CfPs on Science, Technology and Innovation in BRICS and MINT Countries | For special issue of African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development (AJSTID)

Call for Papers for a Special issue of

 

African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development (AJSTID):

 

Science, Technology and Innovation in BRICS and MINT Countries

 

The term 'BRIC' (Brazil, Russia, India and China) was coined in 2001 by Jim O'Neill a former Goldman Sachs economist. He anticipated that these emerging economics would be global economic powerhouses in the mid-21^st century. A decade later, South Africa was added to this group of countries and the term thenceforth became 'BRICS'. Today, the term has become a very common jargon and is increasingly playing an important role in the global economic landscape. These five countries are now joined in an association to foster mutual development.[1] Jim O'Neill further predicted that Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria and Turkey (MINT) will be the next economic powerhouses. These countries share common socio-economic and demographic conditions, for example, young population, crucial geographical locations and so on. The huge number of skilled workers is an advantage for these emerging economies. Although, in recent years MINT member countries are undergoing rapid growth and showing potential, they face many issues that are typically not part of the mainstream discourse. One such issue is mutual development in the area of science, technology and innovation (STI). Despite their commonalities, the flow of technology and knowledge among the BRICS and MINT economies still fall far behind the inflows from the global North. Moreover, the origin of these groups of countries is rooted in macroeconomic analyses of national conditions. It remains to be seen, therefore, whether these countries hold similarly strong prospects at the microeconomic level, especially in relation to STI. The BRICS economies have been the subject of many studies but the MINT group is relatively under-studied. Considering the foregoing, this special issue of African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development (AJSTID) is seeking original research contribution in the various aspects of Science Technology and Innovation studies in these two groups of emerging economics.

 

About the Journal

 

African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development (AJSTID) is a peer reviewed, multi-disciplinary international journal. The journal deals with the various issues of science, technology, and innovation in developing economies, with a special reference to Africa. It started in 2009 and publishes 6 issues in a year by Taylor and Francis. This special issue may come as an edited volume after two years of its publication. The journal is recognized by the South African Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and is in the process of indexing in globally recognized indexing and abstracting databases.

 

Topics for the Special Issue

 

This special issue of AJSTID calls for original research papers on, but not limited to, the broad topics outlined below. Individual country cases and cross-country studies from the BRICS and MINT countries are solicited on the following issues:

• National, Regional, and Technological Innovation Systems
• Technological Capability building
• Science Technology and Sustainable Development
• Role of these economics in the globalization of R&D
• University-Industry relations
• Science, Technology and Innovation Policy
• Science and Technology collaboration in and among these countries Traditional knowledge systems
• Creative Industries   

Perspective authors are encouraged to submit their manuscripts on topics beyond the broad theme of the special issue. However, all submissions must fit within the broader domain of the journal (Science Technology and Innovation Studies) and follow AJSTID's policy statements. Current PhD students and early career researchers are particularly encouraged to make submissions.

 

Submission Information

 

All manuscripts will go through double blind review. The manuscript should comply with the formatting guidelines of AJSTID. Detailed instructions to authors and manuscript preparation guidelines are available at http://tinyurl.com/qzbxxxe. More information about the journal can be found at http://tinyurl.com/ot4oebr. Manuscript is to be prepared in MSWord format, and to be sent as an email attachment to patrask@tut.ac.za. For more information, please contact the Special Issue Editors.

 

Timeline

 

Deadline for Submission of Full paper           : March 31^st 2016

Feedback to Authors                                      : June 30^th 2016

Tentative Publication Date                             : December 2016

 

Guest Editors

 

Swapan Kumar Patra (patrask@tut.ac.za), Abiodun Egbetokun (egbetokunaa@tut.ac.za)

---

[1] One of the real-world consequences of the BRICS club for the member countries is that it is generally easier for them to reach agreements in their small club than as part of a much larger group. For instance, Brazil and China concluded a currency swap deal in the 2013 BRICS summit.

Fwd: Call for post-doc fellowships at the Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics, Israel

Science, Ethics, and Democracy

Post-Doctorate Fellowships

 

The Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics at Tel Aviv University is accepting applications for its 2016-17 post-doctorate fellowship program. The Center offers grants to outstanding researchers who study the interplay between scientific and technological developments, politics, and ethics.

 

The fellowship is open to researchers from all disciplines and fields, including humanities, cyber and computer sciences, social sciences, law, medicine and bioethics.

 

Grant Amount: $28,000

 

Candidates must have a PhD from a recognized institution in Israel or abroad, and must have received their degree after February 15th 2011.

 

Candidates with permanent positions at universities or colleges are not eligible. Preference will be given to researchers whose degree is not from Tel Aviv University.

Additional funding for travel for non-Israelis fellows is available.

The Research Fellows will be part of the Center's research group and will take part in the Center's activities. While in residence, the fellows are expected to dedicate their full time to research.

 

Applicants must submit:

•  Approval indicating eligibility for a doctorate degree, or certification of the submission date of their dissertation.

• Three letters of recommendation. Preferably, at least one recommender should not belong to the academic institution where the applicant was a doctorate student.
• Summary of the dissertation and brief description of the research plan (both up to two pages).
• CV, including a list of publications (if applicable).

 

Deadline for submission of all application materials: February 15, 2016

Application materials should be sent by mail to: safracen@post.tau.ac.il

 

Selection process may also include personal interviews.

 

Additional information about the Center, research fellows and activities can be found at: http://ethics.tau.ac.il/en

 

 

Hagai Boas, PhD.

Program Director

The Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics

Tel Aviv University

http://ethics.tau.ac.il/en/

Tel: 03-6406952

Fax: 03-6407720

 

New article "Dr APJ Abdul Kalam's Vision for Renewable Energy Sector in India"

Dr APJ Abdul Kalam's Vision for Renewable Energy Sector in India.
by Anup Kumar Das
Akshay Urja, 2015, 9(2): 34-35.
Abstract: A firm believer in creating and encouraging science-based solutions for the benefit of mankind and society at large, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, was a visionary, scientist, and people's President. The author through this article presents valuable insights into Dr Kalam's views of how science can contribute to regeneration of the environmental resource base and a better energy future.

Download English Version | Hindi Version.

Invitation: Side Event at COP 21 Paris

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jayanta Bandyopadhyay <jayanta@iimcal.ac.in>

Invitation: Side Event at COP 21 Paris

[UNESCO CI News] CI highlights

UNESCO Communication and Information Weekly Newsletter

• 04.12.15 Privacy expert argues "algorithmic transparency" is crucial for online freedoms at UNESCO knowledge café "At the intersection of law and technology – knowledge of the algorithm is a fundamental right, a human right," argued American privacy law expert Marc Rotenberg, on Wednesday, 2 December during a Knowledge Café event organized by UNESCO's Communication and Information Sector at the Organization's Headquarters in Paris.

• 04.12.15 UNESCO supports Right to Information in Palestine Representatives of government and civil society met in Ramallah on 1 and 2 December to lay the ground for the adoption of a Right to Information law in Palestine. At the seminar, organized by UNESCO in cooperation with the Anti-Corruption Commission and the Ministry of Information, and attended by the key actors involved in the drafting and promoting of the right to information law, participants reviewed the latest draft of the law and agreed on amendments to bring it further in line with international standards and good practice.

• 04.12.15 Applying UNESCO's Gender-Sensitive Indicators for Media in Costa Rica On 26 November, UNESCO hosted a working session between the National Ministry of Women's Affairs of Costa Rica (INAMU) and four experts coming from Paraguay and Uruguay. The objective was to allow an exchange between the experts, INAMU and UNESCO to understand the details and capacities required to apply the Gender-Sensitive Indicators for Media (GSIM) developed by UNESCO.

• 04.12.15 Go beyond COP21, UNESCO urges Russian journalists While the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties (COP21) currently taking place in the Parisian village of Le Bourget represents an important global event for the media to report on climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts, it should be treated as only a small part of a larger journalistic response aimed at raising public awareness of how climate change is adversely affecting societies and communities in all countries.

• 03.12.15 Training on UNESCO's Media Development Indicators (MDI) in Thailand: Call for Applications UNESCO Bangkok is accepting applications for a training session on international standards and good practices in media policies for stakeholders in Thailand's media sector. The training will be conducted in English from 25 to 27 January 2016 in Bangkok.

• 03.12.15 Director-General condemns killing of cameraman Christophe Nkezabahizi in Burundi The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, today denounced the killing of television cameraman Christophe Nkezabahizi and called for an investigation into the crime, which included the killing of his wife and two children.

• 03.12.15 Director-General calls for investigation into the killing of journalist Pow James Raeth in South Sudan The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, today condemned the killing of radio journalist Pow James Raeth in South Sudan and called for an investigation into this crime.

• 02.12.15 First regional meeting held in the Dominican Republic to discuss Internet Governance and Info-Ethics Eminent experts, legislators and civil society representatives from Latin American and Caribbean countries - Peru, Brazil, Paraguay, Colombia, Argentina and Uruguay among others -, met in Santo Domingo on 26th and 27th November 2015 to share experiences and explore common regional approaches to Internet Governance and Info-Ethics in building open and inclusive Knowledge and Information Societies.

• 01.12.15 International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2015: Inclusion Matters Paris, 1 December—UNESCO will host a conference, "Inclusion matters: access and empowerment for people of all abilities," on International Day of Persons with Disabilities, 3 December. The Day is celebrated every year to raise awareness and mobilize support for critical issues relating to the inclusion of persons with disabilities in society and development.

• 30.11.15 Academia and students discuss outcomes of UNESCO study on media development in Jordan "This is a must read for every media student in Jordan" said Dr. Ezzat Hijab, Professor at the Faculty for Communication at the Middle East University, at the end of a session on UNESCO's Report on Media Development in Jordan organized in Amman last week. "We will discuss within our faculty how to best integrate it into the syllabus of the media curricula", he added.

• 30.11.15 Johannesburg launch of UNESCO's report on World Trends in Freedom of Expression and Media Development-Special Digital Focus 2015 The old Women's Gaol Atrium at Constitution Hill, Johannesburg, hosted on 17 November 2015, the launch of UNESCO's report on "World Trends in Freedom of Expression and Media Development-Special Digital Focus 2015". The report explores emerging opportunities and challenges for press freedom in the digital age, with a focus on online hate speech, protection of journalism sources, the role of internet intermediaries in fostering freedom online, and safety of journalists. The event brought together about 40 media lecturers, media researchers, free expression defenders and journalism promoters from South Africa.

• 30.11.15 UNESCO celebrates International Day of Persons with Disabilities The International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) has been commemorated since 1992 to promote awareness and mobilize support for critical issues relating to the inclusion of persons with disabilities in society and development. The Day works to promote action to raise awareness about disability issues and draw attention to the benefits of an inclusive and accessible society for all.

Back to top

Leading scientists to define the requirements and potential of science in addressing global challenges

UNESCO Media Advisory No. 2015-42

Leading scientists to define the requirements and potential of science in addressing global challenges

Paris, 4 December—Twenty-six of the world’s leading scientists will examine how science can help overcome global challenges and what it needs to do during the 4^th meeting of the UN Secretary-General’s Scientific Advisory Board. The meeting will take place in St. Petersburg, Russia, on 14 and 15 December.

The two-day meeting will be hosted by the Government of the Russian Federation. It will be co-chaired by the Director General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, and Professor Vladimir Fortov, member of the Board and President of the Russian Academy of sciences.

The Board will offer recommendations on a range of topics, concerning sustainable development and climate-related risks. Its debates will notably focus on the new 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted by the United Nations’ General Assembly in September and the outcome of the 21^st session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21) and will serve as the backbone for a consolidated report.

Recommendations are also expected to focus on ways to include local and indigenous knowledge in scientific assessments and decision-making processes concerning scientific, political and societal issues. The Scientific Advisory Board is also scheduled to finalize its “Delphi Study on the Top Challenges for the Future of Humanity” and a policy brief on the data revolution, which were discussed during their last meeting in May 2015.

The central function of the Board is to advise the UN Secretary-General and the UN system on science, technology and innovation (STI) for sustainable development.

The meeting will open with a message from UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, followed by a High Level discussion panel on 14 December at the University Gornyi, and a round-table on “Mapping emerging trends with the forthcoming policy agenda”.

The Scientific Advisory Board was created in September 2013 at the request of the UN Secretary-General to further inform the debate on sustainable development. The Board is composed of 26 eminent scientists representing all regions and a wide range of scientific disciplines relevant for sustainable development spanning ocean, climate and biodiversity research to engineering through political and social sciences. In addition, all members of the SAB have extensive experience in international scientific cooperation and in the interface between science policy and society.

Board members are appointed in their personal capacity, and not as representatives of their respective States or of any other entities with which they may be affiliated. They serve on a pro bono basis for a period of two years, with the possibility of renewal for one subsequent two-year term at the discretion of the UN Secretary-General.

UNESCO hosts the secretariat of the Board.

****

A press conference will be held ahead of the meeting on 13 December at 6 pm at the Hotel Ambassador, St. Petersburg

 

Journalists wishing to cover the event or the press-conference must seek accreditation, please contact:

·       Vladimir Alexandrovich Cherepanov

·       Nikolay Viktorovitch Khaustov
Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO
sabrus.press(at)yahoo.com

 

·       Isabelle Brugnon
Natural Sciences Sector, UNESCO
i.brugnon(at)unesco.org, tel: +33(0)145684068 (until 11 December) or + 7 921 797 96 37 (12-17 December)

·       Victoria Kalinin
Department of Public Information, UNESCO
v.kalinin(at)unesco.org, tel: +33(0)1 45 68 18 46

Related links:

·        Website of the Scientific Advisory Board

·        Members of the Scientific Advisory Board

 

UNESCO Press Conference - Changing minds, not the climate

Save the date

Friday, 4 December

Press Room 2, Le Bourget (Blue Zone)

2pm – 2:30pm

 

 

UNESCO Press Conference

Changing minds, not the climate

 

UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova will reinforce the themes of COP21 through the efforts of UNESCO on climate change, focusing particular attention on best practices in Education for Sustainable Development and showcasing successful efforts in policies relevant to the Ocean and climate in a press conference to be held on 4 December at Le Bourget.

 

The press conference coincides with UNESCO side events related to Ocean Days (3-4 December) and a ministerial level meeting on best practices in Education for Sustainable Development.

 

 

---

WORLD AIDS DAY 2015
Getting to Zero – Starting with Quality Education!
Objectif Zéro – Commençons par une éducation de qualité !