On education and training appropriate information technology for developing societies

A research paper on education curriculum for appropriate Information Technologies (ICT's) for developing countries.While information technology' (IT) potentially holds promise in the technological advancement of developing countries, it is a revolution whose diffusion needs to be assessed. With the advent of IT in developing societies, education and training should play a significant role in IT policy dissemination and initiatives. Education and training towards appropriate IT remains crucial for the viability of a developing nation or region. Such viability is based on the effective use of material resources for public and private infrastructure. This paper focuses on the applicability of IT in developing countries. It presents some issues of appropriateness that need to be considered in formulating IT policies. It identifies education and training as crucial means of harnessing the potential of the emerging IT in developing societies

A study of the roles, opportunities and challenges of environmental sub-committees (ESCs): A case of Masvingo district, Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is committed to the implementation of environmental management strategies that promote the conservation of biological diversity while supporting sustainable utilisation of natural resources. As part of this strategy, Environmental Sub-Committees have been established throughout the country in order to support the work of Environmental Committees. This study was conducted in Masvingo District to determine the role of Environmental Sub-Committees in Natural Resources Management and the challenges they face. Purposive sampling was used to select the respondents in the Wards which had functional committees. Questionnaires were used in interviews with 38 Environmental Sub-Committee members from 12 wards as well as representatives from 8 organisations that interface with Environmental Sub-Committees. The results showed that the major roles of Environmental Sub-Committees were related to promoting environmental awareness and in the enforcement of environmental laws. Major challenges faced by Environmental Sub-Committees were resistance from the communities, absence of an Environmental sub-Committee identification system and inadequate transport. The majority of the respondents highlighted that there was a need to amend several by-laws in order to enhance environmental protection within the District. The most common offences are related to deforestation (41%), veld fires (27%) and gold panning (12%). There was a high incidence of repeat offenders and this was attributed to the non-deterrent fines currently in place. It was therefore recommended that Environmental Sub-Committees should strengthen efforts to create awareness of their activities among those stakeholders who are also involved in natural resources management. Environmental Sub-Committees can play a pivotal role in Natural Resources Management if the challenges that they face are fully addressed

Genetic and phenotypic parameters for milk protein yields in Holstein cattle

A research paper on the genetics of breeding milk cows in Zimbabwe.Knowledge of genetic parameters is of paramount importance in designing sound breeding programmes. Genetic and phenotypic parameters are needed in the estimation of breeding values. The objectives of this study were to: estimate genetic parameters for milk, fat and protein yields; determine genetic and phenotypic correlations among these production traits and determine if genetic parameters are the same within lactations in Holstein cattle. A total of 17 598 Holstein 305 day milk records from the Zimbabwe Dairy Services Association were used to estimate heritabilities, variances, covariances and genetic and phenotypic correlations among 305 day yields of milk, fat and protein. The cows used were those that calved between 1994 and 1997 inclusive. This study was done in 1998. A FORTRAN iterative algorithm of REML — AIREML — (Gilmour, 1995) was used for the analyses. The animal model contained herd, year of calving, calving month, dry period, calving interval, milking frequency and animal effects. Heritability estimates for 305 day milk yield were 0.34 + 0.04; 0.22 + 0.06; 0.17 + 0.05; 0.10 + 0.05 and 0.09 + 0.04 for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th and later lactations respectively. For fat yield corresponding estimates were 0.34 + 0.05; 0.33 + 0.07; 0.17 + 0.05; 0.09 + 0.06 and 0.10 + 0.06 respectively. Estimates for protein yield were 0.22 + 0.04; 0.25 + 0.07; 0.19 + 0.06; 0.07 + 0.05 and 0.12 + 0.05 for the respective lactations. Phenotypic correlations between milk and fat, milk and protein and fat and protein in 1st parity were 0.92, 0.95 and 0.92 respectively and for 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th and later parities they were 0.89, 0.97 and 0.92; 0.92, 0.98 and 0.94; 0.92, 0.98 and 0.94 and 0.93, 0.98 and 0.95 respectively. Genetic correlations were 0.92, 0.92 and 0.88; 0.86, 0.93 and 0.88; 0.83, 0.93 and 0.93; 0.46, 0.88 and 0.58; and 0.68, 0.89 and 0.83 for the respective lactations

A dynamic simulation of a lean and agile manufacturing system

The integration of just-in-time and lean principles in agile manufacturing plays an important role in enhancing the operational performance of manufacturing systems. In this paper, we address this issue by (i) building a set of performance criteria for a typical manufacturing system, (ii) developing a system dynamics model for the system, and (iii) performing experimental “what-if” simulation analyses. Using a system dynamics simulation methodology, the impact of the application of lean and just-in-time policies on a traditional inventory-focused manufacturing system is investigated. System dynamics modelling is used to capture the dynamic causal linkages between different components of the manufacturing system. Different scenarios are generated in order to investigate the dynamics of the system under assumed demand scenarios. The results of the simulation study reveal that manufacturing systems can benefit from the introduction of lean and just-in-time principles, depending on the extent to which the necessary structural changes are implemented. The paper concludes by providing useful managerial insights for effective implementation of lean and agile manufacturing concepts

System dynamics simulation for strategic green supply chain management

The design of appropriate green supply chains in the manufacturing sector is a crucial task. The present paper seeks to (i) identify suitable performance measures for green supply chains and to (ii) develop a dynamic simulation model to assist supply chain decision-makers in developing appropriate policies and strategies in green supply chain management. Based on the principles of the system dynamics methodology, causal linkages between internal and external factors affecting the development of green strategies are investigated. Green concepts are used to develop crucial environmental and eco-efficiency performance measures in regards to strategic green supply management. Results from what-if analysis indicate that proper implementation of green strategies produces significant improvements for environmental, economic/financial and operational performance. Further numerical experiments demonstrate that the model can provide sound managerial insights

Planning and monitoring tool to control profitability in a manufacturing concern : a case study at C Chemicals

The aim of this paper is to analyse the key profit drivers in a manufacturing concern, and develop a decision tool based on optimisation techniques. The aim is planning and managing these profit drivers so that the target revenue and profit are realised during an operating period. This was done through developing a forecasting tool based on Visual Basic that was used by the organisation to project the future demand of its products. This tool was linked to a database that had details on past product performance. Planning software was developed using linear programming, which identified the optimum product mix and the sales outlets locations to maximise revenue and profi

Using performance and theatre arts in HIV interventions and HIV programming in sub-Saharan Africa: A scoping review of extant literature

To raise awareness and knowledge of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); information, education and communication (IEC) strategies are needed. Entertainment education (EE) uses performing arts and theatre, as form of HIV programming, and is increasingly utilised in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), a region impacted by a generalised HIV epidemic. A scoping review was conducted mapping and describing extant performance and theatre arts literature in HIV programming in the region. 27 records (between 1999-2019) were charted and thematically analysed. Performance theatre as a health education and promotion strategy in HIV programming was reported in South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Uganda, Malawi, Lesotho, Zambia, Nigeria and Tanzania. This innovative strategy raised awareness, enhanced knowledge and corrected community myths; was transformative in changing cultural views and attitudes’; and enhancing behaviour change. This review highlights the potential for continued use of innovative performance and theatre arts in HIV interventions and HIV programming in SSA

Designing of an intelligent fuzzy logic system for accretion prevention in Sponge iron SL/RN rotary KILN based 100TPD DRI process

Sponge iron is an intermediate product of steel formed during direct reduction of iron ore with aid of regulated temperatures and pressures within a rotary kiln. The greatest challenge is the direct measurement of kiln shell temperatures due to the catastrophic accumulation of sintered particles of solid bed which form rings at places along the length of the kiln thus hindering material flow. The accretion reduces productivity, damage kiln lining and reduces the production period as well as reduction in product quality. This process requires a controller which will be able to control with imprecise and partial data input; and be able to achieve the desired product quality under dynamic process conditions thus a Fuzzy Controller was used for the proposed design. The main goal of the research was to predict the rate of accretion build up within the kiln and minimize it with aid of a Fuzzy Control System cascaded to an already existing Programmable Logic Controller. A 16.2% build up rate was achieved as compared to the most appreciated 27% thus nearly a 10% decrease, a result which can improve the campaign period by approximately 48 hours which will be a 200 tons of sponge iron

Design of an automated grinding media charging system for ball mills

The parameters of mill load (ML) not only represent the load of the ball mill, but also determine the grinding production ratio (GPR) of the grinding process. Monitoring and recognition of milling conditions have significant effect on the operating efficiency, product quality, and energy and grinding media consumption for the milling circuit. This paper presents an automated grinding media charging system incorporating a multi-agent system developed in Java Agent Development Environment (JADE). A control logix program is designed to determine the precise quantities of grinding media to be charged in an incremental manner such that shock loading is avoided. The multi-agent system created in JADE monitors the power drawn and the mill load of the ball mill such that proper charging conditions are established. High quality of the regulation process is achieved through utilization of the control logix and the multi-agent system

Academic staff development strategies in engineering fields of study : case study of Zimbabwe

Higher education is the basic instrument of economic growth and technological advancement in any society. The economic meltdown in Zimbabwe which climaxed 2008 with an inflation level of 231million % exacerbated the brain drain. After the economic meltdown, Zimbabwe is in the process of rebuilding the quality of staff and the staffing levels in its higher education institutions. The challenge has been the decision on the mode of study: whether to go via taught masters or masters by research; where to allow the faculty members to study: in the region, or beyond; on a fulltime or on a part-time basis or on a split-site basis. These challenges have been due to the need to have a quick but quality programme of staff development, while maximising on the resources available for staff development. A survey was undertaken of the engineering related departments in Zimbabwe universities focusing on the existing staffing levels, their qualifications, current numbers undergoing study and their levels. The challenges faced by each institution from the administrative side and from the staff side are summarised. Recommendations on staff development strategies are given in conclusion