Latest news with #AfricanDay
Business Mayor
26-05-2025
- Health
- Business Mayor
COMSTECH reaffirms commitment to advancing science and technology in Africa on African Day – Associated Press of Pakistan
– Advertisement – ISLAMABAD, May 25 (APP):COMSTECH, the OIC Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation Sunday extended its heartfelt solidarity and congratulations to African nations on the occasion of African Day and reaffirmed its deep commitment to strengthening science, technology, and innovation across the African continent. Since its establishment, COMSTECH has played a pivotal role in promoting scientific collaboration among OIC member states, with Africa as a key focus. Under the leadership of Coordinator General Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary, during the last five years, COMSTECH has launched a wide array of initiatives aimed at building capacity, supporting research, enhancing health systems, and empowering youth and women throughout Africa. In his special message for African Day, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary stated,'Africa is not only a continent of vast potential and rich heritage. It is the future of global innovation. At COMSTECH, we are committed to harnessing the power of science and technology to enable sustainable development, nurture local talent, and build resilient communities throughout Africa.' COMSTECH's efforts have included hands-on training workshops in renewable energy, biotechnology, information and communication technologies, and environmental sciences. Through partnerships with institutions like TWAS, the University of Lahore, ICCBS, and HUCM, hundreds of African scholars have been awarded fully funded research fellowships, technical training, and academic degrees in Pakistan. In addition to academic support, COMSTECH has strengthened scientific research across Africa by funding collaborative projects that unite African universities with counterparts across the OIC. These projects tackle pressing challenges such as food security, public health, and climate resilience. Scientific conferences and seminars held in Nigeria, Ethiopia, and other countries have facilitated knowledge exchange and fostered long-term institutional partnerships. COMSTECH has also taken significant steps to improve health systems in African nations. A comprehensive five-year action plan includes disease surveillance training, health policy workshops, and virtual health networks. In cooperation with the Islamic Development Bank and LRBT, COMSTECH has organized cataract surgery camps in Niger, Chad, and Somalia, trained ophthalmologists in managing diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma, and conducted specialized workshops on topics including leishmaniasis, neurology, and histopathology in cities such as Addis Ababa, Kampala, and Mogadishu. Efforts to support infrastructure development have led to the establishment of centres of excellence and Halal authentication laboratories, most notably at the Islamic University in Uganda and the provision of advanced scientific instruments in Mauritania and Chad. COMSTECH's expert missions have also helped restore and operationalize critical laboratory equipment. Women and youth are at the heart of COMSTECH's programs. Through mentorship schemes, scholarships, and the COMSTECH Youth Leadership Training initiative, young African professionals are brought to Islamabad to work on science and technology policy solutions. In Nigeria, a COMSTECH-IsDB initiative has advanced citrus processing technologies, while in The Gambia, a partnership with the Al-Khwarizmi Institute has resulted in the launch of a Master's in Computer Science curriculum and an ICT vocational training center. Between 2022 and 2024 alone, more than 70 African awardees benefited from fellowships and targeted programs, including those for Least Developed Countries (LDCs). To date, over 161 individuals from OIC and non-OIC African states have been supported through COMSTECH's diverse educational and training initiatives. Moreover, COMSTECH has covered travel costs for over 40 African scholars to participate in major conferences on topics such as neglected tropical diseases, precision agriculture, natural product chemistry, and water resource management. Under the COMSTECH-Gourmet Industrial Internship Program, young researchers from African countries were placed in various departments of the leading food industry of Pakistan, and more would be placed on a yearly basis. These wide-ranging and impactful initiatives reflect COMSTECH's unwavering commitment to advancing scientific capacity, fostering innovation, and enabling sustainable development across Africa through dedicated cooperation and strategic support.
RTÉ News
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Thousands attend Africa Day event in Dublin
Thousands gathered to celebrate all things African at the Africa Day event, which took place at the Royal Hospital of Kilmainham in Dublin. The event marked the start of week-long celebrations, which will be taking place across the country. With more than 50 musical acts, dancers, performers, food stalls and an interactive cultural village showcasing African art and culture, the event offered a taste of the diverse continent. The Africa Day event is to commemorate the foundation of the Organisation of African Unity in 1963, with Africa Day itself falling on 25 May every year. It also allows the African diaspora in Ireland to celebrate the people and culture of African countries. The event was organised by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Dublin City Council. All 31 local authorities around the country are also hosting events to mark Africa Day from today until next weekend. African Day Ambassador and Southside Moves Dance Teacher Lapree Lala said the event is important to celebrate in Ireland as it helps to foster connections. "It's all about bringing people together from all parts of the world. Of course we're in Ireland, but I think one of the beauties is that we're celebrating Africa Day in a different part of the world, and it just shows unity and how people come together to collaborate, to respect and showcase different parts of your culture." "Most of my students are Irish actually, and they were also here today to celebrate and perform as part of Southside Moves, it's been a beautiful thing to see," she said. With many proud to showcase their heritage, traditional clothing brought colour, glamour, and style to the event. Among those was Dr Gamagnahore from the Ivory Coast, who decided to bring a touch of royalty to the occasion. "We are from the Ivory Coast and what we're wearing, it's a special traditional outfit representing the King and the Queen, from the southern part of the Ivory Coast." "It's a way to preserve cultural identity, especially among the younger generation. We were born here, and it's really a joy for us to be here representing the Ivory Coast". As Ireland's African community continues to grow, founder of Black and Irish Leon Diop said that occasions encourage integration and celebrate the relationship between Ireland and Africa. "Africa Day is about a lot of things. It's about connecting African and Irish culture and the many different cultures that are within Africa. "It's about celebration. It's about celebrating the many different people who are of African heritage and are now in Ireland and contributing to the vibrant community and society that we're building," he said. "The best way that we're going to get to know one another, and understand one another, is if we share spaces and if we get into a space where we can enjoy and experience one another's cultures. " I'm a mixed-race Irish man. Today is wonderful being able to celebrate my Irish heritage and celebrate my African heritage as well," Mr Diop added.
