SIXTH AFRICA-USA INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY (MANUTECH 2002)

Theme: MANUTECH 2002: Connecting Africa to the Manufacturing Grid JULY 8-11, 2002, ABUJA, NIGERIA www.engrng.pitt.edu/~afrusamt

Engineers, Scientists, Managers, Researchers, Chief Executives, Administrators, and Students are invited to participate in the 6th Africa-USA International Conference on Manufacturing Technology. This conference is co-sponsored by the United States National Science Foundation, the International Society of Manufacturing Engineers, the Institute for Industrial Engineers, the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Nigerian Federal Ministry of Industry, the University of Pittsburgh USA, the University of Tennessee Knoxville TN, USA, Louisiana State University, and the University of South Florida. MANUTECH 2002 represents an international congregation of professionals interested in the advancement of Manufacturing Technology in Africa. Forward and reverse manufacturing technology transfers between the USA and Africa are imperatives for global competitiveness in the new world market place for these partners.

The problems of developing countries, such as those in Africa, cannot be successfully addressed until those countries are able to implement appropriate technologies for infrastructure development and for basic manufacturing. In particular, the adaptations of existing and appropriate manufacturing technologies are essential to sustainable industrial growth and development.

Economic, social, and political progress in Africa can be enhanced by the creation of local industries which provide employment for the growing population, cater to the needs of the population for local consumer goods, provide export products, and stimulate foreign investment. This conference will provide a forum for the exchange of information and ideas between professionals in Africa and those in the western world. Such exchanges could form the basis for creating better awareness of the role of manufacturing technologies in the context of the development and economic stability of Africa and could also become the catalyst for increased and sustained dialogue on the those issues.

CONFERENCE BACKGROUND

The inaugural meeting of the first Africa-USA International Conference on Manufacturing Technology took place in Lagos, Nigeria in January 1993; the second conference also took place in Lagos in August 1994. The third conference convened in Accra, Ghana in August 1996, while the fourth conference took place in Pittsburgh, USA in August 1997. The fifth conference convened in Abuja Nigeria July 10-14 2000. We are delighted to convene the sixth conference again in Abuja, Nigeria. The conference has attracted researchers, students, practitioners, manufacturers, educators, businessmen, and government officials from several countries around the world. Several research findings, case studies, basic research, as well as papers and panels that focus on the underlying theoretical framework have been presented at the conference. The conference proceedings have also been widely disseminated. Specific topics presented during previous conferences included technology infrastructure development, ongoing technology developments in Nigeria and Africa, science and technology policies, and science and technology cooperation between Africa and USA. Several collaborative efforts in research and other arenas have been initiated between engineers, scientists, and industrialists in African and the USA. The conference has received positive reviews in local, national, and international press. The Nigerian Daily Times commended the conference as "a bold initiative in the direction of redesigning our engineering future."

CONFERENCE TOPICS

A wide variety of topics befitting the theme of the conference have been proposed. Interested participants are requested to submit abstracts of proposed presentations, workshops or panels. Presentations will range from research studies, practical applications examples, and industry case studies. Program outline includes: Manufacturing in the petro-chemical Industry Small Scale manufacturing Innovative Technologies Research Collaborations Industrial Cooperation Product Design & Manufacturing Project Management Economic Policies for Technology and Infrastructure Development Industrial Automation Control of Operations Student Education Exchange Programs Supply Chain Management Enterprise Systems Manufacturing Information Electronic Commerce in Manufacturing and Distribution Manufacturing Processes Quality Control Facilities Planning and Material Handling Others

SUBMISSION OF ABSTRACTS 

Abstracts and papers should be sent via email attachments or hardcopy printouts to the attention of: 

O. Geoffrey Okogbaa Co-Chair, International Technical Program Committee Institute on Black Life University of South Florida Fax: 813-974-5042 email: okogbaa@ibl.usf.edu

GENERAL INFORMATION 

For general information about the conference, contact the following:

Prof. Bart Nnaji Conference General-Chair Industrial Engineering Department University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261 e-mail: nnaji@engrng.pitt.edu FAX: 412-624-2910 Conference web site: www.engrng.pitt.edu/~afrusamt

Prof. Adedeji B. Badiru Conference Co-General-Chair Department of Industrial Engineering University of Tennessee, Knoxville Knoxville, TN 37996-0700 Fax: 865-974-0588 email: abadiru@utk.edu

Prof. Pius Ebgelu, Louisiana State University Co-Chair, International Technical Program Committee College of Engineering Louisiana State University Baton Rouge, LA Office fax: 225 388 4845 Email: pegbelu@eng.lsu.edu

Important Dates

ABSTRACT DUE: March 15, 2001 Manuscript Due: February 15, 2002 Registration USA & Europe $250 Nigeria & Africa $N 500 (Does not include banquets and Dinners)

MEMBERS OF THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZING COMMITTEE 

Dr. Babs Ayeni, 3M, St. Paul, Minnesota 

Prof. Augustine Esogbue, Georgia Tech 

Professor Bolaji Aluko, Howard University 

Prof. Luis Garcia-Rubio, University of South Florida 

Prof. Kwabena Gyimah Brempong, University of South Florida 

Prof. Samuel Owusu-Ofori, North Carolina A&T University 

Prof. Celestine Ntuen, North Carolina A&T University 

Prof. Oye Ibidapo-Obe, University of Lagos 

Prof. Alexander Animalu, National Mathematical Center, Abuja 

Prof. Anya O. Anya, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 

Prof. T. C. Nwodo, Enugu State University of Science & Technology 

Mr. F. B. Odunayo, Managing Director, Honeywell Flour Mills, Apapa, Lagos