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Future Africa-hosted Lancet Countdown Africa explores the cost of heat on birth outcomes

The Lancet Countdown Africa Regional Centre, hosted at Future Africa at the University of Pretoria, partnered with Wits Planetary Health Research to convene a discussion on the health and economic impacts of heat exposure on birth outcomes in Africa, and how evidence can inform policy, investment and climate adaptation.

Celebrating the Rich Heritage of Africa

Celebrating the Rich Heritage of Africa: Future Africa Week Kicks Off at the University of Pretoria

Pretoria, South Africa - Future Africa Week, a highly anticipated event aimed at celebrating the vibrant cultures and achievements of the African continent, has commenced with great enthusiasm at the University of Pretoria. The week-long festival, organized by the university's esteemed research hub, FutureArica, promises an immersive experience that showcases the diverse traditions, innovative res... ted its five year anniversary on 24 May 2024, highlighting its role as a pan-African research platform with Africa at its core. Highlighting contributions from global and local academics, the event was also a joint celebration to pay tribute and honour Professor Ernest Aryeetey and his work with the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA).
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Families in Africa: Demographic Trends and Families

The United Nations 1993 set aside 15 May yearly as an international day for commemorating families. This day provides an opportunity to promote awareness of families’ issues and increase the knowledge of the social, economic and demographic processes affecting families. Families exist everywhere in the world to bear and rear children, to care for and protect vulnerable members during childhood, ...
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Strategic Ways to Improve Climate Services in Ghana

Climate change in Ghana has caused crop failures leading to yield reduction and food insecurity in the region. Most vulnerable to this variability and change in climate are smallholder farmers.
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Return on Education Investments

Most PhD graduates in Cameroon are unemployed, yet the demand for a PhD continuously increases. Given that education is a powerful instrument for the economic development of every country, there is a need to consider education as an instrument of monetary policy to ensure that resources devoted to education yield expected returns. Applying financial concepts in education enables policymakers to be...
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ADAPT | Extreme Heat in the Classroom

In close collaboration with diverse stakeholders, a transdisciplinary team from civil and architectural engineering, the social sciences and climate sciences are developing indicators of how extreme temperature and humidity impact low-income residents' physical and mental health. FAR-LeaF Fellow Dr Ebenezer Amankwaa has since January 2023 been disseminating preliminary findings of his research res...
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Towards Securing Water Resources for Sustainability

Water resources significantly influence Malawi’s socioeconomic development. As an agro-based economy, the agriculture sector relies on the availability of water resources, either as rainfall, river flows or groundwater, to support crop and animal production.
Dr Brighton Chunga

Outstanding Performance | Dr Brighton Chunga

Dr Brighton Chunga of Mzuzu University in Malawi is a key researcher for the NORHED II project implemented by Mzuzu University, the University of Malawi, the University of Dar-es-Salaam (Tanzania), and the University of Oslo (Norway).
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Countering Islamophobia Through Peace Messaging and Media Literacy

Islam originated from the word Salam which means peace and carries the symbolic meaning of surrender – surrendering to the will of God. A Muslim embraces Islam, the religion of Peace, with guidance from the holy book of Al-Qur'an and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad – Peace be upon Him. Violence and cruelty are not in the spirit of Islam, nor are they found in the lives of faithful Muslims.
Nanotechnology with BESSY II

Nanotechnology with BESSY II

Advances in various fields, including biomedicine, electronics, optoelectronics, energy conversion and storage, are fuelled by nanotechnology. However, there is neither a synchrotron facility in Africa nor many users of BESSY II in Africa. Dr Tabitha Amollo, leader of the materials physics group of Egerton University in Kenya, is changing that.
Resource for Household Food Security

Resource for Household Food Security

The 2023 International Women’s Day (IWD) theme highlights efforts to embrace equity. It is a day set aside to draw attention to women's strides and accelerate efforts towards inclusiveness, creating a level playing field for all genders to ultimately benefit the world.
Empowerment for Women

Inclusive Economic Empowerment for Women

On International Women’s Day, we celebrate the remarkable achievements of women across the globe and recognise the importance of promoting gender equality. In the Kenyan context, women are crucial contributors to the agricultural value chain. Digitalization offers an opportunity to encourage inclusivity and economic empowerment for women while integrating sustainability, employability, and clima...
Equality Through Financial Literacy

Financial Muscle | Equality Through Financial Literacy

In Africa, women still need to learn financial literacy skills related to savings, entrepreneurship, record-keeping, budgeting and investment. Financial literacy leadership training programs for rural women provide the skills required for a better standard of living – a life with financial muscle.

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