ALC mounts a Laser Course in Kenya The first training on lasers in Kenya, sponsored by the African Laser Centre (ALC), finally took place from 24th to 29th March, 2008. The course had to be rescheduled from earlier dates in February due to the volatile political situation existing in Kenya earlier in the year which caused some apprehension among the foreign guests expected to attend the course. Even in those changed and challenging circumstances, our South African counterparts, Prof. Hubertus von Bergmann, who was the key resource person, and Dr. Paul Motalane, representing ALC and NLC, together with the Kenyan hosts Dr. Rurimo Kihara and Prof. P.N. Kioni mounted a very successful and motivating training on laser. The course, which was held at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), had 20 delegates. The delegates were either MSc, PhD students or researchers in Kenya’s public universities. The Universities represented included JKUAT, Kenyatta University, University of Nairobi, Moi University, Maseno University and Egerton University; actually, are all the public universities which have postgraduate programmes to which the laser science is considered relevant. Among the delegates were two Rwandese students. The course was organized as an induction training to give the delegates an understanding of the broad spectrum of laser designs and their applications. The topics included laser safety, resonators, amplification, gas lasers, dye lasers, solid state lasers femtosecond lasers, non-linear optics, holography, and introduction to laser induced fluorescence. Course delivery was in form of lectures, tutorials and practical sessions. Among the practical work were manipulation of laser beams, typical laser characteristics measurements, and assembly of a nitrogen laser. Two nitrogen lasers, used in the assembly demonstration, were donations from ALC. This course was very effective in introducing the delegates to the importance of lasers and the immense related research opportunities. From the evaluation at the end of the course, it was evident that this was the first time that these delegates attended such a comprehensive and insightful training on lasers in spite of most of them being physics degree holders. All of them indicated that they would be seeking opportunities for research and further training on lasers and related fields. The opening ceremony was presided over by the permanent secretary, Prof. Crispus Kiamba, of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology, in a ceremony also attended by top officials of JKUAT. It was closed by the executive secretary of National Council of Science and Technology. Both expressed their support for laser activities in Kenya and endorsed JKUAT initiative in promoting this field including the initiative to establish a Laser Centre in the University. At these ceremonies the role of ALC was explained and the Kenya government was urged to support the ALC activities. The government and the University officials all applauded ALC for taking the initiative and concrete steps in implementation of programmes identified for action under African Union and NEPAD. The course organizers are developing other proposals, within the ALC framework to build on this support by the ALC, the University and the Ministry. Details in the document repository Article by P. N. Kioni REPORT ALC SHORT COURSE 2007: INTRODUCTION TO LASERS 12-16 NOVEMBER 2007 Laser Research Institute Physics Department University of Stellenbosch - STELLENBOSCH The second ALC “Introduction to lasers” course was successfully held during 12-16 November in Stellenbosch. In total 25 people attended the course. Fifteen were fully sponsored by the ALC. Of those 15 participants, 10 came from African countries as far as Egypt, Tunisia and Algeria and 5 from the Republic of South Africa. All delegates sponsored by the ALC were housed in the Stellenbosch Lodge, situated on the outskirts of Stellenbosch. The course went smoothly, all lectures and practicals started on time and participation was excellent. An evaluation was taken, and this reveals that in most cases participants benefited significantly from the course. An anonymous questionnaire was also filled in. Judging the verbal response from the various participants, as well as the written response in the questionnaires the course was highly appreciated. There was a good spirit among the participants and free interaction during classes, practicals and refreshment breaks. In some cases responses indicated that the amount of material that we cover in one week may be too much. However, everybody understands that the cost will become too high to spread the course over two weeks. The budget with respect to the ALC sponsorship was overspent since the secretariat proved to be significantly more work than anticipated. The secretariat, undertaken by ourselves, turned out to be quite stressful in assisting participants to obtain their visas and air tickets. The biggest problem was communication by e-mail that sometimes lack in quick response where we did need it. In addition the University charges a levy for all contracts undertaken by the LRI, which needs to be taken into consideration in the future budget. Attached to this covering letter are the following details regarding the course: A list of participants. The detailed program. Results of evaluation. Questionnaire and feedback. Balance sheet. In summary, the course was once again a success, and it is apparent that there is a demand for this type of interaction by students and staff of ALC members. Due to the positive feedback from the participants in general, it was decided that the LRI will again offer to present the course in 2008. Sincerely yours EG Rohwer Director: LRI The full document can be view or downloaded from the repository LAPAMS'08

The Advanced Technologies Development Centre (CDTA) in Algiers, will organise, in collaboration with the African Laser Centre (ALC) and LAM Network, the first international conference on Lasers and Plasma Applications in Material Sciences. The confersnce takes place on 23-26 June 2008 in Algiers, Algeria.

Editor: Dr Paul Motalane