humbled again in such tragedies and be reminded that science and technology do have their limitations. But for now, we hope that this MS would give Sabahans a greater peace of mind.

Source: https://wilfredmadiustangau.com/2017/10/15/adopt-guidelines-for-earthquake-resistant-buildings/

Article by the Honourable Wilfred Madius Tangau, the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation of Malaysia. He was born in Kampung Lokos in Kiulu, Tuaran in the state of Sabah, Malaysia.

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