Latest news with #Science&Technology
New Indian Express
30-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Bengaluru to host dialogue with Physics Nobel laureates today
BENGALURU: Ahead of the country's first-ever Quantum India Bengaluru Summit, scheduled to be held on Thursday and Friday, the state government will host Nobel laureates in Physics Prof Duncan Haldane (2016 winner) and Prof David Gross (2004) for an exclusive dialogue on Wednesday. On Tuesday, Minor Irrigation, Science & Technology Minister N S Boseraju chaired a preparatory meeting related to the summit along with Karnataka Science and Technology Promotion Society (KSTePS) Managing Director Sadashiva Prabhu, Indian Institute of Science (IISC) Prof Akshay Naik (co-chair of the summit) and senior officials. 'Our government is laying the groundwork to position Karnataka as India's quantum capital. This dialogue with Nobel laureates will mark the beginning of a long-term roadmap to integrate quantum innovation into Karnataka's development blueprint,' the minister said. With Bengaluru already recognised as the nation's innovation nucleus, Karnataka is accelerating efforts to harness quantum technologies for economic and social transformation. From IT and aerospace to cutting-edge quantum frontiers, the state aims to strengthen its position on the global innovation map, Boseraju said. The dialogue will facilitate high-level discussions between the Nobel laureates and Karnataka's top officials, including the principal secretaries of Industries, IT & BT and Higher Education. The exchange is expected to pave the way for advancing quantum research, infrastructure and collaborations with global experts.
New Paper
28-07-2025
- Business
- New Paper
Singapore must build nuclear energy capabilities: Tan See Leng
Singapore has to build its capabilities in nuclear energy even though it has not made a decision on its use, as countries in the region have publicly signalled their intent to build such facilities. Dr Tan See Leng, Singapore's Minister-in-charge of Energy and Science & Technology, said in an interview on July 21 that the country needs to acquire technical expertise in this area to ensure its safety. "Our neighbours, the Philippines, Indonesia, have publicly signalled that they intend to build nuclear plants. So, regardless of whether we have made the decision, our neighbours have made the decision," he said in his first interview in the new portfolio. Dr Tan was previously overseeing energy issues as Second Minister for Trade and Industry. Five Asean countries - Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand - have said they are either studying the feasibility of advanced nuclear technology to meet their growing energy needs, or already have plans to build new reactors in the coming decades. As Singapore continues to evaluate the viability of nuclear energy for the country, local talents have to be trained so they can determine whether advanced nuclear technologies are safe and suitable for the Republic when these come onto the market, Dr Tan said. On July 11, the Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Institute was launched with an aim to train 100 nuclear experts by 2030 - up from the 50 today. Singapore also renewed the Third Country Training Programme Memorandum of Understanding with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on July 25. Under the agreement, Singapore will develop training programmes with the UN nuclear watchdog to support developing IAEA member states with fellowships, scientific visits and training courses. Topics covered will include human health, industrial radiography, environmental radioactivity monitoring and analysis, and accelerator science. Singapore's approach to nuclear energy has changed over the years, as new technologies come online. In 2012, the Republic had initially considered atomic power nuclear technologies of that time unsuitable for deployment in the small city-state. Dr Tan noted that conventional nuclear plants are large, and require exclusive buffer zones. "Categorically, let me tell you that they will not be suitable for us," he said. But nuclear technologies have evolved since. Small modular reactors (SMRs) are thought to be more suitable for land-scarce, population-dense Singapore, as they have a lower power capacity, enhanced safety standards and require much smaller buffer zones, compared with conventional reactors. Dr Tan said: "We have not excluded that... because there is a lot of promise for some of the advanced modular reactors - the physics, the engineering, the technical feasibility, all point to the fact that they are possible, but it is just that commercially, they are still not viable yet." He also stressed that ensuring the safety of nuclear technologies is of "paramount importance" to the Government. While Dr Tan acknowledged that Singaporeans may still have certain perceptions about nuclear energy, he said the country still needs to press ahead in this area given the interest from some of its neighbours. Singapore has bilateral agreements with the United States and France to pursue cooperation on nuclear energy, which could better help in the country's evaluation of the viability. In July 2024, the Republic inked the 123 Agreement on Nuclear Cooperation with the US, which will allow Singapore to learn more about nuclear technologies and scientific research from American organisations. For example, local research institutes could work with US national laboratories and technology companies to perform safety simulations and modelling of SMRs. In May, Singapore and France signed agreements on nuclear energy to facilitate cooperation on safety, workforce development, research, environmental protection, the protection of public health, and emergency preparedness and response, among others. Dr Tan said that these partnerships will enable Singapore to learn more about the regulatory approvals, safety protocols, operations and engineering designs, among other things. The US tariffs are not likely to affect these agreements, he said. Dr Tan said that the learnings from the partnerships will help Singapore eventually make the assessment on whether to "jump in, or just stay at the capacity- and capability-building level". He added that Singapore is also open to exploring partnerships with other countries that have nuclear expertise, such as the United Arab Emirates, China and South Korea.
Business Insider
25-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
The next decade: What's next for Prime startups and Africa's tech future?
LAGOS, NIGERIA – July 14, 2025 – The electrifying energy of Lagos Startup Week (LSW) 2025, themed "DND – Disrupting the Next Decade," successfully concluded over the weekend, igniting critical conversations and showcasing the audacious spirit of African innovation. For Prime Startups, the driving force behind LSW, this 10th-anniversary celebration served not as a culmination, but as a powerful launchpad for defining the next decade of unprecedented growth, impact, and a truly global footprint for African tech. The opening of this milestone 10th edition was graced by the presence of the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, who delivered a compelling keynote address on "How Lagos Is Powering the Next Decade of African Innovation." Dr. Hamzat underscored the state government's commitment to fostering a vibrant tech ecosystem, stating, "Lagos is not just a city; it is a living laboratory for innovation. Our government is dedicated to creating the enabling environment, the policies, and the partnerships that will ensure Lagos remains the undeniable engine driving Africa's technological revolution for the next decade and beyond." His remarks set a powerful tone for the discussions, highlighting the crucial synergy between government support and entrepreneurial drive. Also present at this year's Lagos Startup Week were key enablers of the startup ecosystem, including the First Lady of Lagos State, Her Excellency, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu (ably represented by Oyinkan Osiyemi); Olatubosun Alake, Honourable Commissioner for Innovation, Science & Technology, Lagos State; Michel Deelen, Consular General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Lagos, Nigeria, Carlos Roja-Arbulu, the Deputy High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria; Peju Adebajo, Acting Board Chairman, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSEFT); Emmanuel Emefienem, MD/CEO of Premium Trust Bank; and Francis Sani O., Program Director of 3MTT Nigeria. They all shared valuable insights. The past decade has witnessed this vibrant hub transform, attracting substantial investment and fostering a dynamic ecosystem that punches above its weight on the global stage, including the emergence of several highly valued enterprises. Prime Startups laid the foundational infrastructure, turning scattered potential into a cohesive innovation pipeline, celebrating the growth of numerous successful ventures and championing impactful programs. "Our journey over the last ten years has been about more than just finding promising startups; it's about moulding them into resilient, market-leading companies," affirmed Olumide Olayinka, Partner at Prime Startups. "We get excited about the innovative idea, but we are passionate about the commercial success that follows because that's where true, sustainable impact lies. Every job created, every market expanded, every dollar raised is a powerful indicator of African entrepreneurship's potential and our unwavering commitment to helping it thrive." Looking ahead, Prime Startups' vision is clear: to deliberately cultivate a new generation of global growth companies that will redefine Africa's global standing. This audacious goal begins with deepening the innovation pipeline, nurturing diverse founders from their earliest stages, investing in foundational skills development, and strengthening university-to-startup bridges to catch the entrepreneurial spark the moment it ignites. Concurrently, Prime Startups will strategically focus on next-gen technologies, ensuring African founders are at the forefront of frontier areas like AI, blockchain, climate tech, biotech, and advanced manufacturing through specialised programs and expert guidance. This commitment extends to scaling with a purpose, intensifying efforts to ensure growth companies not only achieve commercial success but also create sustainable jobs, foster economic stability in their communities, and deliver profound social or environmental impact. Finally, the vision includes strengthening intra-African ecosystems, building robust bridges between Lagos and emerging tech hubs across the continent to facilitate cross-border investment, enable founder mobility, and foster a truly pan-African innovation network where ideas and talent flow freely. LSW 2025 served as a dynamic preview of this future, highlighting conversations on building resilient ventures and spotlighting pioneers already leading the charge. Prime Startups' enduring commitment remains to the next generation of founders, empowering them through expanded access to capital, enhanced mentorship, and practical training. Crucially, the next decade will accelerate the export of African innovation through global market access programs, showcasing African tech excellence, and fostering global partnerships. Strategic partners for this year's conference included Carbon Business, Presmit, Suregift, Paystack, Vesti, Indrive, GaraMart, Gigmile, Yamify, Arise Capital, Acktivate, AfriLabs, Ventures Platform, Kora, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), Gridcrux, among others. "The spark we saw ten years ago has ignited a fire, and now, it's time to direct that flame strategically," added Olayinka. "The next decade will be about unlocking the full, undeniable power of African ingenuity, taking our innovations from local brilliance to global leadership. We are building the infrastructure, nurturing the talent, and forging the partnerships to make that not just a possibility, but a certainty. Join us, because the future of global tech is being built in Africa, and Prime Startups is right there, at the heart of it."
Hans India
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Govt puts Kumurambheem Conservation Reserve proposal on hold
Hyderabad: The Govt puts Kumurambheem Conservation Reserve proposal on hold Government of Telangana has temporarily suspended the proposed Kumurambheem Conservation Reserve, pending further orders. This decision was communicated through a memo issued by the Environment, Forests, Science & Technology (EFS&T) Department on Monday. The conservation reserve was established to create a vital tiger corridor connecting the Kawal Tiger Reserve in Telangana with the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra. This initiative aims to enhance tiger conservation and improve habitat connectivity. It was officially notified through Government Order Ms. No. 49 on May 30, 2025. However, based on recommendations from the District Collector of Kumuram Bheem Asifabad, the EFS&T Department has decided to put this notification on hold. Ahmad Nadeem, Principal Secretary to the Government, issued the directive in response to concerns raised from the district, indicating that the state is reevaluating some operational and administrative implications of the corridor designation. It followed a letter from the Collector dated July 11, 2025, which likely outlined potential challenges related to land use, tribal rights, or ecological balance. However, on the other hand, conservation experts emphasised that while connectivity between protected areas is vital for maintaining healthy tiger populations, such proposals must also consider local socio-economic factors and encourage community engagement.
Hans India
17-07-2025
- Business
- Hans India
State to set up quantum task force, targets $20 bn economy by 2035
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government has announced plans to form a dedicated Task Force to steer the growth of the quantum technology sector, reaffirming its commitment to establishing the state as a national leader in quantum science and innovation. This move is part of a larger strategic vision to develop a $20 billion quantum economy by 2035. At a high-level consultation held at Vidhana Soudha on Tuesday, ministers overseeing the portfolios of Science & Technology, Industries, IT & BT, and Minor Irrigation met with senior executives from global tech companies and academic leaders to discuss Karnataka's roadmap in the quantum domain. Ministers N.S. Boseraju (Science & Technology), M.B. Patil (Industries), and Priyank Kharge (IT & BT) addressed the gathering, assuring comprehensive support — including land allocation, infrastructure, and policy backing — to foster a thriving quantum ecosystem. 'Karnataka is uniquely positioned to lead India's quantum revolution, given its world-class institutions, skilled talent pool, and forward-looking industrial base,' said Minister Boseraju. 'We will consult the Chief Minister to form a Task Force to guide this effort.' Industries Minister M.B. Patil reiterated the government's readiness to facilitate industry demands swiftly, while IT&BT Minister Priyank Kharge stressed the importance of skill development and deep-tech collaboration. The meeting was attended by representatives from IBM, AWS, Infosys, L&T, XeedQ, QpiAI, IISc, JNCASR, IIIT Dharwad and others. Vision Group Chairman Kris Gopalakrishnan and government officials, including Principal Secretaries and Commissioners, were also present. The upcoming Quantum India Conclave, scheduled for July 31 and August 1, will mark the first major event under Karnataka's emerging quantum mission.
