NEWS AROUND THE WORLD BRAZIL The Bee Research Group of Universidade Federal do Ceará was created in 1996 by Dr Breno Magalhães Freitas under the name Bee-Plant interactions for pollination and production. It is registered in the Brazilian National Directory of Research Groups CNPq. This Group carries out research related to a variety of social and solitary bee species and correlated subjects. Its members are also involved in teaching and supervising undergraduate and graduate students of biology, agronomy and animal science and extension activities in their areas of knowledge. Researchers are lecturers and students belonging to the Departments of Biology, Plant Science and Animal Science of Universidade Federal do Ceará, Universidade Estadual do Vale do Acaraú, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Queen's University Belfast (UK) and one researcher from EMBRAPA/CNPAT (Brazilian National Research Centre in Tropical Agroindustry). The Group has successfully reared colonies of Melipona quinquefasciata in hives kept above ground. The occurrence of this species in north-east Brazil was unknown until its discovery by the Group in the plateaus of Araripe and Ibiapaba (state of Ceará) in 2000. More information at www.abelhas.ufc.br
CAMEROON
Bees for Development Journal
IRAN/POLAND
Congratulations to Professor Jerzy Woyke of the Agricultural University in Warsaw, Poland who has been chosen as the winner of the 15th Khwarizmi Award. Abu Jafar Mohammad Ibn Mousa Khwarizmi was a famous mathematician and astronomer who lived from 770-840 AD. In 1988 The Iranian Research Organization for Science & Technology proposed the Award in memory of this great scientist. The Prize is given to persons who offer an extraordinary contribution to the development of agriculture, engineering, medicine or science. Out of 200 worldwide projects Professor Woyke received the Award for his contribution to the science and practice of apiculture and was recognised for his research on honeybee biology, reproduction and sex determination. His work on Asian honeybees was noted, as well as his investigations into the biology and control of the parasitic mite Tropilaelaps clareae. This is the first time that the Award has recognised apiculture.
Jean-Paul Kemgang sent this picture of 'Apiculture Binum' at work. Jean-Paul explains that Members of the Association join together to buy wood and the Association undertakes hive construction for no charge.
KENYA
© Jonathan Lelgo
Jonathan Lelgo provides Pandaptai Beekeeping & Agroforestry Project participants with information on bee husbandry. The Project uses frame and top-bar hives. 11
68
news around the world
NEWS AROUND THE WORLD
