london

Science faculties from universities in six countries in East and Southern Africa have agreed to form a network to help develop research and higher education in poorer parts of the continent.

The network will comprise initially universities in Tanzania, Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Swaziland. The project was proposed by Mayunga Nkunya, dean of the science faculty at the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. It was announced at a conference on sciences for development held in Arusha, Tanzania.

Nkunya says many scientists see little point in doing research while their countries remain mired in poverty, military conflict and political instability. The network will give help and mentoring to staff and students in universities.

The Arusha conference promoted the idea that investment in research is a key to development, and resolved to emphasize this message at the world conference.

Full text: http://imagine.nature.com/wcs/a11.html