Nairobi, Kenya, Monday, 7 October 2019: The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), in its capacity as the Coordination Unit of the Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (RSIF), has signed Partnership Agreements with the Fund’s 11 African Host Universities (AHUs).

The RSIF is the flagship initiative of the Partnership for skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (PASET). Led by African governments, PASET aims to address fundamental gaps in skills and knowledge necessary for long-term, sustained economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Specifically, RSIF aims to train at least 10,000 PhDs in 10 years, while also strengthening research and innovation in applied sciences, engineering and technology (ASET). The initiative is currently funded by contributions from African governments, the World Bank and the Government of Korea.

The AHUs are competitively and rigorously selected universities, research institutes or centres based in Africa that offer a PhD programme in any one of the RSIF priority thematic areas. The universities host RSIF PhD scholars, and partner with icipe in capacity building. They also receive grants for research and innovation from RSIF.
The signing of the Partnership Agreements was officiated by the Ministry of Education, Kenya (currently the Chair of the Governing Council of PASET). The meeting participants were Vice Chancellors of the 10 RSIF AHUs, representatives of the PASET Executive Board, the Consultative Advisory Group, the World Bank, the Ministry of Education Kenya, icipe staff, and various high-level delegates.

Significant milestone
“The Partnership Agreements between icipe and the AHUs marks a significant milestone towards realising the goals of RSIF, arguably Africa’s most innovative and ambitious effort towards strengthening capacity in ASET,” noted Prof. Aminata Sall Diallo, chairperson PASET Executive Board.

“We now have a framework that will enable the AHUs to benefit fully from opportunities available through RSIF, including accessing young scientific talent, grants, and various opportunities to strengthen PhD training.”
Moreover, the structure will inform efforts by the AHUs to partner with stringently chosen international institutions in their areas of expertise, where RSIF scholars may conduct part of their studies. This process will lead to a network system that ensures collaborative and innovative research, and the highest level of mentorship for the emerging scientists and researchers by leading local and global experts.

“RSIF is strongly positioned to support the continent’s concerted goals of achieving inclusive and sustainable development,” said Dr Segenet Kelemu, Director General & CEO, icipe.

She added: “As the Regional Coordination Unit, it is important to have formal basis for collaboration with AHUs, to comprehensively and effectively bring together various facets that will ultimately contribute to the overall vision of RSIF.”

icipe’s mandate includes supporting strengthening the capacity of the AHUs and partnering institutions to manage PhD scholarships, and to conduct research and innovation in the priority sectors. In addition, icipe  facilitates the creation of partnerships with governments, universities and national and international research organisations for research training, for example through sandwich training and collaboration with centres of excellence.

Notes for Editors
The Partnership for skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (PASET) is an Africa-led initiative with the objective of strengthening the science, technology and engineering capability in sub-Saharan Africa to further its socio-economic transformation. Led by African governments, PASET champions a regional approach which complements individual country efforts. It functions as a convening platform by bringing together African governments, the private sector, and new partners, such as Brazil, China, India, and Korea, to invest in Africa. Overall, PASET focuses on maximizing investment in key sectors, while increasing the capacity of universities, research centers and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) centers to generate knowledge and create skilled workforces, researchers and innovators relevant to Africa’s development challenges.

Further information: http://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/paset

The Regional Scholarship Innovation Fund (RSIF), the flagship initiative of PASET, aims to respond to prevailing opportunities and challenges in SSA by reinforcing doctoral training in ASET through a virtuous circle that will increase the number of PhD graduates and the quality of higher education through stronger faculty. A competitive grants scheme, RSIF has two components: (i) a general fund, which supports PhD training, research and innovation projects and (ii) a permanent or endowment fund, whose proceeds will be channeled into the general fund. Further information: https://www.rsif-paset.org/

As the Regional Coordination Unit (RCU) of RSIF, the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (www.icipe.org), has a mandate that includes overall coordination planning, monitoring and evaluation of RSIF activities. Specifically, icipe  manages the two RSIF funds; strengthens the capacity of universities and partnering institutions to train PhDs, and to facilitates research and innovation in the PASET priority sectors.Further information: http://www.icipe.org/news/icipe-manage-regional-doctoral-training-research-and-innovation-fund

Current RSIF African Host Universities
ICTs including big data and artificial intelligence 

• University of Gaston Berger, Senegal (Africa Center of Excellence for Mathematics, Informatics, and ICT);
• University of Rwanda (Africa Center of Excellence in Internet of Things – ACEIoT).

Food security and agribusiness

• University of Ghana (Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness);
• Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania (Africa Center of Excellence for Infectious Diseases of Humans & Animals in Southern & Eastern Africa -SACIDS).

Minerals, mining and materials engineering

• African University of Science and Technology (Pan African Materials Institute), Abuja, Nigeria.
• Kenyatta University, Kenya (Department of Physics);
• Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, Tanzania (Africa Centre of Excellent in Water Infrastructure and Sustainable Energy Futures – WISE-Futures).

Energy including renewables

• University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria (Africa Center of Excellence in Oilfield Chemicals Research – ACE-CEFOR);
• University of Nairobi, Kenya (Department of Physics).

Climate change

• University Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Côte D’ivoire (Africa Center of Excellence for Climate Change Biodiversity and Sustainable Agriculture);
• Bayero University, Nigeria (Africa Centre of Excellence in Dryland Agriculture)

Nairobi, Kenya – On Monday, 7 October, the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), will host a high level discussion forum on strengthening Africa’s capacity in applied sciences, engineering and technology (ASET).

The Centre is convening the forum in its capacity as the Regional Coordination Unit (RCU) of the Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (RSIF), the flagship programme of the Partnership for skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (PASET). An initiative by African governments, PASET aims to address fundamental gaps in skills and knowledge necessary for long-term, sustained economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).
Specifically, the forum aims to conduct an analysis of 10 RSIF African Host Universities (AHUs).  These institutions were competitively chosen for their expertise in thematic areas identified by PASET as critical to Africa’s development. The goal is to determine relevant interventions to reinforce the potential of the AHUs in nurturing world class capacity.

The event will be attended by Vice-Chancellors of the 10 RSIF AHUs, representatives of the PASET Executive Board, the Consultative Advisory Group, the World Bank, the Ministry of Education Kenya, and various high-level delegates.

We invite you to the opening ceremony of the forum to be officiated by Hon. Prof. George A. O. Magoha, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Education, Kenya; Chair PASET Governing Council, 9.00 – 9.30 am.
This will be followed by a signing ceremony of Partnership Agreements between 10 PASET-RSIF AHUs and icipe,  from 11:00 am – 12:00 noon. This agreement gives the AHUs a chance to benefit from the research and innovation grant windows of the RSIF, and access opportunities for strengthening the design and management of PhD programmes and partnerships with world class research institutions.

For more information, please contact:
Dr. Liz Ng’ang’a lnganga@icipe.org
Pauline Achoka pachoka@icipe.org

The Partnership for skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (PASET) Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (RSIF) Regional Coordination Unit, together with the World Bank organised a visit for representatives from African Universities from the RSIF [1]and Academic Centres of Excellence (ACE[2]) programs to visit the Keio University Graduate School of System Design and Management (Keio SDM) on the 2^nd of September, 2019. The group of 16 participants included representatives from Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria Ghana, Burkina Faso, and Malawi. They were accompanied by representatives from the PASET Executive Board, the World Bank and icipe (RSIF’s Regional Coordination Unit). The visit was organised to facilitate partnerships between PASET RSIF and ACE Programs with Japanese universities and businesses which is pivotal for the development of human capital and building excellence in research and innovation within African universities.

Keio SDM pursues problem-solving with a . This is a program that enables learners to seek solutions to complex issues by considering social needs and incorporating technologies. The Keio Universities Innovation Program – “The EDGE”’ is arguably one of the best programs in the world focusing on system design or design thinking. The program focuses on value creation in an innovative thinking approach and nurturing entrepreneurship in the global context. Faculty from the participating universities were able to learn more about the application of system design thinking in coming up with innovative technologies for solving both global and local social issues within their context.

Additionally, the team learned about innovative technologies that the Graduate school of System Design and Management at Keio University (Keio SDM) has developed from the use of satellite data and remote sensing as well as engaging in discussions with potential customers to understand their actual challenges and the applicability of the proposed solution.

‘This program not only helps to build an entrepreneurial mindset but also helps one become system minded and comfortable with design approaches to innovative solutions to social needs in society’ Prof. Kohtake, Keio SDM.
He also noted that systems thinking /design thinking is often not taught in many of our universities and yet an important way to enhance the efficiency of systems.

The team explored partnership opportunities with the innovation program with individual universities and under the umbrella of PASET RSIF and ACE programs. Led by African Governments and facilitated by the World Bank, PASET RSIF aims to sustainably build doctoral training and research and innovation environments in Africa with a focus on 11 selected African host university universities.

[1] University of Nairobi; Kenyatta University; University of Ghana; Bayero University; Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology; and Sokoine University of Agriculture.
[2] International Institute for Water and Environmental Engineering (2IE); Kwame Nkurumah University of Science and Technology, Regional Water and Environmental Sanitation Centre Kumasi (RWESCK); Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resource (LUANAR Africa Centre of Excellence in Aquaculture and Fisheries Science).

RSIF Institutional Capacity Building Program (RSIF- ICBP)
The Partnership for skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (PASET) is an Africa-led initiative to strengthen skills in ASET fields in order to further socio-economic transformation in sub- Saharan Africa (SSA). The Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (RSIF) is the flagship program of PASET. The primary objective of RSIF is to strengthen institutional capacity for quality and sustainable doctoral training, research and innovation in transformative technologies in sub- Saharan Africa.

RSIF is anchored on three complimentary Windows:

• Window 1 supports financing of 3 to 4-year scholarships for PhD training in the selected RSIF African Host Universities;
• Window 2 supports grants for research awarded to faculty engaged in PhD training in African Host Universities and to RSIF graduates who obtain a post-doctoral or permanent position in academic institutions or research centre in SSA; and
• Window 3 supports innovation grants awarded to RSIF scholars and faculty who submit joint innovative project proposals with private companies.

The grants are awarded competitively and aim to complement the PhD training offered to scholars by supporting knowledge generation, promoting scientific excellence and encouraging the use of knowledge for development impact.

The RSIF Institutional Capacity Building Program (RSIF- ICBP), is part of Window 3 and provides grants to assist RSIF African Host Universities to develop innovation-enabling environments and to encourage capacity building for innovation and entrepreneurship development. The program will promotes the development of strategic policy documents related to innovation and commercialization in order to create a stimulating environment for successful university-industry partnerships. Furthermore, it will reinforce the development of an institutional framework to enhance the innovation ecosystem within the university by:

1. Aiding in the development of strategic policy documents related to innovation and commercialization of knowledge.
2. Strengthening the human resource and development skills of researchers.
3. Encouraging the establishment of collaborations with business incubators, accelerators, technology hubs and private sector companies in PASET priority areas, and
4. Supporting the institutionalization of RSIF Host Universities and building their research and innovation-oriented capacities through collaboration with experienced international partners.

In this round of the ICBP, RSIF will award competitively a maximum of 6 grants with budget ceiling per grant of up to $50,000. The grants will be implemented for a maximum period of 2 years.
Eligible Partners

• RSIF African Host Universities as lead applicants (see rsif-paset.org for more information).
• Private sector companies, business incubators, accelerators or technology hubs.
• International partners (preferably with experience in innovation capacity development and commercialization of knowledge).

Deadline for receipt of proposals is September 30, 2019, midnight East African Time.
The full Call for Proposals and related information on how to submit proposals and relevant templates can be accessed at https://www.rsif-paset.org .

For further information, please contact:
The RSIF Regional Coordination Unit
International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe)
Phone: +254 (20) 8632000
Att: Ms. Cynthia Orang’o, Research and Innovation Grants Officer
Email: rsifgrants@icipe.org[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

On July 11, 2019, icipe was honored to host members of the Committee of Education, Research and Technology Assessment of the German Federal Parliament. icipe has several collaborations with Germany including through the German Academic Exchange Services (DAAD), focused on providing PhD level capacity building through icipe’s African Regional Postgraduate Programme in Insect Sciences (ARPPIS); and more recently the Max Planck Partner Group that supports high quality international research partnerships.

The Delegation had the opportunity to learn about icipe’s work and more specifically the Regional Scholarship and Innovations Fund (RSIF), a flagship project of the Partnership for Applied Science, Engineering and Technology (PASET). RSIF aims to strengthen training, research and innovation environments at selected African Universities in PASET priority areas and enhance the generation of transformative technologies that respond to African problems and ultimately contribute to the economic growth of Sub Saharan African Countries.

The Parliamentarians noted PASET Priority thematic areas and the opportunities that exist for collaboration between Germany and Africa specifically in the area of ICTs including big data, robotics, and artificial intelligence which hold strong promise for Africa’s development. Ms. Anke Domscheit-Berg, the Spokeswoman for the Left Party Parliamentary Group on the Committee on Digital Agenda and Group’s spokeswoman on internet policy highlighted the importance of using digital technologies to revolutionize production techniques to reduce the cost of labour, turnaround time and increased production in major sectors of Africa’s economy especially food production.

In addition the parliamentarians emphasized the need to enhance collaboration with German universities, research institutions and the private sector to increase knowledge generation to solve Africa’s challenges.

Visit www.rsif-paset.org for more information about PASET RSIF.

PASET is an African government-led initiative created to accelerate building of a scientific and technically skilled labor force by focusing on the continuum of skills from foundational skills to upper secondary/technical/vocational training as well as higher education, scientific research and innovation. icipe was appointed the Regional Coordination Unit for the Fund and is responsible for project implementation. PASET Priority Thematic Areas are: (a)ICTs including big data and artificial intelligence; (b)food security and agribusiness; (c)minerals, mining and materials engineering; (d)energy including renewables; and (e) climate change

Press Release

26 June 2019

Major scholarship opportunity for African scientists

PASET-RSIF, Africa’s most innovative doctoral training initiative,  announces Call for PhD funding

This opportunity is provided by the Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (RSIF), the flagship programme of the Partnership for skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (PASET). An initiative by African governments, PASET aims to address fundamental gaps in skills and knowledge necessary for long-term, sustained economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

African scientists interested in pursuing doctoral training in applied sciences, engineering and technology (ASET), have a chance to access fully funded scholarships, tenable in selected African universities in collaboration with highly recognised international institutions.

RSIF aims to support PhD training, research and innovation, towards creating much needed technical and scientific capacity for the advancement and use of transformative technologies for development in Africa. The initiative is currently funded by contributions from African governments, the World Bank and the Government of Korea; with the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) serving as the Regional Coordination Unit (RCU).
In a call for applications announced on 14 June 2019 with a closing date of 22 July 2019, RSIF is availing 45 scholarships in five thematic areas identified by PASET as priority economic sectors for growth and development in Africa: information communication technologies (ICTs), including big data and artificial intelligence; food security and agribusiness; minerals, mining and materials engineering; energy including renewables; and climate change.
Scholars will be enrolled in one of the following 10 competitively chosen African institutions:
ICTs including big data and artificial intelligence 

• University of Gaston Berger, Senegal (Africa Center of Excellence for Mathematics, Informatics, and ICT);
• University of Rwanda (Africa Center of Excellence in Internet of Things – ACEIoT).

Food security and agribusiness

• University of Ghana (Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness);
• Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania (Africa Center of Excellence for Infectious Diseases of Humans & Animals in Southern & Eastern Africa -SACIDS).

Minerals, mining and materials engineering

• Kenyatta University, Kenya (Department of Physics);
• Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, Tanzania (Africa Centre of Excellent in Water Infrastructure and Sustainable Energy Futures – WISE-Futures).

Energy including renewables

• University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria (Africa Center of Excellence in Oilfield Chemicals Research – ACE-CEFOR);
• University of Nairobi, Kenya (Department of Physics).

Climate change

• University Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Côte D’ivoire (Africa Center of Excellence for Climate Change Biodiversity and Sustainable Agriculture);
• Bayero University, Nigeria (Africa Centre of Excellence in Dryland Agriculture)

In addition, the scholars will conduct part of their research in international organisations, where they will collaborate and be mentored by leading global experts in their fields of study.
Complete details regarding the RSIF scholarships are available at: http://www.icipe.org/content/rsif-phd-scholarships

Notes for Editors

The Partnership for skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (PASET) is an Africa-led initiative with the objective of strengthening the science, technology and engineering capability in sub-Saharan Africa to further its socio-economic transformation. Led by African governments, PASET champions a regional approach which complements individual country efforts. It functions as a convening platform by bringing together African governments, the private sector, and new partners, such as Brazil, China, India, and Korea, to invest in Africa. Overall, PASET focuses on maximizing investment in key sectors, while increasing the capacity of universities, research centers and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) centers to generate knowledge and create skilled workforces, researchers and innovators relevant to Africa’s development challenges. Further information: http://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/paset

The Regional Scholarship Innovation Fund (RSIF), the flagship initiative of PASET, aims to respond to prevailing opportunities and challenges in SSA by reinforcing doctoral training in ASET through a virtuous circle that will increase the number of PhD graduates and the quality of higher education through stronger faculty. A competitive grants scheme, RSIF has two components: (i) a general fund, which supports PhD training, research and innovation projects and (ii) a permanent or endowment fund, whose proceeds will be channeled into the general fund. Further information: https://www.rsif-paset.org/
 As the Regional Coordination Unit (RCU) of RSIF, the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (www.icipe.org), has a mandate that includes overall coordination planning, monitoring and evaluation of RSIF activities. Specifically, icipe  manages the two RSIF funds; strengthens the capacity of universities and partnering institutions to train PhDs, and to facilitates research and innovation in the PASET priority sectors.Further information: http://www.icipe.org/news/icipe-manage-regional-doctoral-training-research-and-innovation-fund

Contacts
The Manager, RSIF RCU
International Centre of Physiology and Ecology (icipe) P.O. Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, Kenya; Tel +254 (20) 8632000. Email: rsif@icipe.org www.icipe.org | www.rsif-paset.org
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