Commonwealth: Researchers, Scientists Exhibit Discoveries

Emmanuel KENDEMEH| 11/03/2010|Cameroun Tribune |

The science and technology exhibitions started at the Yaounde National Advanced School of Engineering yesterday.

The heart beat of activities of the ongoing 2010 Commonwealth Week in Cameroon yesterday, March 10 moved to the Yaounde National Advanced School of Engineering (Polytechnique) where researchers and scientists from State and private institutions showcased the key role of science and technology in the development of the society.

The Minister Delegate at the Ministry of External Relations in charge of the Commonwealth, Joseph Dion Ngute, accompanied by the British High Commissioner to Cameroon, Bharat Suresh Joshi and the Canadian High Commissioner, Jean-Carol Pelletier, officially opened the exhibitions. Dion Ngute and the officials moved round all the exhibition stands and got explanations on the new discoveries. They discovered experts from the Ministry of Youth Affairs manufacturing sporting material from local materials like hides and skin, building materials produced by the Local Materials Promotion Authority (MIPROMALO), transformation of local food products and improved species of maize, coffee, cocoa and some fruits trees by the Institute of Agricultural Research and Development (IRAD). Other institutions through the exhibitions showcased discoveries in the manufacture of drugs from herbs, processing of food products, while the students of the National Advanced School of Engineering exhibited the intensive training in projects management.

The exhibitions at the National Advanced School of Engineering, Dion Ngute said, tied with 2010 Commonwealth Week celebration theme, “Science, technology and society”. Talking as he officially opened the science and technology exhibition, the Minister said the missions of the National Advanced School of Engineering directly reflected the theme and expressed gratitude to the school authorities for its graduates have been able to use the technological skills acquired to develop the Cameroonian society. He said the new information and communication technologies had greatly facilitated studies, stating that the Commonwealth was involved in connecting Cameroonian researchers to medical services abroad.

The Director of the National Advanced School of Engineering, Awono Onana presented the school and said its missions perfectly fitted the theme of the 2010 Commonwealth Week in Cameroon. He called for Commonwealth assistance to the school to better carry out its mission of transforming the society through science and technology. The exhibitions will end today with the selection of winners by a jury. A round table conference on the theme of the Commonwealth Week also took place at the Yaounde National Advanced School of Engineering.