The Tunisian Space Association (TUNSA) was awarded pound 1.057 million as part of the Horizon Europe Space funding by the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) to support them when formulating urban development strategies and to help them access similar experiments and solutions implemented by other cities facing similar challenges. The aim of this project is to use Copernicus data for urban development in Europe and North Africa. The project further aims at designing and developing space-based applications in collaboration with international partners and developing innovative solutions targeting the living conditions in urban areas, TUNSA President Ahmed El Fadhel told Space in Africa. "The project was inspired by the challenges related to city conditions, particularly in Europe and Africa, where the rapidly increasing population concentration has impacted urban environments," he pointed out. To address these challenges, the objective is to create a virtual laboratory that acts as a testi ng ground for urban planners. "This laboratory enables urban planners to explore and assess developmental ideas visually using multi-dimensional models," he added. El Fadhel further indicated that the proposed solution heavily relies on earth observation (EO) data, sourced primarily from Copernicus satellites and complemented by local data sources. The data is organised in a "data cube" format to facilitate rapid access to newly acquired data. By utilising this approach, the project aims to leverage satellite data alongside local data to create a platform supporting urban planners in testing and refining urban development ideas for improved city livability. Through this software, urban planners gain access to a wealth of data and the capability to test novel ideas and strategies for urban development. These strategies consider various factors such as climate change and risks associated with natural disasters like earthquakes, pollution, and heat rays due to climate change, he underlined. This tool will f acilitate learning from the experiences and strategies implemented by other similar cities, providing a platform for gaining insight through shared experiences, TUNSA official added. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse The Sunyani Technical University (STU) has set up a committee to investigate an alleged sex-for-grade scandal published in the media under the heading 'Exposed sex hungry lecturers'. A press release issued by Professor Kwadwo Adinkrah-Appiah, the Vice-Chancellor, a copy of which was sighted by the Ghana News Agency, said the Management was treating the allegation with utmost seriousness. 'The attention of the Management of the University had been drawn to the series of media publications by Mr Owusu Agyekum, a former Student Representative Council President of the institution, alleging sex-for-grades scandal against some lecturers of the University,' it said. Management had swiftly set up a committee to investigate the matter to come up with findings and recommendations for necessary action, it said. The University had strict zero-tolerance policy on all forms of sexual harassment or misconduct and the management would not tolerate any violation of the existing policies on such practices. It assured all stakeholders that any member of the University who would be found capable in those allegations would be sanctioned in line with the provisions of the sexual harassment policy and the disciplinary code of the school. The release appealed to all stakeholders to remain calm as the committee was investigating the matter, assuring that the outcome would be made public, and recommendations thereof implemented as appropriate. Source: Ghana News Agency