Chris Infotainment

A Nationwide Initiative to Empower Nigerian Innovators The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has launched a bold initiative called InnovateNaija, a nationwide innovation challenge that offers a total of ?250 million in funding. The goal is to identify and support young Nigerian innovators who are working on creative solutions to local challenges. This program aims to spark excitement and online engagement by encouraging participants to showcase their inventions or ideas through video submissions. The competition will provide not only financial support but also mentorship and exposure to innovators across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The overall winner will receive ?100 million to scale their solution, making it one of the most significant prizes in Nigeria’s innovation landscape. The challenge is designed to ignite creativity and generate vibrant energy within the country's innovation ecosystem, using social media to cre...

Innovative Mine Clearance Vehicle Unveiled in Thailand A groundbreaking prototype vehicle designed for mine clearance in complex terrains has been introduced by the Thai government's National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA). This innovative machine is set to enhance national defense operations, particularly in high-risk border areas where landmines pose a significant threat. The unveiling took place when members of Class 67 of the National Defence College of Thailand (NDC) handed over the modified excavator to Lt Gen Sirapop Supawanich, chief of the Royal Thai Army's Engineer Department. The vehicle was developed to neutralize PMN-2 anti-personnel mines, which have long been a danger for soldiers patrolling the Thai-Cambodian border. Maj Gen Sadet Akachak, president of NDC Class 67, highlighted the risks faced by Thai soldiers due to these mines, which have caused severe injuries, including limb loss. To address this critical issue, NDC members collaborated...

Minister Expresses Support for STICOMMS 2025 Conference The Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, has shown strong support for the upcoming 1st National Conference on Science, Technology, and Innovation Communication (STICOMMS 2025). He described the event as a unique and first-of-its-kind conference that holds significant importance for the nation's development. The minister emphasized that his ministry is committed to collaborating with the organizers to ensure the success of the conference. Chief Nnaji assured the organizers—African University of Science and Technology (AUST) and its partners, led by AUST President Prof. Azikiwe Peter Onwualu, FAS, and the STICOMMS’25 local organizing committee (LOC)—that the Ministry will work closely with them to achieve the conference’s objectives. He noted that the timing of the event aligns well with the ministry's ongoing efforts to promote research and innovation outputs from various research a...

The Urgency of Investing in Science for African Development In the face of geopolitical fragmentation, tightening aid budgets, and global systemic shocks such as the COVID-19 pandemic, African leaders can no longer ignore the need to invest in science. As global partnerships weaken and funding dries up, African governments face a stark choice: remain dependent on external knowledge or build their own scientific ecosystems to drive development. This presents an opportunity. African countries can boost basic scientific impact not by spending more, but by spending smarter. The key is not just how much is invested in science, but how it is invested, where, and whether it aligns with national development priorities and long-term resilience goals. A Shrinking Global Support System African countries are witnessing the collapse of long-standing avenues of collaborative research and funding. This is demonstrated by US threats to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Unit...

Introduction to the New Satellite-Based System In a significant move towards modernizing agricultural data collection, a new satellite-based system is set to launch next year. This initiative aims to provide accurate and reliable figures on crop cultivation, particularly for Punjab's cotton production. The project seeks to resolve long-standing disputes over production data and enhance transparency in the agricultural sector. By leveraging advanced technology, the system will support informed decision-making and guide future planning related to imports, exports, and agricultural policies. Collaboration and Objectives The project will be overseen by the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) in collaboration with China and the Land Information and Management System (LIMS). LIMS was established in 2023 with the goal of modernizing farming practices. This partnership highlights the importance of international cooperation in addressing agricultural challenges and improving d...

China Launches Two Investigations Against U.S. Semiconductor Sector In a significant development, China has initiated two separate investigations targeting the U.S. semiconductor industry, signaling heightened tensions between the two global economic powers. These moves come ahead of critical trade discussions set to take place in Spain, focusing on trade relations, national security, and the ownership of TikTok. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced an anti-dumping probe into certain analog integrated circuits (ICs) imported from the United States. This includes commodity interface IC chips and gate driver IC chips, which are commonly manufactured by leading U.S. companies such as Texas Instruments and ON Semiconductor. The investigation is part of broader efforts to address what China perceives as unfair trade practices by American firms. In addition to the anti-dumping probe, the ministry also launched an anti-discrimination investigation into U.S. actions that have impacted...

Thailand Lab International 2025: A New Era for Innovation and Collaboration Thailand is making significant strides in establishing itself as a leading regional hub for science, biotechnology, and innovation. This vision is being realized through the return of Thailand Lab International 2025, an event set to take place at Bitec Hall 102-104 on Bang Na-Trat Road from Wednesday to Friday. The event promises to be a major platform for showcasing cutting-edge advancements and fostering collaboration across multiple sectors. Organized by VNU Asia Pacific, the event receives support from various government agencies and industry associations. The 15th edition of Thailand Lab International will bring together three key components: BioAP International, FutureChem International, and the newly introduced Health and Innovation Asia. Together, these initiatives aim to create a comprehensive innovation ecosystem that connects science, healthcare, and future food solutions. The event is not just ab...

NASENI's Vision for Technological Advancement and Economic Growth Abuja Technology Village (ATV) stands as a beacon of innovation, offering state-of-the-art infrastructure and a supportive environment that attracts both local and international companies, research institutions, and tech entrepreneurs. The village focuses on key sectors such as Information and Communication Technology, Biotechnology, Minerals Technology, and Energy Technology. By facilitating collaboration, innovation, and growth, ATV aims to drive economic development, create employment opportunities, and position Nigeria as a leader in the global technology landscape. The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, has emphasized the agency’s commitment to transforming its site at Abuja Technology Village into a fully-fledged manufacturing hub. He stated that NASENI will work with both local and foreign...

China Launches Anti-Dumping and Anti-Discrimination Investigations Against U.S. Semiconductor Exports China has initiated two major investigations targeting U.S.-made analog chips, marking a significant step in its response to recent trade restrictions imposed by the United States. The move comes as part of a broader strategy to counter what Beijing perceives as unfair treatment of its semiconductor industry. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced on July 13 that it had accepted an application from the Jiangsu Semiconductor Industry Association, representing domestic analog chip manufacturers, to launch an anti-dumping investigation. This formal process began after a preliminary review confirmed the validity of the application. The investigation will focus on general-purpose interface chips manufactured using processes of 40 nanometers (nm) or larger, which are imported from the U.S. These chips are essential components in various electronic devices, handling continuous analog si...

The Impact of AI Downtime on Developers and Businesses When Anthropic’s AI chatbot “Claude” experienced a temporary malfunction, it created a significant disruption for developers who have increasingly relied on AI tools for their daily tasks. This incident highlighted the growing dependence on artificial intelligence in the tech industry, with some developers expressing frustration that it felt like they were "returning to the primitive era." According to reports from foreign media, the outage occurred around 12:20 p.m. local time on the 10th. At that time, both the Claude AI, its API (Application Programming Interface), and the developer console stopped functioning. This disruption took place during peak usage hours, causing thousands of developers and corporate users to be unable to access the service. Anthropic quickly acknowledged the issue just eight minutes after the outage began, stating that the API was interrupted for only a short period and that the service was r...

OpenAI and Microsoft: A Shift in Profit-Sharing Dynamics OpenAI, the company behind the widely recognized AI chatbot ChatGPT, is reportedly considering a significant reduction in its future profit-sharing agreement with Microsoft. This change could see the current 20% profit-sharing ratio drop to around 8% by 2030, according to recent reports. This potential shift marks a major development in the relationship between two of the most influential players in the tech industry. Microsoft has long been a key partner for OpenAI. Since 2019, it has been the company's largest initial investor, pouring over $13 billion into the startup. This investment has allowed OpenAI to leverage Microsoft’s extensive computing infrastructure for developing its AI models and delivering services. In return, a portion of OpenAI’s profits was shared with Microsoft through the profit-sharing agreement. However, OpenAI appears to be diversifying its reliance on cloud infrastructure. The company is now expl...

Swiss watch brand Swatch has released a limited-edition watch satirizing the tariff bomb imposed by the U.S. government under Donald Trump. According to Reuters and others on the 12th, Swatch launched a limited-edition product named "‘What If…Tariffs?’" on the 10th. The watch features a beige-colored strap and a blue dial. What’s unusual is that the numbers 3 and 9 on the dial are swapped. Where the number 3 should be, a 9 is placed, and where the 9 should be, a 3 is placed. This product was intentionally designed by Swatch to evoke the 39% tariff imposed by the Trump administration on Switzerland. The price is 139 Swiss francs, approximately 240,000 Korean won, and it is reported to be sold for a short period only in Switzerland. A Swatch spokesperson stated, "This product was created with intentional satire," and added that it also conveys a warning message to the Swiss government. Swatch did not disclose specific sales figures for the product. However, they state...

Perhaps the greatest empowerment tools for overcoming inequality and freeing the world’s marginalised people from poverty are literacy and knowledge. Knowledge improves lives. Literacy enables access to that knowledge, and it is now acknowledged by Unesco as a fundamental human right that opens the door to other human rights and freedoms. Literacy exposes people to insights, skills and progressive values. These can, in turn, build an understanding of equality, the rule of law, diversity and global harmony. As we recently commemorated International Literacy Day and continue to elevate the need for reading, engaging and acquiring knowledge, it’s worth understanding that the meaning of literacy has evolved in recent times. Digitalisation has changed the way we consume knowledge, and it is now a core component of literacy itself. Bridging the digital divide and connecting more people through digital content and infrastructure is now a part of spreading literacy. Literacy in the digital er...

Advancing AI Education and Research at Ardhi University Ardhi University (ARU) has taken a major step forward in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) education and research with the installation of newly acquired AI servers. This initiative is part of the Applied Human-Machine Intelligence in East Africa (AHUMAIN) project, which is supported by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union. The project aims to enhance AI capabilities across the region through collaboration and innovation. Dr. Godfrey Luwemba, Head of the Department of Computer Systems and Mathematics (CSM), highlighted the importance of this development during an interview. He explained that the technical setup was completed in partnership with the Research and Education Network for Uganda (RENU), working closely with ARU staff. According to Dr. Luwemba, these AI servers will significantly transform how students are trained and how research is conducted at the university. The infrastructure supports ARU’s newly ...

The Challenge of Intellectual Property in African Universities African universities are facing a growing challenge in the realm of research and innovation, primarily due to weak intellectual property (IP) systems. Experts have highlighted that these deficiencies make their discoveries susceptible to exploitation, which undermines the continent's research potential. This issue was brought to light during the 3rd Annual African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) Distinguished Public Lecture, held at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) on Tuesday. The lecture serves as a vital platform for scholars to engage with society on critical developmental issues, emphasizing the urgent need for institutions to re-evaluate how they manage knowledge and innovation. Prof Saudin Jacob Mwakaje, from the UDSM School of Law, delivered the lecture and stressed that intellectual property rights (IPR) should be central to the research management strategies of African universities. He warned tha...

Introduction to the University Collaboration Program The Seoul Design Foundation's 'University Collaboration Program' has officially launched as part of the DDP Design Fair. The initiative kicked off on the 1st with a visit to the LG Design Management Center in Magok, Seoul. This program is designed to foster collaboration between academic institutions and industry leaders, offering students hands-on experience in real-world design scenarios. Key Activities and Insights Gained On the 5th, the foundation shared details about the program, stating that nineteen university teams of young designers participated in an industry-academic cooperation initiative. These students visited the LG Design Management Center in Magok, Seoul, on the 1st to engage in practical training focused on real-world applications. The program included a tour of the LG Electronics Gallery, an introduction to the design management center, and lectures by in-house designers. Through these activities, s...

Historical Landmark Undergoes Modernization Sri Lanka is taking significant steps to preserve and enhance one of its iconic scientific landmarks. The Cabinet of Ministers has recently given the green light for the renovation and modernization of the Sri Lanka Planetarium. This decision came after a proposal was submitted by the Minister of Science and Technology, marking a crucial milestone in the facility’s long history. The Planetarium, originally designed and constructed by Dr. A.N.S. Kulasinghe, was conceived as a key attraction for the Industrial Exhibition held in 1965. Over the decades, it has played an essential role in promoting science education and public engagement with astronomy and space exploration. However, the structure has now begun to show signs of wear and tear, with both its physical infrastructure and technical systems becoming outdated. The modernization plan aims to bring the Planetarium up to contemporary standards while ensuring that its unique architectura...

Moroccan Teams Competing at WRO Open Europe 2025 Two Moroccan teams have made it to the international stage after qualifying at the national tournament of the World Robot Olympiad (WRO) on May 31 in Casablanca. These teams are now representing Morocco at the WRO Open Europe competition, which will take place from September 2 to 5, 2025, in Ljubljana, Slovenia. This event brings together top educational robotics teams from around the world to showcase their skills and compete in technological and scientific challenges. Astrominds: Innovating for the Elderly One of the teams, Astrominds, comes from a public institution and consists of two to three students along with a coach. They are participating in the Future Innovators Senior category, which is open to participants aged 14 to 19. The challenge for this category is to develop an innovative robotic solution that addresses a real-world problem aligned with the annual theme. Participants in this category have the freedom to use any t...

AASTU Achieves ABET Accreditation, Enhancing Global Competitiveness Addis Ababa Science and Technology University (AASTU) has made a significant achievement by receiving ABET accreditation for its Applied and Natural Science programs. This recognition highlights the university's commitment to meeting global educational standards and ensures that its graduates are well-equipped to compete on an international level. The accreditation was announced by AASTU President Dereje Engida (PhD), who emphasized that this milestone represents a major step forward for the institution. He highlighted that the process of obtaining accreditation involved a rigorous evaluation, which affirmed the quality of education offered at AASTU. The president stated that this achievement not only enhances the university’s reputation but also reinforces its mission to produce graduates who can contribute both locally and globally through innovation and expertise. According to Dereje, several departments with...

Expanding Opportunities Through Digital Skills A significant event took place at the Sir Shahnawaz Bhutto Auditorium of Sindh Madressatul Islam University (SMIU), where a certificate distribution ceremony was held for the Google Career Certificate Program. This initiative, supported by the Government of Sindh, Google, Google for Education, and Tech Valley Pakistan, marked an important milestone in the digital education journey of students across the province. Out of 300 students who successfully completed the program, 130 were present to receive their Google Career Certificates from Paul Hutchings, Regional Head of Greater Asia for Google for Education. The ceremony was attended by several notable figures, including Noor Ahmed Samo, Secretary Information, Science and Technology of Sindh, Dr. Mujeeb Sahrai, Vice Chancellor of SMIU, and other key stakeholders from the technology and education sectors. A Vision for Digital Empowerment Noor Ahmed Samo, the I.T. Secretary, emphasized th...