A grant writing workshop kicked off in Nairobi, Kenya on Monday November 25th 2024, organised by the Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (Rsif) at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) bringing together 20 scholars. This training taking place at Utalii Hotel, Nairobi is specifically designed for Rsif postdoctoral fellows and aims to equip them with crucial skills and strategies necessary for developing competitive research grant proposals.
The workshop conducted under the project For Strengthening Doctoral and Post-Doctoral Training in Applied Science, Engineering and Technology in Africa (DOCTAS) and supported by a grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York will focus on various aspects of grant writing, including identifying funding opportunities, crafting compelling narratives, and understanding the essential components of a successful proposal. Participants will also learn how to align their project goals with donor requirements, thereby enhancing their chances of securing funding for their research initiatives.
Participants following the training session attentively. Photo/Sakina Mapenzi
Speaking during the opening of the workshop, Dr Everlyn Nguku, The Head of Capacity Building and Institutional Development at icipe said, “This workshop has been carefully designed to be both practical and interactive. You will not only learn about the essential components of successful grant applications but will also engage in hands-on writing sessions, peer reviews, and receive personalized feedback. By the end of this week, each of you should have developed concrete skills in proposal writing, budget development, and understanding governance and ethical considerations in research funding, as well as have a proposal that should be submitted for funding.”
“As members of the Rsif community, your research potential and its impact on addressing regional challenges is significant. This workshop represents our commitment to supporting your growth as researchers and future research leaders.
I encourage you to fully engage with the program, share your experiences, and take advantage of this opportunity to strengthen your grant writing capabilities,” Dr Nguku stated.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to strengthen research capacity in Africa by empowering researchers with the tools they need to effectively compete for grants. By improving their grant writing skills, the fellows will be better positioned to contribute innovative solutions to local and global challenges through their research endeavours.
Dr Mwende Mbilo, an Rsif Alumna from Kenya who attended the workshop stated that this is not only a learning opportunity but a living experience which is impactful. “I am learning all the steps in grant writing process and what it means to develop a good proposal to help us in advancing our research,” she stated.
On his part Dr Saani Nassam Iddrisu an Rsif alumnus from Ghana said this is a great opportunity to learn about great proposal writing.
“I was excited about learning what to include in a grant proposal especially in identifying team members to work with,” he stated.
The workshop reflects a growing recognition of the importance of funding in advancing scientific research and innovation in Africa, ensuring that researchers are well-prepared to navigate the competitive landscape of grant applications.
As the world gathers for COP29, we want to highlight the work of Rehema Mrutu, a Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (Rsif) scholar, recognized at COP28 in Dubai last year for her research contributions to a sustainable future.
Rehema is a Tanzanian national pursuing a PhD in Natural Resource Management and Climate Change at the Centre of Dryland Agriculture at Bayero University Kano, Nigeria with research placement at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in USA. Rsif is the flagship programme of the Partnership for Skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering, and Technology (PASET), an Africa-led, World Bank-affiliated initiative, managed by the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) as the Regional Coordination Unit. With COP29 upon us, the world looks to build on environmental successes, such as the remarkable recovery of the ozone layer, showing that unified global action can bring real change.
We recently spoke with Rehema about her research and its connection to ozone layer protection—a topic that’s also high on the COP29 agenda:
Q: Can you share your journey and what inspired you to focus on climate change research, particularly in relation to the ozone layer? How has your background shaped your work on these crucial environmental issues?
A: I come from a cow farming family. And I have always been fascinated by any idea that boosted productivity because productive cows paid for my school fees. After my first degree at the University of Dar es Salaam, I pursued research on antimicrobial resistant bacteria in cows at the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST), as a master’s student in Biomedical Engineering. This led to publications that I later presented in a livestock conference. It was during this event that I first heard of the concept of lab meat as a strategy to curb methane– a potent greenhouse gas. This introduced me to the field of climate change and ignited my passion to find more sustainable ways to address the climate crisis while preserving the value of cows.
Because of my background in microbiology and molecular biology, the question then became how can we solve this at a molecular level? After reviewing the literature, I realized cows do not make methane, it’s the tiny little microorganisms called methanogens which are responsible for methane generation. With the help of genetic engineering tools like CRISPR technology I reasoned we could manipulate these organisms to stop producing methane and make other products that will enhance cows’ productivity. So, killing 2 birds with one stone. After three years of unsuccessful applications, I finally received a scholarship to pursue a PhD in a different area- maize fungus. One year into that project, my idea on mitigating cow methane emissions was recognized and funded by Rsif, and I could not think twice.
Q: How did your participation in COP28 impact you on both a personal and professional level? What significance did the recognition of your work hold for your ongoing efforts in climate change research?
A: Being recognized on a global stage like the COP28 in Dubai last year, confirmed that I am on the right path. Beyond the financial support, this recognition has expanded my network, provided access to world-class facilities, and connected me with leading experts in my field. I have had the opportunity to conduct research at prestigious methanogen facilities, such as the University of Connecticut (UConn), USA and Synthetic Biology Lab at Worcester Polytechnique Institute, USA. Additionally, I am now a member of Archaea Hour, a community that connects all archaea labs across America and Europe to facilitate the flow of knowledge, foster research collaborations and support outreach efforts. I’m also part of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, where members contribute significantly to advancing engineering, science, and technology.
Rehema Mrutu in the laboratory.
Q: How has receiving the Rsif scholarship influenced your academic and professional path in climate research? Are there any key opportunities or experiences facilitated by the program that have been particularly instrumental in advancing your work?
A: This project would not have materialized without financial support from Rsif. Having a great idea is one thing, but without funding, it remains just an idea. Rsif has profoundly impacted my life beyond just the academic and professional spheres. The program’s unique structure, which allowed me to study at an African institution (in Nigeria) before undertaking research placements globally (in the USA), has been truly transformative. This experience has profoundly reshaped my perspectives, challenging me to adopt a more balanced and inclusive view of the world.
I have come to understand that solving complex problems, such as climate change, requires diverse perspectives and expertise from various disciplines and backgrounds. Sustainable solutions are built through collaborative efforts that incorporate a wide range of viewpoints and experiences.
Q: In what ways has Rsif’s focus on empowering African scholars helped bring your work to global platforms like COP28? Can you provide examples of how this international exposure has shaped your research and collaborations?
A: For me Rsif set a competitive and inspirational grounds which motivated me to work even harder. When you are given the opportunity to hear the journey of those who have excelled in your research interests, you see possibilities. I am deeply grateful for the Rsif seminars, workshops and trainings where invited guests shared their stories. These experiences broadened my perspective and helped me to develop research ideas that meet global standards.
Q: What is your perspective on the importance of African-led climate research, especially regarding the protection of the ozone layer and other pressing environmental challenges? How does your research contribute to filling those gaps?
A: It is true that African data is missing from the global stage, and Rsif is working to change that by empowering Africans to conduct research within our own contexts. This not only helps fill the gaps in global knowledge but also allows us to make informed decisions on greenhouse gas mitigation strategies tailored to our region. One of my objectives has been to profile microorganisms that directly or indirectly contribute to methane emissions from cows in Tanzania. Due to the limited data from our region, identifying some of these organisms has been challenging, as existing databases are often dominated by information from outside Africa. My research aims to address these gaps. We are currently conducting a global analysis to compare and understand where we stand. Preliminary findings from this work have also provided a solid foundation for our genetic engineering work on methanogens.
Q: How do you see your work contributing to building Africa’s capacity for climate research, particularly in addressing environmental sustainability and the preservation of the ozone layer?
A: My research has generated new insights into the rumen microbiome, paving the way for novel interventions to reduce methane emissions from livestock. The detailed profiles of rumen microorganisms responsible for methane production developed in this study are valuable for microbial-based animal breeding strategies aimed at protecting the ozone layer—contributing to the idea of “green cows.” If the engineered strain we are developing proves successful, it has the potential to extend beyond Africa.
Q: Looking ahead, how do you envision Rsif and similar initiatives shaping the future of climate research in Africa? How has being part of this program empowered you as a young scholar in this space?
A: As an Rsif awardee, I envision Rsif and similar initiatives playing a transformative role in shaping the future of climate research in Africa by fostering a new generation of scientists who are equipped with the skills, resources, and networks needed to address our continent’s unique climate challenges. Rsif’s focus on advanced training, collaboration, and research within Africa, combined with international exposure, is creating a dynamic research environment that encourages innovative, locally relevant solutions. By supporting high-impact research in areas like climate change and environmental sustainability, Rsif is helping to build a solid foundation for evidence-based policy-making and sustainable development across Africa.
The Regional Scholarship Innovation Fund (Rsif) Regional Coordination Unit International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) conducted a physical monitoring and evaluation field visit to Kenyatta University (KU), located in Kenya’s capital Nairobi. KU is one of the 15 Rsif African Host Universities (AHU).
The visit’s purpose was to discuss the implementation status and the progress of the PASET-Rsif funded PhD students of Material Science and Engineering at the Physics department of the university. The AHUs host Rsif sponsored PhD scholars in five priority thematic areas, including ICT including big data and artificial intelligence, Food security and agri-business, Minerals, mining and materials engineering, Energy including renewables and Climate change within the universities. They also undertake projects with support from the research and innovation grants.
There were also updates from the faculty on the performance of the research and Innovation projects funded by Rsif. Scholars were also given the opportunity to discuss any challenges experienced and remedial actions were put in place.
Kenyatta University Deputy Vice Chancellor Prof Caroline Thoruwa during the meeting with Rsif team.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof Caroline Thoruwa hailed the model of sandwich placement which she said works well since it gives the students an opportunity to visit other labs across the world.
“The collaboration with icipe goes for many years and is something we are happy about since this programme makes our students very visible,” Prof Thoruwa stated.
“It is an amazing programme since the students get exposed to the best mentoring opportunity. We are looking forward to strengthening this collaboration,” she added.
Rsif Regional Coordination Unit International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) team following presentation when they visited Kenyatta University, one of the 15 African Host Universities ( AHU)
Speaking during the meeting, the Executive Dean in the School of Pure and Applied Sciences Dr Mathew P. Ngugi stated that “The research the students do make impact in the community level and it can be translated to improve lives.”
Dr Walter Njoroge who is Rsif AHU coordinator Physics Department, stated that their dream is to make physics department a centre of excellence and they are on course as far as Rsif scholars progress is concerned.
“About five of our Rsif scholars will be graduating next year and members of staff in the physics department are doing their best. The material science students will graduate on time.
Kenyatta University faculty members follow proceedings of the meeting with Rsif team when they visited the institution.
Prof Raphael Nyenge, Chairperson, the Chairperson Physics Department said, “We channelled the innovation grant in the direction of cancer and diabetes research, and it will be a game changer in people’s lives.”
On his part Dr Julius Ecuru, Manager for Rsif Regional Coordination Units at icipe thanked Kenyatta University for the partnership, adding that their efforts to ensure quality PhD graduates is commendable.
“So far, Rsif has 282 scholars registered in the 15 AHUs. He added that Rsif has 32 international partner institutes across the world. “What we look forward to is closing the skills gap in applied sciences and engineering and PhD is one of the gateways to achieving that,” Dr Ecuru stated.
“Three things we look out for are quality of our scholars to be well rounded and competitive in the labour market; Timely completion of their studies within the stipulated time; and connecting their research with industry,” he highlighted.
He also mentioned that Government of Kenya gave additional funds towards the programme.
Dr Evelyn Nguku who is the capacity-building specialist, stated that Rsif is looking forward to taking the collaboration further into research led networks.
“We already have existing partnerships with KU and they have partnerships in the US, Europe and South Korea through the sandwich placement programme. So, this needs to be taken further to strengthen the research capacity. ”
More visits are expected to continue to other Rsif AHUs.
Maputo, Mozambique – A pivotal symposium was recently held at the University of Eduardo Mondlane (UEM) in Mozambique’s capital, Maputo, to address the urgent need to strengthen PhD programmes and research collaborations aimed at tackling escalating food insecurity exacerbated by climate change.
The event which was organised by the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) – the Regional Coordination Unit for the Africa Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund for Applied Sciences, Engineering, and Technology (Rsif) – in collaboration with UEM’s African Centre of Excellence in Agri-Food Systems and Nutrition, brought together leading scholars, researchers and policy makers across Africa.
Themed “Building Resilient Agrifood Systems and Climate Action in Mozambique,” the symposium convened academics and researchers from Mozambique and Rsif African Host Universities (AHUs) with PhD programmes in food security – Sokoine University of Agriculture ( Tanzania), University of Ghana (Ghana), Makerere University (Uganda), and Haramaya University (Ethiopia) – to collectively share climate mitigation and adaptation strategies to improve food production, pest control, and environmental sustainability. Rsif has enrolled 282 PhD students since 2018 in 15 AHUs, with 33.69 % undertaking PhD studies in food security and climate change.
With a report from Food and Agriculture Organisation raising a red flag that over 282 million people across Africa are facing food insecurity, worsened by climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic, initiatives like Rsif play an important role in building resilient agrifood systems and addressing Africa’s skills gap in agriculture and climate science.
Keynote Insights and Future Directions
Dr. Rachida Mamade, Director of the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Higher Education, highlighted that Mozambique’s Government, through the MozSkills project, has pledged substantial resources to PhD training and innovation in agriculture, aiming to foster a skilled workforce capable of driving agricultural transformation.
Dr. Mamade remarked, “The support from Rsif and MozSkills is pivotal in creating sustainable solutions for Mozambique’s future.”
The symposium showcased UEM’s recent PhD programmes, focusing on pest management, microbial contamination in crops, and nutritional enhancements in soybeans and maize – all important for strengthening Mozambique’s agricultural resilience which in turn would boost food security for the citizenry.
On her part, Dr Ana Menezes, from The World Bank hailed the efforts of Rsif and the MozSkills project in advancing doctoral training and research capacity in Mozambique.
“The collaboration between Rsif African Host Universities and Mozambican institutions like the University Eduardo Mondlane is critical for addressing pressing challenges in food security and climate resilience. By working together, we can build stronger research ecosystems that not only benefit Mozambique but also contribute to sustainable development across Africa,” Dr Menezes said.
Dr Julius Ecuru, Manager, Research and Innovation Coordination Units at icipe, underscored the crucial role of such partnerships in equipping students with the skills needed to become independent scientists who contribute to their countries’ development. “With access to top facilities and diverse academic cultures, our students are globally competitive and can make significant contributions upon returning home,” Dr Ecuru stated.
The participants at the symposium also pointed out critical challenges in PhD training, including delayed graduation due to weak student- supervisor relationships, weak mentorship, low employability of PhD graduates and few post-doctoral programmes.
In tackling the challenges mentioned, the symposium participants proposed various recommendations to establish capacity building workshops, continuous mile stone tracking for the purpose of accountability and supervisor seminars to improve PhD completion timeline.
Group discussions during the symposium.
Besides a proposal to buttress university incubation centres to help PhD students commercialize their research, employers were also urged to recognize the diverse skillset PhD graduates have. Furthermore, participants highlighted the need for dedicated resources to establish postdoctoral and mentorship programmes and emphasized the importance of enhancing student and faculty mobility through international research collaborations.
The symposium discussed and agreed to work together to address challenges in fostering research collaboration, particularly poor research infrastructure and the weak link between research and industry needs. Universities were urged to allocate more funds to improve research facilities and leverage development grants to procure essential equipment. It was recommended that PhD programmes aim to solve real-world industry problems, with curricula updated to align with industry demands. Strengthening partnerships with industry and technical vocational institutes (TVETs) was also emphasized to enhance mentorship and provide PhD students with access to specialised resources and equipment.
Looking Ahead
The symposium set a strong foundation for continued collaboration between Rsif AHUs and UEM, aiming to grow this into a formidable network of African universities with globally recognised PhD programmes in agricultural and food systems and climate action.
The event provided a clear roadmap for strengthening doctoral training and promoting regional cooperation to build resilient agrifood systems in the face of growing climate adversity.
As the world marks International Day for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, we highlight the work of Christelle Arielle Mbouteu Megaptche, a Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (Rsif) scholar, recognised for her contributions to sustainability at COP28 in Dubai. The 28-year-old Cameroonian is pursuing a Ph.D. in renewable energy at the University of Nairobi, with a research placement at the Korea Institute of Energy Research. RSIF is the flagship program of the Partnership for Skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering, and Technology (PASET), an Africa-led, World Bank-affiliated initiative, managed by the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) as the Regional Coordination Unit.
Christelle’s work involves developing hydrogen fuels as a renewable energy for pioneering automobiles and transforming the transport sector in Cameroon to be sustainable. Her focus on hydrogen as a renewal energy source reduces carbon emissions. The buildup of Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere causes warming of the earth, and a cooling effect in the stratosphere where ozone is found. According to scholars, this cooling effect of the stratosphere increases the depletion of the ozone layer.
Reducing carbon emissions
Carbon emissions from fossil fuels use lead to warming of the earth as she explains, “reliance on non-sustainable energy sources like fossil fuels contributes to ozone depletion.” Therefore, developing more sustainable solutions like hydrogen fuels reduces carbon emissions. Her journey into sustainability began four years ago when she learned about Rsif’s mission to build a skilled workforce in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), especially among women.
“Applying was the best decision of my life,” Christelle said. “The funding allowed me to develop my master’s research on clean, affordable, and reliable electricity in developing countries. Rsif opened doors for collaborations with African and global institutions like the Korea Institute of Energy Research. I have worked on cutting-edge projects in carbon neutrality and gained invaluable professional skills.”
Christelle Arielle Mbouteu Megaptche participating in entrepreneurship training workshop organized by Rsif. Photo/Courtesy
One of the challenges Christelle faced pursuing a Ph.D. in Cameroon was the lack of financial support. “Rsif not only provided the funding I needed but also access to high-tech equipment and software crucial to my research. I’ve presented at local and international conferences and collaborated with leading researchers, and publishing in high-impact journals has boosted my work’s credibility,” she stated.
Christelle’s research addresses the critical issue of Africa’s high carbon intensity in energy production. Despite being the fourth-largest greenhouse gas emitter globally, only 24.37 per cent of Africa’s energy comes from low-carbon sources.
Ozone depletion
“Cameroon’s transport sector is its largest source of CO2 emissions,” she noted. “While at the Korea Institute of Energy Research, I developed a power-to-mobility model using hydrogen to decarbonize transportation. Several studies have pointed out that transportation is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions which can indirectly affect ozone depletion. Therefore, Christelle’s efforts in the long run aims to contribute to the reduction of the greenhouse gas emissions while supporting Cameroon’s energy transition which aligns with the global efforts of climate change mitigation to protect the ozone layer.
“I aim to contribute data-driven insights for policymakers to develop climate solutions,” she said. “It’s crucial that my research translates into real-world impact, addressing climate change through practical policies.”
Christelle’s work addresses two key challenges facing Africa: lack of access to power and climate change. The energy sector is a significant contributor to climate change which can exacerbate ozone depletion. Her innovative solutions like designing three mini grids to meet the energy needs of 18,000 people in Garoua, Cameroon are designed to provide clean, affordable, and reliable electricity across sectors like healthcare and transportation industry. This contributes to stabilizing the climate, which is essential for the recovery and maintenance of the ozone layer.
“I’m contributing knowledge that can influence socio-economic growth and strengthen local research capacities,” she said. “By publishing in international journals, attending conferences, and collaborating with institutions, I’m helping place African science at the forefront.”
Looking ahead, Christelle believes Africa’s future in climate research lies in sectors like food security, renewable energy, and materials engineering. Protecting the ozone layer is essential for ensuring food security through stable agricultural production, while advancements in material engineering can promote sustainable practices that enhance food security and mitigate environmental impacts. “Rsif is supporting young scholars like me to tackle these critical areas.”
She concluded with a message for young African researchers: “Focus on solving relevant issues within your community, ground your work in science and technology, and engage with local stakeholders to ensure your research makes a difference. Stay resilient, because climate action to reduce ozone depletion require long-term commitment.”
During global talks on climate change mitigation and adaptation at the recently concluded COP28 in Dubai, Rsif scholars Christelle Arielle Mbouteu Megaptche and Rehema Mrutu were recognized for their research contribution to a sustainable future. Christelle (28 years) is a Cameroonian national pursuing a PhD in renewable energy at the Department of Physics, University of Nairobi (UoN), Kenya with research placement to the Korea Institute of Energy Research in Korea and Rehema (33 years) is a Tanzanian national pursuing a PhD in Natural Resource Management and Climate Change at the Centre of Dryland Agriculture at Bayero University Kano, Nigeria with research placement at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in USA. Rehema was selected as a winning candidate at the Climate, Food and Farming Global Research Alliance Development (CLIFF-GRADS) award at the COP28 in Dubai. CLIFF-GRADS is a joint initiative of the Mitigate+: Research for Low Emissions Food Systems of the CGIAR and the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases (GRA).
Rehema is developing a CRISPR engineered strain to cut down methane emissions in cows and improve meat and milk production. The award aims to advance one of her research objectives on developing cheap and efficient means to divert the key substrate “hydrogen” in methane production to acetic acid, which is a by-product that can be used by the cow to improve meat and milk production. Rehema believes these data are urgently needed for researchers to decide on which microorganisms in the rumen needs manipulation to both develop long term methane mitigations measures and ensure food security. The CLIFF-GRADS award comes with a grant of USD 14,000 for a 4-6 months research stay at The University of Connecticut, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology in USA.
Christelle on the other hand received a Best Paper Award for outstanding contribution to the 12th Asia-Pacific Forum on Renewable Energy (AFORE), held in Jeju, South Korea from 7-11 November 2023 with Theme: Pathways to Carbon Neutrality 2050. Her presentation was on Techno-Economic Comparative Analysis of Photovoltaic Panel/Wind Turbine/ Hydrogen Storage, Photovoltaic Panel/Wind Turbine/Battery Systems for Powering a Simulated House including Hydrogen Vehicle Load at Jeju Island (published in MDPI’s Energies journal here). Christelle is financed by the Government of Korea through a PASET-Rsif scholarship, and her research placement is at the Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER) in South Korea.
Christelle’s PhD research work has also been published in the Journal Energy Conversion and Management (Impact factor of 10:4) here. One of the causes of frequent power outages in developing countries is the global mismatch between supply and demand, which can have devastating effects. The study highlights the techno-economic and environmental significance of using a supercapacitor (SC) as a backup in contrast to a diesel generator (DG), as well as the validation of its compatibility with storage batteries because of the provision of a robust energy management approach.
Christelle hopes that her research will provide insights into reducing frequent load shedding in Cameroon, which often leads to power surges that destroy equipment, cause fires, disrupt education services and the proper functioning of health care services.
“In Africa, our journey towards clean energy is not just a possibility; it’s an imperative. Our rich natural resources are the key to sustainable, accessible energy for all, shaping a greener, brighter future. I believe we can do it. “– Christelle Arielle Mbouteu Megaptche, Rsif scholar in Energy including renewables.
Christelle’s PhD supervisory team includes Prof. Bernard Aduda (UoN), Dr. Hanki Kim (KIER), Prof. Sebastian Waita (UoN) and Dr. Peter Moses Musau (South Eastern Kenya University).
Korea contributes to the Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (Rsif) of the Partnership for skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (PASET), since 2018. Its contribution of USD 9 million is to train Sub-Saharan African PhD students and to provide grants for research and innovation projects in strategic high potential sectors. Through PASET-Rsif Korea builds strong institutions and future science leaders to drive a science and technology-led growth and development to the mutual benefit of Africa, Korea and the world. The strong partnership between the Government of Korea, universities and PASET-Rsif contributes to boost exchange between African and Korean universities, researchers and faculties in the science and technology area.
Rsif combines intra-Africa academic exchange and international partnerships for world-class doctoral training. Research placement at an advanced institution gives exposure to cutting-edge technologies and nurtures connections with global research networks. Moreover, Rsif promotes Africa regional integration, strengthening centers of excellence and innovation ecosystems. The design of Rsif as a Pan-African partnership and a jointly pooled science fund gives better economies of scale and is professionally managed by the Rsif Regional Coordination Unit at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe).
Photos: (1) Rsif scholar Christelle Arielle Mbouteu Megaptche (on the right) received a Best Paper Award at the 12th Asia-Pacific Forum on Renewable Energy (AFORE) in Jeju, South Korea; (2) Rsif scholar Rehema Mrutu (in the lab) received a CLIFF-GRADS award during COP28 in Dubai.
Universities provide the rich scientific knowledge base, which is the foundation for innovation and economic development. The African Institute of Science and Technology (AUST) in Nigeria is one of the six African universities that have received financial and technical support from the Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (RSIF) to create an enabling environment for innovation and entrepreneurship in the university. With initial funding support from the African Development Bank and in collaboration with innovation hubs in the region, the university inaugurated an institutional based technology business incubator called AUSTInspire, to bridge the gap in innovation and research commercialization especially in healthcare, energy, shelter, water, oil and gas sectors in the region. RSIF financial support has picked up to further help the hub implement several activities as well as attract additional funding for its operationalization
RSIF financial and technical support has enabled AUST through its Pan African Materials Institute, African Centre of Excellence in Materials, to strengthen and expand the capacity of AUSTinspire and support and promote a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation among its faculty and students.
Through this support, a strategic policy document on innovation and entrepreneurship including intellectual property (IP) and commercialization of research outcome was developed with support from the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), Nigeria. Further a capacity building workshop on innovation and entrepreneurship was facilitated to 105 students and 65 faculty in collaboration with various industry and government trainers. A follow-on ten-day innovation and entrepreneurship bootcamp was organized which attracted participation of 150 students and 25 faculty. The bootcamp was culminated by a pitching competition where 13 groups presented their ideas to a panel of judges from the business innovation space. Five start up projects with support from RSIF grants were selected to receive business incubation support from the AUSTInspire.
As an offshoot of bootcamp, which was partly sponsored with matching funds provided by the African Development Bank (AfDB), the university received additional support from the AfDB to operationalize the AUSTInspire hub. Part of the AfDB funding was used to carry out a feasibility study of some innovation and incubation hubs in the country to draw lessons and best practices for the operationalization of the AUSTInspire hub.
AUST Centre for Lifelong Learning (AC4LL) was launched as an off shoot of the RSIF support. the funding is what supported the establishment of the Centre for life long learnning and rolll out of the courses. The centre offers opportunities for many working-class persons to engage in various continuing professional education programs especially in entrepreneurship, project management and other relevant subjects. Four short courses have already been launched under this program, one on Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation, one in Advanced Project Management and two on Monitoring and Evaluation. A total of 55 persons have successfully completed these certificate courses in AC4LL.
AUSTInspire has enabled the university community to engage and collaborate more with innovation hubs within Abuja thus improving our ability to solve real life problems through innovation. Prof. A. P. Onwualu, Ag Vice Chancellor, AUST
The university also organized an industry open day that attracted 28 industries from various sectors of the Nigerian economy to exhibit their products and services and interact with the students and faculty. It was also an opportunity for the university researchers to showcase their research outputs from different departments for possible collaboration with industry partners.
To foster University-Industry collaboration, the AUST Industry Advisory Board (AIAB) was launched in April 2022, with a membership of 11 industrial partners, the board will work closely with the university to strengthen its linkage with relevant industries to enhance it capacity in innovation development.
Higher education institutions are gradually embracing the importance of innovation, commercialization, and entrepreneurship, and creating value for their communities. African governments together with their development partners have committed to support the strengthening of research and innovation capacity of African universities through the RSIF program of the Partnership for Skills in Applied Science, Engineering and Technology (PASET). Read here for more information on RSIF funded projects.
The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), in its capacity as the Regional Coordination Unit of the Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (RSIF), the flagship program from the Partnership for skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (PASET), held a Pan-African Hybrid RSIF-UM6P conference that saw several experts, ministers, and scholars, researchers, policy-makers and the media gather for two days in Ben Guerir’s Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), Morocco from June 28 to29 to discuss the fund’s role in African development and collaboration. The 2022 conference builds up on the RSIF 2021 virtual Pre-Conference that was held virtually from 15-17 November 2021. A total of 102 participants attended in person and 1,082 virtually. A summary of the conference outcomes are available in this communique
Guided by the Conference theme “African-led science, technology and innovation for contributing to the SDGs and global development”, the meeting focused on how to actualise the African countries agenda to train doctoral students in high quality PhD programmes in applied sciences, engineering and Technology (ASET) in the key thematic areas of PASET. Watch highlights of the meeting here
RSIF alumnus Dr. Noel Gahamanyi who is currently a Lecturer of Microbiology at University of Rwanda, presented on Zoonoses and antimicrobial resistance (MR) during the conference. He also made a poster presentation alongside other RSIF scholars and alumni during proceedings. Dr Gahamanyi was one of the 15 scholars in the first Cohort that commenced their studies in 2018. In 2021, he obtained his PhD in Molecular Epidemiology of Campylobacter from Sokoine University of Agriculture in Tanzania. He shared with us his thoughts about the conference in this question-and-answer session.
Q:To start with a big-picture overview of the Conference, could you tell us how the overall experience was like, after two days full of presentations on the value of partnerships and the role of scientific research in Africa?
A. The conference was well organized as it was in a hybrid mode. It meant that even those who could not travel to Morocco managed to benefit a lot from the presentations. I was impressed by the dedication of PASET partners in upgrading the PASET program by linking academia and industry to have an impact on the society. I also liked the presentations highlighting the sandwich program model because it empowers scholars with valuable research insights and skills. Lastly, I was touched by the congratulatory messages to icipe management for the achievements in managing the PASET program since 2018.
Q: You attended the conference as an alumnus of PASET-RSIF and made a poster presentation about your research work. Share with us what the presentation focus was, and the highlight of your poster presentation.
A. The title of my poster was: ‘‘Molecular epidemiology and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of thermophilic Campylobacter species from humans and animal feces in South Korea and Tanzania’’. I highlighted that chicken and cattle are the major reservoirs of Campylobacter strains that are resistant to commonly used antibiotics like ciprofloxacin and tetracycline. These strains can lead to severe infections in humans. I also showed that natural products like essential oils and their pure compounds were effective against even antibiotic-resistant strains. Lastly, I mentioned that molecular techniques are important pillars in diagnosis and surveillance of infectious diseases including campylobacteriosis.
Q: The Minister of Education of the Republic of Rwanda, Dr Uwamariya Valentine, who also serves as the Chair for PASET Governing Board attended the meeting, what is/was your message and request to her about RSIF and scientific research in Africa.
A. I had an opportunity to talk to her during the conference. In short, my message is to seek more funds that can support a large number of young Africans dreaming to pursue Ph.D. studies. I also requested her to advocate for early matching and start of the sandwich program for PASET-RSIF scholars as any delay can affect the completion of the program (four years).
Q: What was your biggest take home from the Pan-African Hybrid RSIF-UM6P Conference?
A: My take home message from the conference is to incorporate digital technologies into our professions towards achieving the sustainable development goals.
PAN-AFRICAN HYBRID REGIONAL SCHOLARSHIP AND INNOVATION FUND (RSIF)- UNIVERSITY MOHAMMED VI POLYTECHNIC (UM6P) CONFERENCE
DRAFT COMMUNIQUE
Theme: African-led science, technology, and innovation for contributing to the SDGs and stimulating global development
The 2022 Pan African hybrid Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (RSIF)- University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P) Conference held from 28-29 June, 2022 in-person at UM6P campus in Ben Guerir, Morocco, and virtually for the larger audience was organised jointly by RSIF’s Regional Coordination Unit, the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) (icipe.org), and UM6P, (www.um6p.ma), which is an RSIF International Partner Institution in Africa.
Air pollution is a growing challenge for Africa, with the rapid population growth, industrial growth and consumption growth which have greatly contributed to increased levels of pollution. While a lot of attention has been given to managing outdoor air pollution, indoor air pollution is proving to be the silent killer to many African homes where majority of the families still burn wood and use other biomass to cook and heat their homes. Children and pregnant women are significantly affected. While deaths from indoor air pollution in Africa have declined by about 15% since 1990, the overall number of deaths is still high at over 400,000 as at 2017 according to a report published by UNICEF in 2019. It is therefore imperative to create awareness of the dangers associated with the indoor air pollution exposure to African families.
The University of Rwanda’s Centre of Excellence on Internet of Things (IoT), Embedded Computing Systems with funding from the PASET Regional Scholarship’s competitive grants scheme, in close collaboration with a team from Makerere University is implementing a project to assess the levels of indoor air pollution in rural and urban communities in Rwanda. The project aims to develop an IoT monitoring device that will help families assess the levels of indoor air pollution in their homes and propose mechanisms to help families implement measures to reduce the high levels of indoor air pollution detected to the acceptable levels as guided by the World Health Organization. The tool will also provide general information to create awareness to the families on the causes, dangers, and mitigation measures for indoor air pollution.
This far, the project team has completed the design of the IoT indoor air pollution prototype and produced three of the 60 IoT devices to be developed through this initiative, the tool has been deployed to pilot sites and is able to collect necessary data in the homes and feed to a centralized monitoring system for data processing.
The project is also mentoring five PhD students from the university who have received hands on training on developing the IoT prototype in addition to participating in various short courses on the embedded systems which have exposed them to different technologies used in IoT prototyping. The students are also using new tools for data collection and data visualization. Besides mentoring PhD students, other partners involved in the project have also gained more skills such as backend development for centralized data storage systems. The project will also train the local community on the use of the Indoor IoT monitoring tool for increased uptake.
Students soldering the IoT prototyping device
The whole project concept was made clear through the prototype presentation. I got to learn more about the Arduino platform, Sensors (humidity sensor in particular), and programming behind the GSM module said Barbara Asingwire, RSIF Scholar, University of Rwanda
I have learned the basics of embedded systems and knowing the keywords that are used. I have seen that there are plenty of opportunities in that field and I expect to chase them as well. I have learned how I can connect humidity sensor and temperature sensor to Arduino, and we programmed them said Eric Nizeyimana, RSIF Scholar, University of Rwanda
RSIF students learning how to design their first IoT Prototype device(s)
The “Real Time Assessment of indoor air pollution in Rwanda rural and urban households” is one of 16 projects currently being funded through the RSIF Research Grants window. The grants are competitively awarded to faculty of RSIF African Host Universities (AHUs), to undertake research that has practical solutions in five priority thematic areas identified by the Partnership for Skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (PASET). The project is significantly contributing to Rwanda’s National Strategy Framework on Climate Change and Low Carbon Development. Through this strategy, the country has taken a big step towards achieving socio-economic development that is resilient to economic, social and environmental shocks related to population growth, and climate change as well as global visions to attain the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
