6 Nov 2012

Science & Technology

 



We're last in class

So what are we going to do about it? We all know our state education system is a shambles, and now that has been confirmed after SA was rated as bottom of class in maths and science. It's yet another extremely dubious "honour" this country has earned. The question is: how will our shambolic "education" system be fixed?

And if you are in the NPO sector, it's time to be afraid, very afraid... According to
Inyathelo executive director Shelagh Gastrow, if proposed amendments affecting the BEE code go through as is, NPOs and charities could go under - and that means many thousands of children and adults currently being helped, will be affected.

Trying to benefit our exports by 'managing' the rand will not help exporters say a number of experts. In any event, one says, the market is far too large for us to influence it to any effective extent.

Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande says bankers need to be taught courses in sociology, apparently in order to develop a social consciousness about the effects of lending.

And to end, Bizcom's very own "brute in a suit", motoring editor Henrie Geyser, says the new Chevrolet Trailblazer is - just as he is...a brute in a suit.

Rod Baker, content director

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Science


SA now bottom of class in maths, science
After years of poor performances in education rankings, SA finally hit rock bottom in an international measure of the quality of maths and science education. Read more >>

SKA: lack of local skills would be 'absolutely tragic'
According to defenceWeb, South Africa - who co-hosts the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) radio telescope- is in desperate need of more local skills to ensure that the country as a whole enjoys the benefits of the project. Two of the three biggest components of the SKA will be built in Africa, with the remainder to be built in Australia. About 70% of the facility will be built in Africa, and South Africa is expected to become a global centre for information technology, fundamental physics, astronomy and high-tech engineering. Read more >>

Technology


New Lumia model going on sale in US
Finnish mobile phone maker Nokia said on Monday that it had chosen the second biggest US operator, Verizon Wireless, to exclusively distribute its new Lumia 822 model when it launches the phone. Read more >>

Windows 8 - significant changes emerge
SAN FRANCISCO - Microsoft has started rolling out a new version of its flagship Windows operating system tailored for a world shifting from personal computers to smartphones and tablets. Read more >>

South Korea angered by Google's island name change
SEOUL - South Korea lashed out at Google for changing the name of an isolated set of islands at the centre of a territorial dispute with Japan on its English-language web mapping service. Read more >>

Amazon to launch Japanese-language Kindle
Online shopping giant Amazon said Wednesday that it will launch a Japanese-language version of its hugely popular Kindle next month as it looks to break into the largely untapped Japanese e-book market. Read more >>

Can Silicon Valley be repeated in Africa?
[Martin Carstens] IBM's Venture Capital Group is a really interesting cog in the startup machine. It's not a fund and yet, through it, IBM has managed to invest in a bevy of startups that align with its Smarter Planet initiative. Read more >>

New Microsoft Wedge Mobile Keyboard now available
The new Wedge Mobile Keyboard from Microsoft features a minimalist, lightweight design that makes it easy to carry, and its full-sized touch key-set provides a comfortable experience so on-screen tablet keyboards won't slow you down. Read more >>

IT Leaders Africa Summit 2013 aims to define IT governance
The 4th Annual IT Leaders Africa Summit is set to take place in Johannesburg, South Africa from 13-14 March 2013. The summit is produced by conferencing company, Kinetic Events. The summit series is hosted in strategic locations all over the world including Johannesburg, Dubai, Ghana, Cape Town and Nairobi. Read more >>


International
Japan's electronics sector warns of dire outlook
TOKYO, JAPAN: Warnings from Panasonic and Sharp that they will post a combined annual loss of more than US$15bn has reignited fears about the increasingly dire outlook for Japan's once-mighty electronics giants. Read more >>

US consumers rushing into tablets: survey
WASHINGTON, US: Some 31% of US consumers have purchased tablet computers, and most of the others want one, a survey showed on Wednesday. Read more >>

More International...


Company news

Science & Technology


Biz Charity Challenge: let's all help together - Bizcommunity
With the festive season fast approaching, Bizcommunity.com would like to challenge our readers, clients and partners to think of those less fortunate. Help us raise funds, bedding and toys for our two chosen charities and the company raising the most will be given two free press office releases for the festive season, in the industry of your choice, to promote whatever you like. Read more >>


Government
Knives out for Telkom's Moholi
The "revolving door for executives" at Telkom may next claim CEO Pinky Moholi, a Telkom veteran who was appointed to the helm last year. Read more >>

More Government news...


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