Information and communications

First corridor sensor web proves viability of advanced spatial data infrastructure The corridor sensor web, a simplified technology demonstrator of a sensor web, has been demonstrated by the CSIR's Meraka Institute for the first time. A sensor web is an advanced spatial data infrastructure that combines data from multiple sensors and sensor networks to provide feedback to users and sensors.

Southern Africa to benefit by CSIR participation in FP7 remote sensing projects A researcher at the Meraka Institute of the CSIR, Philip Frost, will participate in two European Union Framework Programme 7 (EU FP7) projects over the next few years. The Flemish Institute for Technology (VITO) is the lead partner, along with numerous European and African partners.

Honours course on description logics concludes Professor Enrico Franconi of the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, a visiting researcher at the CSIR's Meraka Institute, successfully concluded a three-week course in description logics for Honours students from the University of Pretoria and the University of South Africa during March 2008.

Researcher takes up international CEOS and GEO responsibilities Terence van Zyl at the Meraka Institute of the CSIR has taken on the responsibilities as leader of task teams in the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS) and in the Group on Earth Observations (GEO).

ICT innovations showcased to UNICEF delegation A visit to the CSIR's Meraka Institute by Dr Sharad Sapra, director of the UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) division of communication, may see more of the institute's ICT innovations deployed in developing countries. UNICEF works for children's rights, their survival, development and protection, and is active in 91 countries.

NSTF acknowledges value of YESA youth initiative The National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) has acknowledged the role of the Meraka Institute's Young Engineers of South Africa (YESA) initiative by adding it to the NSTF brochure listing all national science competitions and olympiads. The NSTF manages these events as part of the Youth into Science Strategy.