The ICPC Nanonet Project hosted its 4th and final Annual Workshop in Goa, India on 2nd-4th April 2012. Organised by Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bangalore, the workshop focused on Nanotechnology for Water, Energy and the Environment. The event brought together experts from the EU and each of the eight ICPC regions: Africa, Caribbean, Pacific, Asia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Latin America, Mediterranean Partner Countries, and the Western Balkan Countries.
The workshop enabled delegates to find out about the latest developments in these fields from regional experts as well as an in depth insight into ethical issues. Through poster presentations and networking sessions, the event offered opportunities to increase and intensify the number of collaborations world wide in N&N areas.
For those who could not attend in person, the workshop was webcast live to a large number of online participants across the globe, allowing them to present questions to the various speakers.
As the guest of the African Materials Research Society and NanoSciences Africa Network (NanoAfNet), the Institute of Nanotechnology (UK) has had an invaluable opportunity to gain substantial insight into the latest developments in materials research and applications in Africa. During a dynamic ten-day visit, the Institute was able to gather vital data for the forthcoming region report on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in Africa, one of eight region reports to be published online in March as part of the ICPC Nanonet Project.
Institute of Nanotechnology/ICPC Nanonet poster presentation at the 6th AMRS Conference, Zimbabwe.
6th African Materials Research Society Conference
Networking and research activities began at the 6th African Materials Research Society Conference against the stunning backdrop of the Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. The week-long biennial event attracted well over 300 participants from Africa, Europe, the US and Asia, including a large body of students, and engaged them in talks and seminars examining current and emerging trends in materials research.
The ICPC Nanonet project is delighted to be able to take part in the 6th International Conference of the Africa Materials Research Society, which will be held in picturesque Victoria Falls, in western Zimbabwe, December 11-16, 2011.
This year’s Conference will focus on six broad materials research themes, including some of special interest to Africa. Key international leaders will discuss recent breakthroughs and future directions. The Conference will also provide an opportunity for policy, education and networking dialogue, and will help define challenges and future priorities for materials research and development in Africa and globally. This Conference follows previous ones in Nigeria, Tanzania, Morocco, South Africa and Senegal.
ICPC Nanonet has also been invited to deliver a presentation entitled “Bridging the Nano Divide through the ICPC Nanonet Project”. This will highlight how the project provides access to knowledge and creates tools to facilitate networking between scientists and researchers intra and inter-regionally by overcoming political, economic and geographical barriers to nano knowledge acquisition. The conference itself will provide an unprecendented opportunity to find out first-hand about the latest R&D from the participants themselves, who include representatives from ICPC Nanonet Associate Partner ‘Nanoscience Africa Network’ (NanoAfNet), ANSOLE and of course AMRS itself. The information gathered will be available in the Fourth Annual Region Report, in March 2012.
For further information, email
and for general questions about the conference, please contact Joe Zimba, President of the Africa MRS email: