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HP, Cambridge Turn to Africa for EdTech Innovations to Transform Learning
This September, 25 of Africa’s most influential education technology (EdTech) leaders will head to Cambridge on a new fellowship programme from Cambridge Partnership for Education and HP.
The HP Cambridge Partnership for Education EdTech Fellowship is a seven-month programme that aims to grow participants’ knowledge and skills to lead impactful EdTech transformations in their education systems.
The first cohort of EdTech fellows will work to increase the quality and equity of learning through digital transformation in education systems across Sub-Saharan Africa. Learning with technology has the potential to create societies that are not only more inclusive and prosperous, but also ensure that young people are equipped with the skills they need for their careers.
Cambridge and HP selected the group from 400 applications. The first cohort of their HP Cambridge Partnership for Education EdTech Fellowship includes government officials working in education and leaders from private and not-for-profit EdTech organisations.
The Cambridge HP fellowship programme will encompass inclusive EdTech for disadvantaged groups, the role of AI, and digital strategy, policy and governance. The fellows will also develop an equitable solution to an education system challenge using user-centred design while developing their leadership skills.
With Africa experiencing rapid population growth, the first fellows’ influence on global education is set to have a significant impact.
The first fellows include senior government officials responsible for national digital education initiatives, with the goal to improve learning for more than 120 million children across Botswana, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Uganda and Zambia.
The programme, which starts with online study next week, will include a residential course in September 2023, held at Trinity Hall, University of Cambridge in the UK, as well as one-to-one coaching over the course of seven months.
Fellows joining the programme on scholarship include Dr Frances Alimigbe, Assistant Chief Education Officer at the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria. Dr Frances works with more than two million teachers across 36 states, including on teacher selection, standards and policy.
Some of the key challenges she plans to focus on during the fellowship are infrastructure and tools and teachers’ digital skills and capacity in schools, especially in rural areas.
“The wealth of contacts and ideas that will be acquired by being a member of the fellowship will form an immense database and viable resource for us to fall back to. With the fellowship, we form a community of practice where best practices are shared across borders and generate quality research ideas for improving EdTech transformation in teaching and learning globally.” said Dr Alimigbe.
Other fellows include Mrs. Catherine Agyapomaa Appiah-Pinkrah, Director of General Administration at the Ministry of Education in Ghana.
She said: “There is the need to put in place reliable and credible fidelity of implementation strategies for quality assurance in all our programmes and policy implementation. I believe the fellowship will expose me to new ideas, exchange of ideas and experiences and best practices from other participants.”
Jane Mann, Managing Director of Cambridge Partnership for Education, said: “Our first EdTech fellows have huge remits, and huge strengths. They are responsible for turning policy into action.
Supported by one another, tutors and coaches, the fellows will build healthier EdTech ecosystems where grassroots innovations are promoted, effectively evaluated and successfully scaled to help combat learning crises today and increase education system resilience for the future.”
Mayank Dhingra, Senior Education Business Leader at HP, said: “The next breakthroughs in EdTech will come from emerging visionary leaders in unique national contexts. This programme will enable cross-border discussions and development to help overcome barriers, from infrastructure to curriculum content.”
Cambridge Partnership for Education developed the inaugural EdTech fellowship programme with HP during the AfricanBrains Summit in Lusaka, Zambia in 2022.
The programme is led by Cambridge Partnership for Education Head of Education Technology Solutions Julia Citron. It is supported by the Digital Education Futures Initiative (DEFI) at Hughes Hall at the University of Cambridge and Dr Bjoern Hassler’s team at EdTech specialist NGO, OpenDevEd.
HP Cambridge Partnership for Education EdTech fellows:
Botswana
- Nicodemus Merafhe, Chief Education Officer, Government of Botswana, Ministry of Education & Skills Development, the Department of ICT and Media Services, Botswana
Eswatini
- Martha Shongwe, Chief Inspector for Secondary Education, Ministry of Education and Training, Eswatini
Ethiopia
- Dr Zelalem Assefa Azene, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), ICT and Digital Education, Ministry of Education, Ethiopia
Ghana
- Catherine Agyapomaa Appiah-Pinkrah, Director, General Administration, Ministry of Education, Ghana
- Akwasi Addae-Boahene, Advisor to former Minister, Transforming Teaching, Education and Learning, T-Tel, Ghana
- Miracule Daniel Gavor, Executive Director of Ghana Society for Education Technology, Ghana
- Gyamfi Adwabour, Executive Director, Centre for National Distance Learning and Open Schooling, Ghana
Kenya
- John Masika, Assistant Director – TVET Digital Transformation, Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority, Kenya
Malawi
- Dr Joshua Valeta, Director of Open, Distance and e-Learning, Ministry of Education
Nigeria
- Dr Frances Alimigbe, Assistant Chief Education Officer, Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria
- Ayodele Odeogbola, Co-Founder, Hybrid Learning Specialist, TedPrime Support Initiative, Nigeria
- Dr Adetola Salau, Political Aide to the Executive Governor of Lagos State on Education, Nigeria
- Soji Megbowon, Principal Education Officer/Lead Researcher, Lagos State Ministry of Education
Rwanda
- Bella Rwigamba, Chief Digital Officer, Ministry of Education, Rwanda
Sierra Leone
- Victor Abu Sesay, Director of Technology and Innovation, Ministry of Technical and Higher Education, Government of Sierra Leone
South Africa
- Dr Neo Mothobi, Chief Education Specialist, Ministry of Education, South Africa
- Roche Mogorosi, Chief Director – Schools Technology Support Services, Gauteng Department of Education, South Africa
- Shunmugam Padayachee, Deputy Director General: Teachers, Education Human Resource and Institutional Development, Department of Basic Education, Pretoria, Republic of South Africa
- Emmanuel Pillay, CEO, iTMaster (PTY) Ltd, South Africa
- Michael Mavimbela, Senior Education Specialist – eLearning, Mpumalanga Department of Education, South Africa
- Jana Du Plooy, CEO, Acorn Education NPC / into space NPC, South Africa
Uganda
- Kenneth Bagarukayo, Commissioner Research and Development, Ministry of Information and Communications Technology, Uganda
Zambia
- George Mutale, Assistant Director for ICT, Ministry of Education, Zambia
Zimbabwe
- Addi Mavengere, CEO, Learning Factory, Zimbabwe
Pan-Africa NGO
- Hakeem Subair, Chief Executive Officer, 1 Million Teachers:
News
NERC says World Bank will Crash Solar Tariff in Nigeria
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has said the World Bank will soon be executing a solar auction framework that will reduce the cost of solar tariff in Nigeria.
The Head of the Renewable Energy/Corporate Planning and Strategy, NERC, Engineer O. Jonathan stated this during a webinar competency centre renewable series of the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN).
He said: “We are having some challenges which have to do with integrating the solar energy into the national grid. Those challenges, many commissions, have come to the aid of the commission.
“World Bank presently is bringing out a solar auction framework. That solar auction framework, once it commences, it will allow the developers and the cost of solar tariff will go down.
“That is the essence of the solar auction. It will open the space for all the contractors in Nigeria to be in it.
“In financing and investment, the World has outlined how they will support in the distribution and transmission segment, not in the generation.”
Head Supply, HSEQ, and Technical at MEMAN in a communique made available to journalists on Friday remarked on the importance of the workshop in advancing Nigeria’s energy transition agenda. The workshop was titled: “Energy transition through solar energy.”
Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Engineer Abiola Kosegbe, said there is a deficit in the energy needs of Nigerians and Lagos State residents, in particular.
She stated that Lagos State has set an ambitious target to generate 50% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, with initiatives like the “Solar for All” program playing a crucial role in achieving this goal.
She stressed the need for continued investment in infrastructure, supportive policies, and collaboration to sustain the growth of renewable energy in Lagos and across Nigeria.
Kosegbe said: “Advancement of renewable technologies and the transformative potential for the energy sector. We know that there is a deficit in the energy needs of Nigerians and in Lagos State, in particular. That cannot just be over-emphasised.
“We stand on a new era of advancement in renewable technologies. We need to fill the gaps that we are faced as we are in Nigeria today. Solar, wind, hydro, bioenergy are not just alternative sources.
“They are becoming the backbone of sustainable energy future. Innovations in this fields are driving efficiency, reducing costs and unlocking new possibilities.
“Focusing on solar power, for example, recent breakthroughs in the energy storage are dramatically increasing solar efficiency and making it more accessible than ever.
“Wind energy too, has seen remarkable strides with development of larger more efficient turbines and offshore installations that harness stronger and more consistent winds.
“For Lagos State we have set an ambitious renewable energy target. We are aiming to generate 50% of electricity through renewable sources by 2030. Solar energy is leading the charge with Lagos state government launching initiatives like Solar for all programme, providing affordable solar energy solutions for homes and businesses.
“In Lagos State today, we have seen the solar energy adaption grow by 200% in the last two years.
“The advancement in renewable energy technologies are not just shaping the future of energy, they are defining it, with continues innovation and dedication, we have the opportunity to create energy sector and in deed a society that is clean, resilient and sustainable for generations to come.”
Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, Director-General, Energy Commission of Nigeria, said both the federal and state governments need to commission and adequately fund national research programmes on specific solar solar photovoltaic (PV) component aspects so that it will enhance the localization of some percentage of technology in Nigeria.
His presentation which focused on advancing solar photovoltaic (PV) technology in Nigeria, was delivered by the Director, Renewable Energy Department, Sulu Bolaji Fulani Ibrahim.
He stated that solar PV holds immense potential to transform Nigeria’s energy landscape, with applications ranging from home systems to large-scale utility projects.
According to him, there is a critical need to adopt the latest solar technologies to ensure cost-effectiveness and value for money.
He underscored the importance of policy documents such as the National Energy Policy and the Renewable Energy Action Plan in guiding the development of solar energy.
He added that the strategic use of Nigeria’s mineral resources, such as lithium, is crucial for supporting local content and driving the renewable energy industry.
He said: “We need do to have parameters for assessment so that we have value for money. This is for cost effectiveness. We also have to look at the technology readiness level and the local content of the solar PV technology.
“For technology readiness, most of the solar PV components we are using in Nigeria today are at the highest meaning that technology is matured. For local content, we have minerals that are key to energy transition.
“One of them is lithium. So we need to take advantage of the minerals reserves that we have. We need to develop the local content.”
News
Kaspersky Takes Part in the Development of the New ISO/IEC Standard for IoT Devices
From smart watches and digital assistants to connected cars, web-enabled Internet of Things (IoT) devices and technologies are transforming daily life and industry.
To ensure the integrity and safety of IoT systems, Kaspersky experts are contributing to the development of a new International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard for IoT devices: “ISO/IEC TS 30149 Internet of Things (IoT) – Trustworthiness principles”.
This standard is being established in collaboration with experts from the Joint Technical Committee 1 between ISO and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
The standard sets out the factors making IoT devices safe and trustworthy, analysing the relations between unconditional trust and assured system dependability, formalising the general concept of trust.
With the complexity of today’s IoT solutions and increasing sophistication of cyberattacks targeting these devices, having a technical understanding of solutions is crucial for mitigating the inherent risks of these products.
Kaspersky perceives trust as a concept to ensure all relevant stakeholders understand the specific trust elements of an IoT solution, and any potential risks in their given use case.
Developed over the last five years, the standard sets requirements for the trust of cyber-physical systems, including various devices and systems of IoT and industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). The standard defines a complex and ambiguous concept of trust, as well as principles for building and managing trust in the system life cycle.
The document also describes principles for IoT system trust management and building trusted systems, with the standard annex containing best practices for IoT system trustworthiness.
They include participative (stakeholder-based) approach, trustworthiness characterisation method, system maturity models, and impact assessment, among others. The annex also specifies a trustworthiness view that covers practical aspects of assuring the quality and security of IoT system usage.
The document standard regulates the principles of trust in terms of reliability, security, information security, personal data security, and robustness in the face of attacks. It outlines principles for building and managing trust and confidence in IoT and IIoT systems throughout their life cycle, considering both the informational and physical aspects.
Ekaterina Rudina, Security Analysis Group Manager at Kaspersky, noted: “The operation of IoT systems is a serious process that should be secured on both cyber and physical levels. The trustworthiness of these systems is a key factor for developers and users.
“We are always committed to creating the highest security standards and constantly work on sharing our global expertise. It’s encouraging to see how the international expert community continues to work and to make significant progress in this area.”
News
Family of Detained Binance Executive, Raises Alarm Over Deteriorating Health, Rights Violations in Nigerian Custody
Family of Tigran Gamabryan, a Binance executive who has been detained by the Nigerian government, has raised serious concerns about his deteriorating health and the alleged violation of his rights as he approaches six months in custody.
Gamabryan, who has been in detention since February 26th, 2024, is reportedly suffering from severe health issues, including a herniated disc and spinal injury, which have left him unable to walk.
According to a statement released by his family on Tuesday, the prison authorities have refused to provide Gamabryan with a wheelchair, forcing him to remain bedridden. This has resulted in muscle atrophy, requiring him to take blood thinners to prevent blood clots. His condition they said, has worsened over time, and he has also suffered from malaria, double pneumonia, and now severe tonsillitis, which reportedly requires surgery.
The statement also revealed that Gamabryan’s legal team has also faced significant challenges in accessing him.
“From July 26th to August 14th Tigran’s legal team were denied entry to visit him in prison – with no explanation – which is against the Nigerian constitution and the governing laws of the prison in which he is being held.
When the team was allowed to visit him (after it was made public that they had been denied entry), they were only allowed a 5 minute visit which is insufficient time to prepare for his trial, in contravention of the Nigerian constitution (Chapter 4 section 36, subsection 6b). Since then they have been denied entry again.”
The U.S. Embassy, which has been involved in the case, no longer has access to Gamabryan due to his inability to walk to the visitor area.
His family has also expressed concern that his health will continue to deteriorate without proper medical care.
Gamabryan’s detention began under controversial circumstances. He was invited to Nigeria by the government for a meeting and was assured of his safety.
However, during the meeting, his passport was confiscated, and he was taken to a “guest house” where he was held for nearly a month before being formally charged. The Nigerian authorities initially informed the American Embassy that Gamabryan was staying at the guest house willingly.
He was eventually moved to Kuje prison after charges were brought against him by the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The EFCC prosecutor reportedly stated that Gmabryan was being charged because Binance operates virtually, and he was the only individual they could hold accountable.
“Tigran was invited to Nigeria by the Nigerian government for a meeting and was given assurances that he would be safe. However, during the meeting his passport was taken and he was made to pack his items from the hotel and was taken to a “guest house”.
“After he was detained by them, the Nigerian authorities told the American Embassy that Tigran was staying at the guest house willingly.
Tigran was held for almost one month in this guest house before two sets of charges were brought against him and Binance and Tigran was moved to the infamous Kuje prison. According to the Nigerian EFCC prosecutor, Tigran is being charged because, “The 1st defendant (Binance) is operating virtually. The only thing we have to hold on to is this defendant.”
In addition to the charges from the EFCC, Gamabryan was initially facing tax evasion charges brought by the Nigerian Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). These charges were dropped on June 14th, with the FIRS agreeing to pursue the charges against Binance through a locally-appointed representative.
The trial for the remaining charges began on May 17th, with Binance offering to appoint a local representative. Cross-examination of the witnesses has started, but the court went on recess until October. However, an application to hear the case during the recess was granted, and the next hearing is scheduled for September 2nd.
Despite repeated court orders, the Nigerian authorities have refused to release Gamabryan’s medical records to his legal team and the U.S. Embassy. In response, the judge presiding over the case issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the Nigerian prison doctor.
Gamabryan has reportedly missed several significant milestones while in detention, including his son’s 5th birthday, his own 40th birthday, and his upcoming 15th wedding anniversary.
His family continues to plead for his release, citing the severe toll his detention has taken on his health and the violation of his legal rights.
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