Latest news with #IDM
IOL News
09-06-2025
- Health
- IOL News
Unlocking Africa's data potential: the launch of the African Bioinformatics Institute
Univeristy of Cape Town. Image: File In an epoch-defining milestone for scientific collaboration and capacity building across Africa, the African Bioinformatics Institute (ABI) has officially launched, inheriting interim hosting support from the University of Cape Town's (UCT) esteemed Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM). This transformative initiative is poised to propel the continent into a data-powered future, driving forward bioinformatics research and infrastructure with the goal of unleashing Africa's vast potential in health, development, and innovation. The launch of the ABI followed a landmark gathering featuring over 200 scientists, policymakers, and institutional leaders hailing from across Africa and beyond. All present shared an unwavering commitment to cultivating an integrated, Africa-led ecosystem devoted to data-driven discoveries, a vital venture for the continent's future. Currently hosted by UCT's IDM, the ABI capitalises on a robust institutional foundation and a rich legacy of leadership in genomics, health, and bioinformatics research. Within the next months, ABI will establish itself as a non-profit organisation (NPO), which will solidify its long-term independence and reinforce its commitment to an Africa-led agenda. The ABI's formation signifies a substantial leap forward for empowering African researchers to lead the charge in bioinformatics and data science. Interim lead of the ABI and head of the Computational Biology Division at UCT, Professor Nicky Mulder expressed optimism about the institute's potential: 'The launch of the ABI marks a major milestone towards building a genuinely Africa-led research ecosystem.' 'Bioinformatics and data science are the cornerstones of research that will help us achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The ABI is well-positioned to play a foundational role in investing in world-class training, infrastructure, and collaboration, which will drive Africa's scientific growth in the coming years,' she said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ With seed funding from the Wellcome Trust and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, the ABI aims to serve as a catalyst for cutting-edge genomics research and health advancements. The anticipated development of African infrastructure will empower local researchers to analyse pathogens, monitor diseases, and implement evidence-based policy, paving the way for sustained health improvements across the continent. Ekin Bolukbasi, Technology Manager for Data for Science and Health at Wellcome, said there is a growing demand for bioinformatics. 'Given the rapid pace of technological advancement, bioinformatics and data science have become essential for research-driven decision-making. The ABI has an ambitious vision to establish itself as a continent-wide skills and infrastructure hub, enabling the use of biological data to enhance the lives of African citizens.' In recent years, Africa has witnessed a surge in biological and environmental data generation, primarily propelled by advancements in genomics and public health surveillance. However, the infrastructure and expertise required to effectively manage and interpret this influx of data has remained erratic. The ABI aims to bridge this gap through enhanced training, establishing interoperable systems, and championing local leadership in data science. Dario Taraborelli, science program officer at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, said Africa's leaders in genomics, biodiversity research, and disease surveillance have been operating without the unified data infrastructure they rightly deserve. We are proud to support the African Bioinformatics Institute as it lays the groundwork for the data and bioinformatics backbone needed across the continent, addressing the priorities of its scientific community and unlocking breakthrough discoveries that will benefit its distinct and diverse populations.' The African Bioinformatics Institute is focused on aligning its goals with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union's Agenda 2063 by: Enhancing the continent's capacity in bioinformatics through training, infrastructure, and collaborative networks. Establishing infrastructure that enables African researchers to analyse, interpret, and integrate complex datasets essential for tackling local and continental challenges. Supporting pandemic preparedness by providing access to high-quality, interoperable bioinformatics tools and platforms. Facilitating the implementation of One Health by linking human, animal, and ecosystem health to strengthen the response to emerging health threats. Since its inception in January 2025, the ABI has established an interim governance council and is actively identifying regional nodes to ensure comprehensive geographical representation and research diversity. Its interim hosting at UCT's IDM - a globally recognised leader in health research - highlights UCT's pivotal role as a continental epicentre for scientific excellence. Recently, in April 2025, the ABI endorsed the ISCB-Africa ASBCB Bioinformatics Conference in Cape Town, which convened students and early-career researchers alongside established scientists to foster collaboration and information exchange. The institute's momentum is set to continue as it prepares to launch its inaugural training programme and cultivate communities of practice across various thematic research areas.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
OWIT Global Announces Advanced Rating and Rules Solution, Taking a Step Beyond Other Vendor Offerings
OWIT Global Architects a High-performant, Tool-based Solution Optimized for the Cloud WEST HARTFORD, Conn., April 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- OWIT Global (OWIT), the leader in cloud-based insurance-specific microservices architected solutions to digitalize the global insurance industry, is pleased to announce the availability of a newly constructed Rating and Rules solution that differentiates from the existing vendor options. The new Rating and Rules solution provides the industry with a flexible option that can easily adapt to market trends, regulatory changes, and business requirements and is configured with a business-user-friendly, no-code tool, creating a visual representation of the logic that includes the resultant values such as premiums, rates, and factors. The solution can run standalone or integrated (via APIs) with existing solutions through the configurable tool, reducing the need for IT involvement. OWIT's Rating and Rules solution has been developed on a modern architecture that optimizes a cloud-based framework. This approach ensures a highly scalable solution that can handle varying workloads and data sets seamlessly in a highly efficient manner. Coupled with strong security measures, including encryption and access controls, ensure OWIT's Rating and Rules solution is highly performant. Features such as "what-if" scenarios and workflow illustrations further enhance the user experience. Customers leveraging OWIT's data integrity solution, Insurance Data Management (IDM), can integrate the solution to run rating and rules against incoming data distribution streams. For customers that are leveraging OWIT's Insurance Process Management (IPM) solution, the Rating and Rules solution can be used for any process-driven operation, such as Submission Management and Point of Sale. OWIT's solutions can offer significant cost savings over the traditional model, where Carriers, Reinsurers, Brokers, MGAs, MGUs, TPAs, and other partners attempt to address their respective challenges of data and insurance processing separately. To learn more about OWIT Global, check out our website at About OWIT Global OWIT Global (OWIT) is an insurance technology company specializing in solutions built on a unique suite of reusable insurance-specific microservices. OWIT's solutions include Bordereaux and Binder Management, Business to Business/Consumer Portals, User and Point of Sale Portals, Rating, Document-lite Generation, and Insurance Data Transformation. Each OWIT solution is built on a collection of microservices that allow for unprecedented reusability to deliver an array of additional solutions to solve pressing pain points for both immediate and longer-term business benefits. OWIT's solutions can be deployed standalone or integrated with a Broker's, Carrier's, or MGA's existing environment to maximize investments. To see the power and flexibility of the OWIT catalog of cloud-based microservices, visit Media Contact: Gilda Migliore gilda@ 1-833-GET-OWIT X708 View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE OWIT Global Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Interior Design Masters series 6 — meet the contestants vying for a homeware collection with John Lewis
Interior Design Masters with is back for a sixth series, returning to our screens on 10th April 2025 on BBC One. Described as the ultimate interior design crash course, IDM – judged by interiors guru and famous guest judges — follows 10 novice designers looking for their big break in the world of commercial . Working individually and in teams, the aspiring designers are given free rein to redesign spaces in line with the client's brief, and each week an unlucky designer is sent home. But there's even more on the line this year, as the winner will land a hugely coveted homeware collection with leading department store John Lewis & Partners. Series five was won by Roisin Quinn, a former travel advisor from The Wirral, whose colourful, maximalist style impressed the judges week in, week out. Her win on the show also secured her a homeware collection with La Redoute, marking the first time a brand collaboration has been the show's prize. With series five of Interior Design Masters with Alan Carr averaging 3.4 million viewers, it's perhaps not surprising that the show has been recommisioned for two more series. 'I feel the show goes from strength to strength and whether Interior Design Masters makes you giggle on the settee or propels you up a stepladder with a drill in hand to give your room some much-needed TLC, we hope we put a smile on your face,' says host Alan. Casting is now open for series seven: Producers are on the hunt for 10 more designers to take part in IDM 2026, with filming starting this summer. If you're ready to showcase your interior design talent or if you know someone who has the skills, applications are open now until 13 April 2025 – apply here. Scroll for a first look at the series six contestants and check back here weekly to read our exclusive exit interviews... • Interior Design Masters with returns on Thursday 10th April at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayerAge: 33 Occupation: Interior design student and model Lives: Originally from Bournemouth, Ayisha now lives in Brighton with her husband and two children Style: Fresh romantic • Ayisha's had a very successful modelling career, featuring in editorials and commercials, as well as walking the London, Milanand New York 25 Occupation: Social media executive Lives: Liverpool Style: Colourful playful • The youngest in the competition, Bradley uses his parents' house as his interior design canvas, documenting his creations on social 36 Occupation: Homewares retailer Lives: Surrey Style: Earthy organic • Originally from Croydon, Briony met her partner at the Brit School before they decided to start an interiors and lifestyle brand — they opened a few brick-and-mortar stores before moving the business 58 Occupation: Giftware designer Lives: Craig lives in Hastings with his husband in a 1920s mock Tudor house Style: Retro vintage • Craig started out as a chef in London before being accepted into art college where he studied Fine Art. He also used to run his own kitsch homeware shop in 53 Occupation: Art and textiles teacher Lives: North Wales Style: Bougie boho • Mum of three teenage children, Emma was raised in a large family surrounded by the North Wales countryside, where making and designing was the norm – her family home even had a dark room and kiln. Emma was born with a limb difference and growing up she was encouraged by her father to believe she could do 27 Occupation: Development manager at a sexual health charity Lives: Born and raised in Nigeria, Esme now lives in Glasgow since moving to the UK Style: Nature & organic-inspired • Having initally studied anatomy, Esme always had a keen interest in fashion design and he ran a clothing business on the side in Nigeria. Since moving to the UK, he now has a Diploma in Interior Design and has enrolled at university to study for an Interior Design 26 Occupation: Fabric designer Lives: Holly lives in Salford with her boyfriend in their fixer-upper house Style: 70s beach house • Holly is the proud owner of a 1969 Sprite Alpine C caravan which she's named Flea, after the Red Hot Chili Peppers' bassist. She has a love for retro design, vintage finds and surfing and 46 Occupation: Design & Technology teacher Lives: Stockport Style: Graphic bohemian • John had a creative upbringing in Yorkshire and was encouraged to draw, paint and make things by hand by his mum, who is also an artist. He studied model making at art school and worked as a prop and costume maker for theatre, TV and film before becoming an architectural model maker. His 3D models were exhibited at the Royal Academy and the Venice 42 Occupation: Merchandising consultant Lives: Rita lives on a farm outside Lancaster surrounded by nature and sheep. Style: Rustic textural • Rita is of Lebanese heritage and spent her childhood moving between Iraq, Cyprus and Lebanon before finally coming to the UK in 2006. As an artist and ilustrator, she comes from a creative family – her father is an architect and her mother runs her own fashion 31 Occupation: Project director Lives: Glasgow Style: Contemporary luxe • Victoria grew up on a working dairy farm surrounded by animals and driving tractors, and spent her summer holidays milking cows. Her interest in interiors was sparked by her mother, who designed their family farmhouse using budget-friendly hacks and secondhand furniture. Victoria competed nationally in YoungFarmers handicraft competitions and studied jewellery design and silversmithing.£11.84 at You Might Also Like 7 hallway mirrors to create the illusion of space 13 bedroom wallpaper ideas to transform plain walls 12 garden furniture sets perfect for outdoor entertaining
