June 27, 2024

Fortrea Launches AI Innovation Studio to Galvanize Technology and Human Solutions to Improve Clinical Trial Delivery

DURHAM, N.C., June 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Fortrea (Nasdaq: FTRE), a leading global contract research organization (CRO), today announced the launch of its artificial intelligence (AI) Innovation Studio, signaling a strategic investment in reshaping the execution of clinical trials today and into the future.

The studio will develop and deploy AI and machine learning (ML) technologies to drive speed, agility, quality and enhanced patient safety in the clinical research process by equipping and empowering people to focus on the critical human element of clinical trials.

“Patients around the world are waiting for novel, life-changing treatments. With AI, we now have the power—and the obligation—to help deliver solutions to them faster,” said Fortrea’s Chief Information Officer Alejandro Martinez Galindo.

“Fortrea’s AI Innovation Studio will enable enhanced technological capabilities that will allow AI-enabled systems to perform cutting-edge processes—such as trial simulations, predictive analytics and pattern recognition—as well as repetitive, administrative, ‘machine-friendly tasks’. This frees up people to contribute human creativity and connection to the clinical trial of tomorrow and focus on what counts: the patient.”

Fortrea’s AI Innovation Studio aims to:

Partner across Fortrea and with our customers to provide technology solutions for bespoke site and sponsor innovation strategies;
Develop net new, greenfield technology innovations that holistically improve the delivery of clinical trials for sponsors, sites, patients and our teams; and
Support existing infrastructure and operations with enhanced technology to enable new, improved ways of working and create best-in-class user experiences.

Technologies under development in the studio include smartphone-enabled data collection; specialized large language models for text comprehension and generation; symbolic AI with real-valued logic (i.e., building decision logic using real-world scenarios and data); mixed reality and augmented intelligence; advanced data mining and predictive analytics; and digital twinning.

Strategic application of these technologies is expected to result in meaningful advancements in patient recruitment and retention, protocol creation/optimization, risk-based quality monitoring and overall delivery speed and quality. These technologies can also deliver an improved patient experience and greater productivity for Fortrea customers, sites and employees.

Developments from the AI Innovation Studio will be critical to Fortrea’s clinical technology platform, which is being designed to integrate clinical trial technology into a consumer-grade, location-agnostic, omni-channel, persona-based experience accessible thorough a single screen.

“Fortrea is focused on a future vision of the CRO industry, allowing us to build TO the future rather than FROM the past,” said Brian Dolan, Vice President of Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning. “We are exercising great care and consideration to the responsible and ethical development and deployment of AI, prioritizing doing the right thing for the right reasons and protecting patient safety and privacy, and the intellectual property of our customers.”

About Fortrea
Fortrea (Nasdaq: FTRE) is a leading global provider of clinical development solutions to the life sciences industry. We partner with emerging and large biopharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device and diagnostic companies to drive healthcare innovation that accelerates life-changing therapies to patients. Fortrea provides phase I-IV clinical trial management, clinical pharmacology and consulting services. Fortrea’s solutions leverage three decades of experience spanning more than 20 therapeutic areas, a passion for scientific rigor, exceptional insights and a strong investigator site network. Our talented and diverse team working in more than 90 countries is scaled to deliver focused and agile solutions to customers globally. Learn more about how Fortrea is becoming a transformative force from pipeline to patient at Fortrea.com and follow us on LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter).

Fortrea Contacts:
Hima Inguva (Investors) – 877-495-0816, hima.inguva@fortrea.com
Jennifer Minx (Media) – 919-410-4195, media@fortrea.com
Kate Dillon (Media) – 646-818-9115, kdillon@prosek.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 9170022

June 27, 2024

Ministry Equipping Youth With Knowledge, Skills To Drive Sustainable Development

The government is equipping the young generation with the requisite knowledge, skills and values to drive resilience and sustainable development in the wake of challenges posed by climate change phenomenon.

State Department for Higher Education and Research Principal Secretary Dr. Beatrice Inyangala has said the education curriculum, teacher training, research, innovation and community engagements are all part of integrating climate education including the science of climate change and the social dimensions of impacts of climate change.

Speaking during the official opening of the Nairobi Summer School on Climate Justice at Chuka University yesterday, Dr. Inyangala said the Ministry of Education is investing in the training of educators to effectively deliver knowledge, practical skills and technologies in climate adaptation, sustainability and resilience.

‘Universities and research institutions are at the forefront of climate research, developing innovative solutions to mitigate and adapt to climate change
.

We have adopted a whole-of-government approach to stimulate partnerships between schools, universities and local communities to implement practical projects that promote environmental conservation and climate resilience,’ Dr. Inyangala said.

The Fourth Cohort of the annual Nairobi Summer School on Climate Justice has brought together a variety of climate justice actors, civil servants, diplomats, researchers and innovators, civil society, activists, scholars, community level activists, youth leaders and students majorly drawn from Africa, Latin America, USA, Europe and Asia representing over 87 countries in the world.

The International Symposium will engage the attendees in a two-week intensive training and discussion.

‘It is gratifying to note that the youth are right at the center of this timely discussion, a discussion that focuses on their future in a world that is grappling with the impact of a climate crisis as well as other geo-political and socio-economic intricacies,’ Dr. Inyangala said.

The P
S noted that climate change is not only an environmental issue and that it is a matter of justice, equity and human rights acknowledging that impacts of climate change are being felt by countries which have contributed least to the problem particularly developing nations like Kenya.

She said that the country had made significant milestones, indicating that Kenya has over the years emerged as a leader in climate action both in Africa and globally.

‘From prolonged drought, to unpredictable weather patterns, the effects of climate change are sadly very severe and have far reaching consequences on our livelihoods. Our commitment to sustainable development and environmental conversation cannot be over emphasized,’ Dr Inyangala said.

The International Symposium hopes to tap into the potential of the youth voices, innovations and transformative solutions, embedded in emerging technologies to green the world and is a cornerstone for the drive for change, serving as an incubator for innovative ideas and interactive
experiences that foster a deeper understanding of climate justice and inspire collective action.

Present at the ceremony included Jacqueline Amongin – Member of Parliament (East Africa Legislative Assembly), Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Kenya, Sultan Hjiyev, Chuka University Vice Chancellor Prof Henry Mutembei and Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) Executive Director Mithika Mwenda.

Source: Kenya News Agency

June 27, 2024

DP Commends KESSHA, Emphasizes Flexibility In Education System

The Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua has applauded the Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA) for playing a critical role in providing state agencies with valuable information that guides strategic interventions, especially as the implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) is underway.

This collaboration, he said, ensures that the education sector can effectively address emerging challenges and improve the quality of education for secondary school students across Kenya.

Speaking at the 47th Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA) Annual National Conference, the Deputy President emphasized the importance of flexibility in the education system, noting that significant challenges will arise in the future if the system is not adaptable.

Competence-Based Curriculum (CBC) has been noted to be the best for the coming generations as it is designed to be student-centered, flexible, and inclusive.

‘This conference is focused on 3 pathways of the CBC system including social scie
nces, arts and sports, and science and technology, engineering and mathematics. With a particular focus on the 3 pathways, we want an education that generates job creators and not job seekers,’ added the DP.

In addition, the DP said that the government has identified junior secondary and senior secondary schools as a crucial stepping stone of modeling the student in professionally desired ways and hence the government has various representations of the national government in better preparation for the rollout of senior secondary school.

He also highlighted that the government is investing more in expanding Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions across the country to complement universities by providing a seamless transition from secondary schools for students who are firmly established in their chosen pathways.

By increasing the number of TVETs, the government seeks to ensure that students have diverse options for higher education and skills development, aligning with their int
erests and career goals.

‘Since we want the TVETS to deliver, we are set to employ 2,000 more tutors in the 2023/2024 financial year to bridge the capacity gap,’ said Gachagua.

Furthermore, he noted that the government has continued to invest in the TVETS because of their potential to create jobs, especially in the formal sector of our economy which employs over 83% of the people.

The Deputy President also observed a moment of silence for the lives lost during the ongoing protests in the country. This comes after protesters were shot dead after storming and setting ablaze the parliament just after MPs passed the financial bill 2024/2025.

The Principal Secretary for Education, Belio Kipsang urged the school heads to look at situations that will allow the younglings to be part of decision-making in a way that they would want to influence the future.

‘We do not want them to think that we as adults are influencing their future but that we are guiding them into what they can be and do better for this country
and humanity,’ he said.

Kipsang declared that the government acknowledges the diverse talents, interests, and aspirations of learners that offer multiple and personalized pathways or roots that give them opportunities to pursue their uniqueness in learning and life and are adaptive to learning.

‘As we adapt these pathways, it is important that they are tailored to the learning of individual students,’ he added.

Kipsang urged the School Heads to be at the forefront to prepare the young ones to be responsible and accountable for every action they take for the betterment of humanity into the future.

‘Let us give our children an opportunity to map and be part of the mapping of the future. I urge all of us that the education and leadership that we provide in our schools should be student-centered, flexible, and inclusive of nurturing all learners’ potential because they are not the same, we have those living with disabilities and require special ways of being taught and dealt with, he said.

He stated that the
Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) emphasizes the acquisition of competencies and skills. Unlike the previous system, which focused on memorization and knowledge retention, the CBC prioritizes the practical application of knowledge. The future of education lies in what students can do with what they know, preparing them for real-world challenges and opportunities

‘Pathways ensure that we identify the competency and skills of our learners, map out learning objectives, we create modular learning and activities that we can be able to re-enter. It is age-appropriate. It integrates assessments and checkpoints to monitor learners’ progress,’ he said.

He pledged that going into the new year, the government is going to invest heavily in laboratories and science-based learning areas in day schools because they constitute 72 percent of the learning environment in the country.

He addressed the delay in capitation allocation as he pledged that it shall be Sh. 22,000 moving forward.

Source: Kenya News Agency

June 27, 2024

Family Mourns Death Of Son Killed In Protests, Urges State To Dialogue With The Youth

A family in Mombasa is seeking justice after their 20-year-old son tragically lost his life during the anti-finance bill 2024 demonstration.

Emmanuel Giggs Tatta a second-year student at the Meru National University lost his life after inhaling tear gas lobbed by the anti-riot police officers who were trying to disperse protestors at the Mwembe Tayari bus stage.

Paul Tatta, father of the deceased said his son didn’t have any underlying health condition but found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time. Paul travelled to Mombasa to collect fees from his dad and was not in the demonstrations.

The father said he was informed that a tear gas canister fell near him and he started complaining of chest pains before he fainted.

‘I was called from work and rushed him to hospital where he was pronounced dead. I want justice for my son because he is the first and the only boy child,’ said the father. ‘He was teargassed and faint.’

He urges the President to dialogue with the young people who have nothing to los
e but their parents.

‘I have painstakingly educated him only to lose him at 20 years. They would kill me I have lived enough but not a child of 20 years,’ said Emmanuel’s Father.

He described his son as an obedient child and well-grounded in religion as he was a staunch member of the Christian Union.

Daniel Nzamba, Uncle of the deceased said they are saddened by yesterday’s events and their hearts are bleeding as they didn’t expect the death.

Nzamba said Emmanuel had a lot of potential, he was sent home to look for fees his father is a Juakali worker living from hand to mouth and has been paying fees in instalments.

‘Emmanuel is one kid that the family had a lot of expectations in. He was very humble and we all knew he would lift the parents from the juakali life to at least a substantial way of living,’ said Nzamba, appealing to the government to dialogue with the young people.

On his part Director of Muslim for Human Rights (MUHURI) Khelef Khalifa termed the incident as painful for the family.

‘We ar
e all hurt to lose a 20-year-old university student for no apparent reason. Police and the government should learn to respect lives. They have yet to learn the values of lives,’

‘For police to use live ammunition aiming demonstrators it means they aim to shoot and kill, why. What crime have they committed this is not the first or the last case,’ said Khalifa.

He added that the President should use state machinery to nab and take to court people they suspect are funding the demonstrations.

‘If anybody was funded to cause chaos that is a criminal offence take him to court we will see that person,’ he said.

Chairperson of the Coast Civil Society Network for Human Rights (CCSNH) Zedekiah Adika urged the President not to assent to the Finance Bill, 2024 regardless of the timelines.

‘We should not sink the nation because we feel we have to do what we think. Take time and listen to the voices of Kenyans,’ said Adika, calling for thorough investigations on what transpired on Tuesday.

‘The deaths, abductions and
arrests must be done through and in line with the law. What holds us as a nation is the constitution, let’s follow the law.

Do not do writs that will sink this nation including all institutions of security, if you have to call in the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) it must follow the law,’ stated Adika.

Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Coast Representative Elizabeth Wanjeri urge the government and its agencies to be measured in dealing with unarmed protestors.

‘We ask the government that it is high time that they address the issues and stop using a lot of force on the protestors,’ said Wanjeri.