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Published by Communications and Public Affairs 519 824-4120, Ext. 56982 or 53338


News Release

March 22, 2007

International African Inventors Museum Coming to Campus

A collection of African inventions will be on display March 29 and 30 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the University Centre courtyard. The mobile museum highlights inventions by people of African descent, such as the egg beater, the lawn mower and the bike frame.

“The exhibit is an opportunity to highlight the many accomplishments that have come out of Africa,” said Judy Winkup, a local elementary school teacher who helped organize the event. “There are a lot of inventions that we use every day and may not think about where they came from or who invented them.”

A number of inventors are featured as part of the hands-on exhibit, including University of Guelph professor emeritus Carlton Gyles. The pathobiologist is one of the world’s leading experts on E.coli and was among the first researchers to pinpoint how a toxin produced by E.coli could cause illness in pigs.

“I am very honoured to be part of such an exhibit,” Gyles said.

The museum was founded in 1988 and has travelled nationally and internationally. It is now owned by Francis and Denise Jeffers, whose daughter, Asha, attends the University of Guelph.

The two-day exhibit will also feature nightly workshops and lectures related to African accomplishments and culture.

On March 29, a spoken-word workshop will be led by University of Guelph graduate Eli Bamfo at 5:30 p.m. in room 441 of the University Centre. At 7 p.m., Francis Jeffers will give a lecture titled “Contributions and Inventions of African Canadians to Science and Technology” in the same room.

On March 30, Fulé Badoe will give a drumming workshop at 5:30 p.m. in University Centre 103. At 7:30 p.m., Akwatu Khenti will discuss “A Living History of African People” in the same room.

The workshops are open to the public and cost $5 for general admission and $2 for students. Both lectures are free and open to the public.

For more information on the event contact Judy Winkup at jlwnk@yahoo.com

For media questions, contact Communications and Public Affairs: Lori Bona Hunt, 519-824-4120, Ext. 53338, or Deirdre Healey, Ext. 56982.


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