When Africa's heads of state met in January for the 8th African Union Summit, science, technology and sustainable development were the main topics of discussion. There is also increasing interest among developed countries to support scientific and technological capacity building in low-income countries, especially in Africa. The challenge lies in turning this heartfelt interest into sustainable initiatives and real progress. Every African nation must educate and support a new generation of problem-solving scientists. This means reforming educational systems and building world-class research universities and centers of excellence. Lasting success will ultimately be determined not only by aid from abroad, but by strong and enduring partnerships in science and technology between Africa and the rest of the world. Article here.

For the poorest developing countries, 'outsourcing' the development and assessment of technology and innovation has been economically catastrophic. Policies designed to alleviate poverty and to create wealth have also suffered as a result. Fortunately, developing countries are now changing course and seeking to build their own scientific and technological capabilities. Drawing on their own growing expertise, an increasing number of 'scientifically proficient' developing countries are forging scientific links with developed countries that represent true collaborations among equal parties. Joint ventures are beginning to be more about business than benevolence. Universities across the developing world must play a central role in technology transfer. They provide valuable settings for educating and training scientists, economic development specialists and political officials; they produce unbiased information; and they offer forums for international exchange. Article here.