ELFT HÍRADÓ

[Zimányiné Horváth Vera <Vera.Horvath AT eli-alps.hu>]

Előadó:               Marielle Agbahoungbata (X-TechLab, Benin)
Cím:                    Development of “large research facilities” models in 
Africa: X-TechLab experience from Benin

Időpont:             szeptember 25., 9 óra
Helyszín:            ELI ALPS konferenciaterme (Szeged, Wolfgang Sandner utca 
3.)

Absztrakt:
With a population of over 1.5 billion, Africa represents today 18% of world 
population. About 60% of Africa's total population is under the age of 25, 
making it the youngest continent in terms of population structure globally. 
It is also the region of the world where the population is growing the 
fastest, so much that in 2050 Africans will represent 25% of world 
population. However, Africa only accounts for 2.8% of global GDP, and 
projections are hardly promising, since by 2050, Africa will only represent 
7% of global GDP. This demographic growth in the context of economic weakness 
could be a ticking time bomb if nothing is done to change the situation. 
Meeting this challenge inevitably involves capacity building of human 
resources as well as the development of scientific infrastructures to support 
R&D activities; Especially since the continent suffers from a severe deficit 
of engineers and scientists* and relies heavily on imported expertise. 
According to UNESCO’s second engineering report, Africa continues to have the 
lowest number of engineering professionals per capita of all regions of the 
world**. Hence, developing inclusive high-tech education and research 
facilities is an efficient way to bridge the gap. That is the purpose of the 
X-TechLab.
The X-ray Techniques Laboratory (X-TechLab) is a regional training platform, 
established within Sèmè City hub in Benin, that aims to provide the 
scientific communities with skills and tools to use X-ray techniques 
(diffraction, spectroscopy, imaging) for developing innovative solutions to 
critical issues in Africa. The goals are to: 1) provide hands-on experience 
with the use of cutting-edge X-ray equipment, 2) develop X-ray-based 
problem-solving skills targeting specific socioeconomic issues, 3) meet the 
requirement for Feeder Facilities that allow the preparation of samples to be 
studied at world advanced light sources and 4) contribute to the emergence of 
a community of experts who will be active users of the future African 
Synchrotron.
Started in 2019, X-TechLab has trained more than 200 scientists (Engineers, 
PhD students, Postdocs, etc.) from 16 African countries and supported several 
research projects targeting Sustainable Development Goals. The purpose of 
this talk is to show how X-TechLab is becoming a kind of “large research 
facilities” in West Africa region, thanks to its methodology involving 
international organizations, specifics partners, various user communities, 
renown experts, and Advanced light sources facilities that, we hope, ELI ALPS 
will soon be a part of.

A szeminárium angol nyelvű. Minden érdeklődőt szívesen látunk, és a 
szeminárium az alábbi link használatával online is meghallgatható:
https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_N2ZkMzk3NjgtNDQ3OS00NGVhLTk5OTUtYTg4Zjk5YjEyYTg4%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22b207389a-c5cb-4cb0-a1ad-227b94e96448%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22c993efcb-59ae-4652-9f68-d7a313727128%22%7d)

Üdvözlettel:

ZIMÁNYINÉ HORVÁTH Vera
Látogatóközpont-vezető
Tel: +36 70 491 14 12
Email: vera.horvath AT eli-alps.hu<mailto:vera.horvath AT eli-alps.hu>

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