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Global economic crunch takes its toll on available funding for ALC Programmes
The 2008/9 year was very successful for both Research Collaboration Programme and the Education & training programme of the African Laser Centre. A total of thirteen research collaboration projects were supported representing 30% increase in the total number supported from the previous cycle. The R&D outputs are also coming through. Since 2007/08 a total of 13 journal articles, 7 book chapters and 66 conference proceedings have been achieved by the ALC supported research teams. Additionally, a limited scholarship support programme for MSc and PhD laser research students is underway. The ALC has now established core laser based training programmes that are run by ALC experts on an annual basis. Some of the courses run on the previous cycle included 1) Introduction to Laser Beams: generation, characterisation and application championed by Dr Andrew Forbes of CSIR National Laser Centre, South Africa , 2) Introduction into Lasers managed by Prof Erich Rohwer of the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa, 3) CO2 Laser Development and Applications led by Prof Ndirangu Kioni and at Jomo Kenyata University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya also presented by Prof Hubertus von Bergmann of of the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa,, 4) Fibre Optic Communications Technology short course championed by Prof Andrew Leitch and team of Nelson MandelaMetropolitan University, South Africa, and 5) 2nd African Laser Centre Students' Workshop led by Prof Ernest van Dyk of Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, South Africa.
Due to limited funding resources available to the ALC management, it is anticipated that the ALC will continue to deepen laser-based education and training at a slightly reduced level than was in the previous cycle. We undertake to keep or even increase the quality of the training provided even though the quantity of events may be reduced. For 2010/11 cycle, the ALC management has already issued out calls as follows:
1. Research Collaboration calls which closed on 31 August 2009
2. ALC training provision call which closes on 31 September 2009
3. ALC scholarship call which closes on 31 October 2009
Details in the document repository
Article by Dr Paul Motalane
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| Progress with ALC
Editor: Dr Paul Motalane
Early in its life the South African National Laser Centre (NLC) became aware of various laser related research activities in Africa, and initiated a programme to consolidate the activities and promote laser research within the continent. This initiative took the form of the African Laser Centre (ALC), the brainchild of the NLC.
The ALC is growing from strength to strength and currently boasts membership of 30 institutes who are situated in East, West, Central, South and North African countries. The ALC's main objective is to grow laser based research through collaborative networks with human capital development as key driver. The ALC is proud of the South African Department of Science and Technology (DST) for the generous sponsorship since inception. Through this funding support by DST, the ALC has managed to fully develop a laser Research Programme, Educational Programme as well as Organisational Development programme.
The ALC maintains good governance under the direction of a Board of Directors. The current ALC Board of Directors comprises Prof Tom Otiti (Uganda), Dr El-Hachemi Amara (Algeria), Prof Shyam Singh (Namibia), Dr Adeniyi Fasasi (Nigeria), Prof Paul Buah-Bassuah, Dr Mourad Zhagal (Tunisia), Dr Ndumiso Cingo,(South Africa), Dr Jean-Marie Ndjaka (Cameroon) and Prof Hubertus von Bergmann (South Africa). Two Diaspora representatives sit on the ALC Board. These are Prof Sekazi Mtingwa (MIT, USA) and Dr James Uhomoibhi (University of Ulster, Ireland).
The ALC is managed by the CSIR National Laser Centre, one of the key nodes.
For further information please contact us.
Documents of importance may be viewed in the document repository.
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