can we foster technical competence in the wider african
TRANSCRIPT
Can we foster technical competence in the wider African scenario?
Sep 2009
2006
Sep 2009
Dr Wynand Louw
Acting CEO
Outline of TalkOutline of Talk
� the AFRIMETS history in brief
� the AFRIMETS structure
� the members
� the technical competencies in the sub regions
� how to foster technical competence?� how to foster technical competence?
� snapshot of the future
The ancient Egyptians were well known for their Measurement
capabilities
Africa, the birthplace of Accurate MeasurementAfrica, the birthplace of Accurate Measurement
A fragment of a schist cubit-rod
The Royal Cubit of the
New Kingdom: 52,4 cm
long
Length
2006
A fragment of a schist cubit-rod
Mass
The Deben, 12 g, 27 g,
93,3 g
Predynastic (5,000
to 7,000 years ago)
Stone mass std
the impact of AFRIMETS on
Intra-African trade
� African countries achievement of independence since the
1950s brought high socio-economic expectations
� The prospects were optimistic because Africans controlled
their own political destiny
Africa, Measurement todayAfrica, Measurement today
So where does Africa rate today on Measurement capabilities?
2006
their own political destiny
� The economic boom in the 1960s strengthened this
optimism with an increased demand for raw materials*
*N. Boaduo, The Journal of Pan African Studies, vol.2, no. 4, June 2008)
the impact of AFRIMETS on
Intra-African trade
‘…to establish a society in which men and
women will have no anxiety about
work, food and shelter, where poverty
and illiteracy no longer exist, and where
2006
disease is brought under control and
where our education facilities provide
our children with the best possible
opportunities for learning’
(Nkrumah, 1967:52-53)
the impact of AFRIMETS on
Intra-African trade
� Unfortunately this optimism gradually evaporated
� From the 1970s, most of the African social and economic
development initiatives were grounded to a complete halt
(Coetzee et al 2001; Eze, 1997; Coetzee (ed))
� Throughout the continent economies experienced
continual crisis characterised by stagnation, rising foreign
2006
continual crisis characterised by stagnation, rising foreign
debts and increased unemployment
� To date, the search for industrial, economic and social
development paths continue to elude African
Governments
� End of the colonial period: Skills withdrawal
� Academic institutions became “Africa focused” and during civil wars (and the cold war), lost touch with the outside world
� Many Scientists (and metrologists) that studied overseas did not return to Africa
� The best graduates frequently leave for more lucrative opportunities in the developed world
Science in AfricaScience in Africa
2006
opportunities in the developed world
� The “lost scientific generation”
� Severe knock-on effect on “specialist positions” such as metrologists
� In 2005, only two nations in Africa were officially participating in the international metrology system
Membership of the BIPMMembership of the BIPM
BIPM
51 Full Members
(excl. Iran and Cameroon)
2006
-- 195 countries in the world195 countries in the world
-- 54 countries in Africa, or 28% of world54 countries in Africa, or 28% of world
-- 4% Members of the BIPM4% Members of the BIPM
SIM9
the impact of AFRIMETS on
Intra-African trade
Is a renaissance looming?
The trillion dollar (Zim) Question is…
2006
The role of AFRIMETS
� Pan African organisations; AU, NEPAD
� Regional economic groupings; COMESA, ECOWAS, SADC, UEMOA,
EAC, CEMAC
� Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM)
� Regional Metrology Organisations; APMP, SIM, EUROMET
� African sub-regional metrology organisations: EAMET, MAGMET,
the birth of AFRIMETS, 2006the birth of AFRIMETS, 2006--20072007
2006
� African sub-regional metrology organisations: EAMET, MAGMET,
SADCMET
� Individual NMIs; CSIR NML, BOBS, KEBS, NIS, SON
� Legal Metrology organisations; SADCMEL, ONML
� Other organisations; SADCA, SADCSTAN, the dti, ARSO, the African
Committee of Metrology, the NLA
� The Network of Users of Scientific Equipment in Eastern & Southern
Africa (NUSESA)
� an umbrella organisation for sub-regional metrology groupings;
� share experiences and technical infrastructures
� transparency;
� promote an equal partnerships between organisations and disciplines in metrology;
� respect national autonomies;
the guiding principles of AFRIMETSthe guiding principles of AFRIMETS
2006
� respect national autonomies;
� commit to the development of metrology;
� Brotherliness, solidarity and mutual assistance;
� Inclusiveness;
� common approaches / positions;
� excellence;
� Increased recognition of African metrology competence.
� The Guiding Principles formed the basis for the MoU
� The Inaugural General Assembly meeting of AFRIMETS was
held at the premises of NEPAD, South Africa 1-2 July 2007
� the MoU was finalised,
� the first Chair, Vice-chairs and Executive committee
The Memorandum of UnderstandingThe Memorandum of Understanding
2006
� the first Chair, Vice-chairs and Executive committee
members were elected
� Finally, 5 sub regions and two individual institutes/countries
signed the MoU
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Principal MemberSub-regional African Metrology Organisation
Ordinary MemberAfrican NMIs and LMOs not full members of a SRMO
Associate MemberNMIs and LMs outside Africa, DIs and other organisations involved in metrology in Africa
Observers
Other Organisations interested in metrology
Voting: 2x Member States
Voting: 1x Member Vote Voting: none
Voting: none
Sc & Ind Metrology
Legal Metrology
The Structure of AFRIMETSThe Structure of AFRIMETS
2006
CHAIRPERSON
• Vice Chairperson representing Industrial Metrology• Vice Chairperson representing Legal Metrology• NEPAD Secretariat• AFRIMETS Secretariat• Elected delegates to represent Legal and S&I for
each SRMO
AFRIMETS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEESECRETARIATSECRETARIAT SUB-
COMMITTEES
CEMACMET Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Republic
of the Congo
EAMET Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi
MAGMET Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Mauritania
SADCMET-
MEL
Angola, Botswana, DRC, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique,
Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Seychelles
the members (2009)the members (2009)
2006
SOAMET Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Togo, Côte
d‘Ivoire
NEWMET Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Libya, Nigeria, Sudan
Associate Member (6) � LNE, France
� PTB, Germany
� NIRPS (National Institute of
Radiation Protection and Research, Nigeria)
� Madagascar-INSTN, Tanzania-TAEC, Ghana Radiation
Protection Institute
Observer (3) � EURAMET
the membersthe members
2006
Observer (3) � EURAMET
� CAFMET (Comité Africain de Métrologie)
� Arab Federation of Metrology
• AFRIMETS was officially accepted as the RMO for Africa by the CIPM in October 2008.
AFRIMETS as RMOAFRIMETS as RMO
1999-2008 (SADCMET)
2008-
(AFRIMETS)
2006
TC 1A CIPM, BIPM, JCRB Issues J. Kioko, S. Kajane, W. Louw
TC 1B OIML Issues S. Carstens, S. Issoufou
TC 2A Scientific Metrology Education M. Berrada, M. Rabolinyane, M. Masuku
TC 2B Legal Metrology Education M-B. Hassine, K. Temba
the structure the structure –– Technical CommitteesTechnical Committees
2006
TC 3 Metrology Infrastructure D. Zabo, V. Kanama, W.Louw
TC 4A Metrology Legislation Harmonization
N.Malaga, E. Mvula. D.Masuku
TC 4B Metrology Legislation Harmonization
M-B. Hassine, K. Temba
TC 5 Metrology Awareness G. Albasini, V. Kanama and the Secretariat
Mass and Related Quantities B. vd Merwe
Flow D. Ondoro
Pressure C. Korasie
Force, Torque and Hardness B. Burke
Dimensional (Length) O. Kruger
AUV I. Veldman
the structure the structure –– Working GroupsWorking Groups
2006
AUV I. Veldman
Temperature H. Liedberg
Time and Frequency C. Matthee
Photometry and Radiometry N. Nel-Sakharova, H. Eissa
Ionising Radiation Z. Msimang
Radioactivity Standards F. Van Wyngaardt
DC-LF (Voltage) A. Matlejoane
Metrology in Chemistry S. Prins
-CMC level SA, Kenya, Egypt
the structure the structure –– Working GroupsWorking Groups
2006
-Accredited level Tanzania
-Developing level Uganda, Côte d‘Ivoire
Quality WG A. El Sayed
Current SituationCurrent Situation
� AFRIMETS structures are in place� Work Programme for 2009 includes:
� 5 AFRIMETS comparisons� 2 regional Proficiency Testing schemes� Legal Metrology work and action plan
2006
� Legal Metrology work and action plan� Fund raising activities� Sub regional metrology workshops
� WG meetings (Mass, Length, IR, Temp, P&R, MIC, LM) held in SA in July 2009
� 3rd General Assembly meeting held in SA in July 2009
The Consultative CommitteesThe Consultative Committees
NMISA,NIS: Full membership of 9 of the 10NMISA,NIS: Full membership of 9 of the 10
Consultative committees (10)Consultative committees (10) StatusStatus
Consultative Committee for Acoustics, Ultrasound and Vibration (CCAUV) Full member
Consultative Committee for Electricity and Magnetism (CCEM) Full member
Consultative Committee for Length (CCL) Full member
Consultative Committee for Mass and Related Quantities (CCM) Full member
Consultative Committee for Photometry and Radiometry (CCPR)(Chairmanship)
Full member
2006
(Chairmanship)
Consultative Committee for Amount of Substance (CCQM) Full member
Consultative Committee for Ionizing Radiation (CCRI)Section ISection II (Chairmanship)Section III
ObserverFull MemberNone
Consultative Committee for Thermometry (CCT) Full member
Consultative Committee for Time and Frequency (CCTF) Full member
latest happeningslatest happenings
� The AFRIMETS Quality system review document was
accepted by the JCRB, March 2009
� PTB committed to further assist the secretariat and
meetings
2006
meetings
� UNIDO Assistance project, €623 000
� Roadmap
� Training-Summer School
� Train a pool of technical assessors
� Comparisons and PT schemes
The Greater Role of AFRIMETS in AfricaThe Greater Role of AFRIMETS in Africa
� In addition to measurement equivalence and harmonisation
of Legal Metrology activities
� Liaison with the AU/NEPAD
� Liaison with other RMOs and especially a GULF Metrology
programme
2006
programme
� Establishment of Metrology Infrastructure
� Coordination of donor funding
The Greater Role of AFRIMETS in AfricaThe Greater Role of AFRIMETS in Africa
� Awareness creation
� Identify Measurement gaps
� Regional Measurement institutes?
� Harmonisation between SRMOs
2006
� Harmonisation between SRMOs
� Metrology Training
the Technical Competencies in the the Technical Competencies in the
subsub--regionsregions
� Africa’s economy relies on agriculture, mining and oil
� Cocoa products, coffee, sesame, cassava, nuts, honey, cotton, fruits and vegetables, spices, flowers and plants, wood, essential oils, seafood and gastropods
� minerals/metals -gold, platinum, diamonds, copper, coal
2006
copper, coal
� Oil and natural gas
� Limited manufacturing (SA)
*www.export-forum.com/Africa
EAMET Technical InfrastructureEAMET Technical Infrastructure
Kenya� Kenya has a well established Standards and Metrology
body (KEBS), Legal Metrology (WMD) and Accreditation body (KENAS)
� KEBS associate member of the CGPM� Most laboratories accredited to ISO 17025� Sets standards, keeps NMS, performs testing, customs
2006
inspection. Meets most needs of TI in Kenya� Challenges remain: Lack of skills, MIC Uganda� Well established Scientific and Industrial and Legal
Metrology, Uganda National Bureau of Standards� Standards development, verification, inspection,
measurement standards, testing� Can not meet testing needs due to lack in capacity. Fish
ban, 1999.
*www.kebs.org, www.iso.org
EAMET Technical InfrastructureEAMET Technical Infrastructure
Rwanda� Rwanda Bureau of Standards (RBS)� Standardisation, Quality assurance, metrology, testing� Dimensional, Electricity, Instrumentation, Mass,
Temperature, Volume, Pressure
Burundi� Bureau Burundais de Normalisation et Contrôle de la
2006
� Bureau Burundais de Normalisation et Contrôle de la Qualité (BBN)
� Standardisation and Metrology division� Certification, accreditation and inspection� Main Products Certified by BBN:� -Organic products (fruits and vegetables) � -Honey � -palm and cotton oil� -Passion fruit juice� -mineral water � -Milk� -Tea
*WWW.EAC-QUALITY.NET, www.rwanda-standards.org
NEWMET Technical InfrastructureNEWMET Technical Infrastructure
Egypt� Well established Metrology body (NIS), Standards
organisation (EOS) and Accreditation authority (NAQAAE)� NIS, full member of the BIPM� Some laboratories accredited to ISO 17025� Quality system approved by EURAMET� With national laboratories, can perform most testing for
Egypt
2006
Egypt
Nigeria� Well established Standards, Scientific and Industrial and
Legal Metrology body (SON)� Standardisation, conformity assessment� Permission to establish a metrology section
NEWMET Technical InfrastructureNEWMET Technical Infrastructure
Ghana� Ghana Standards Bureau (GSB)� MSTQ� Metrology, Standards, Testing and Quality Assurance� Testing, Inspection, Certification, Calibration � Dimensional, Mass, Electrical, Instrumentations, Mass,
Temperature, Volume, Density, Pressure, Force, Frequency
Ethiopia
2006
Ethiopia� Quality and Standards Authority of Ethiopia (QSAE)� Standardisation, Metrology, Legal Metrology� Mass, Dimensional and linear, Volume and Flow, Pressure and
Force, Temperature, Electrical Quantities and T&F Measurements
*www.iso.org
NEWMET Technical InfrastructureNEWMET Technical Infrastructure
Libya� Libya National Centre for Standardisation and Metrology
(LNCSM)� Standards, Metrology and Accreditation
Sudan� Sudanese Standards and Metrology Organisation (SSMO)� Standardisation, Calibration, Weights and Measures
2006
� Standardisation, Calibration, Weights and Measures� Specialist laboratories
-Food and feeds-cereals-engineering (civil, mechanical, electrical, electronic, chemical)-pharmaceuticals-environmental-gold-chemicals, microbiology and mycotoxins
*www.sudan-travel.net, www.wikipedia.com
The Status of the TI in SADCMETThe Status of the TI in SADCMET
� Technical Infrastructure (Standards, Metrology,
Accreditation) well established in SADC region
- Supports all sectors of the economy
- NMISA can provide traceability to the region,
supported by secondary standards in most
countries
- Legal metrology system well established in 12 of
2006
- Legal metrology system well established in 12 of
the 14 SADC countries
- Challenges in providing traceability for GMO
analysis, environmental analysis (dioxins, furans),
POPs
Morocco
� Scientific and Industrial and Legal Metrology well
established at the National Metrology Laboratory
(LNM) at the Laboratoire public d'essais et
d'etudes (LPEE)� Accredited by internal accreditation body
the status of metrology in MAGMET
The Status of the TI in MAGMETThe Status of the TI in MAGMET
2006
� Accredited by internal accreditation body
� Mass and Force
� Temperature and humidity
� Dimensional
� Pressure
� Electrical
� Industrial hydraulics
� Participates in MAGMET and AFRIMETS
comparisons
� Next step is Associate membership of the CGPM
the status of metrology in MAGMET
Tunisia
� Legal Metrology Agency in the Department of Commerce and
Industry: Length, Mass, Volume, Environment
� Scientific and Industrial metrology conducted by the Central
Laboratory for Analysis and Testing (LCAE), the National Defense
Laboratory (DEFNAT) and the Precision Measurement Equipment
Laboratory (PMEL)
� In 2008, the National Agency of Metrology (ANM) was
The Status of the TI in MAGMETThe Status of the TI in MAGMET
2006
� In 2008, the National Agency of Metrology (ANM) was
established to be responsible for Legal and Scientific and
Industrial metrology and the roles of LCAE, DEFNAT and PMEL
were formalised
� Associate member of the CGPM
� Member of the OIML
� Participates in MAGMET and AFRIMETS comparisons
� The National Accreditation Council (TUNAC) is a signatory to the
International Laboratories Accreditation Co-operation (ILAC)
the status of metrology in MAGMET
Algeria
� Legal Metrology well established National Office
for Legal Metrology (ONML)
� Scientific and Industrial Metrology conducted in
the ONML
The Status of the TI in MAGMETThe Status of the TI in MAGMET
2006
the ONML
� Member of OIML
Mauritania
� Signed the MAGMET MoU in 2009
� Corresponding member of OIML
� No information available at present on capabilities
� Technical Infrastructure being established
� UEMOA Quality programme
the status of metrology in SOAMETThe Status of the TI in SOAMETThe Status of the TI in SOAMET
2006
� UEMOA Quality programme
� Interesting approach of sub-regional metrology
� The secretariat for metrology (SOAMET) was
formed by the council of Ministers
� Existing laboratories designated as “regional
NMIs (some accredited to ISO 17025) are
charged with primary traceability for selected
parameters
� This way, resources are optimised
11 countries to be covered:Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Togo
� Adopted an Investment charter to addresses
standardisation, metrology and accreditation
� Metrology is weak (non existent in most
members)
The Status of the TI in CEMACMETThe Status of the TI in CEMACMET
2006
� Assistance programmes by the PTB and UNIDO
� Agro-food exports, potential impact from basic
metrology, standards, quality infrastructure is
huge
*www.agoa.info
� High Level (participating in the CIPM MRA) Metrology facilities:
� South Africa, Egypt, Kenya, Tunisia
� Legal Metrology and Industrial and Scientific Metrology facilities
� Morocco, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Ghana, Botswana, Zimbabwe,
Uganda, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire
Summary of Metrology status Summary of Metrology status
in Africain Africa
2006
� Legal Metrology and establishing Scientific metrology facilities:
� Algeria, Libya, Sudan, Nigeria, Malawi, Angola, Swaziland,
Mozambique, Rep. of Congo, CAR, Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea
Bissau, Namibia, Seychelles, Gabon, Madagascar, Mauritania,
Rwanda, Burundi
� Only Legal or no Metrology facilities:
� Lesotho, Somalia, Eritrea, Gambia, Mali, Liberia, Comores, Cape
Verde, Cameroon, Niger, Senegal, Togo
Problems faced by African AnalystsProblems faced by African Analysts
� Majority of scientists on the continent were trained abroad
� Involved in solving or developing techniques appropriate for
the developed world
� Lack of financial resources to purchase high tech
instrumentation
2006
� Requires spares and maintenance, sourced from abroad
� Isolated in the more remote parts of the continent
� Need proper training and incentives to STAY!
Photograph by Chris Johns
the Language problemthe Language problem
� Language in Africa (other than
indigenous) follows historical colonial
borders
� Main languages are French, English,
German, Portuguese, Italian and Arabic
2006
German, Portuguese, Italian and Arabic
� Hampers cooperation in Metrology
How to Foster Technical competence?How to Foster Technical competence?
� Africa has untapped natural and human resources
� Needs a dedicated pan African training
programme “designed for Africa”
� Better coordination of programmes supported by
donor funding
2006
donor funding
� Governments and institutes need to retain skills
� Need to reward metrologists
� Tangible (proper remuneration)
� Intangible (proper recognition)
The South African scenarioThe South African scenario
� Transformation, metrology’s skills shortage’s
� Our best ally!
but…
2006
but…
� sometimes our worst enemy
the NMISA scenariothe NMISA scenario
� Mentorship is the key to future success
� Huge effort to pay market related salaries
� Benchmarked against science councils, academic
institutions, government, selected industrial
2006
institutions, government, selected industrial
companies
� Training and travel opportunities
� Incentive scheme, e.g. what else can we offer that
does not necessarily cost money?
What can AFRIMETS do?What can AFRIMETS do?
� Elevate metrology issues to ministerial level
� Engage organisations on behalf of
metrologists
� Discuss the Skills shortage in metrology at
2006
� Discuss the Skills shortage in metrology at
the highest level possible
� Create a support system for African
metrologists
� Leverage donor funding for regional and
international training
What can AFRIMETS do?What can AFRIMETS do?
� Assist with practical problems, for example
unavailability of measurement standards or
CRMs, servicing etc.
� Dedicated Intern/Guest worker progammes
2006
� Dedicated Intern/Guest worker progammes
� Metrology courses, NLA, Universities
� Africa Summer school
� Qualification in metrology
� Opportunities for metrologists to attend
international meetings
a snapshot of the futurea snapshot of the future
� Can not have unrealistic expectations,
recession
� Not able to compete with high intensity or
high risk industry
2006
high risk industry
BUT!
Metrology can offer an interesting and rewarding career!
en.wikipedia.org
ConclusionConclusion
� The shortage of skills in metrology is a sign of the times
� We need to stop lamenting and adapt to modern
circumstances
� Dedicated interventions from government and a special
effort from “older” metrologists are needed
2006
effort from “older” metrologists are needed
� AFRIMETS is a ray of light and can play a meaningful role in
advancing metrology (and the interests of metrologists)
� … each one of you can make a difference
� … and thank you for being in this room/field!