RSIF PASET | Janet Otieno, Author at The PASET Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund

Mozambique’s STEM Revolution: Unlocking Potential through Computational Mathematics at UniRovuma

Posted on August 14, 2025August 23, 2025 by Janet Otieno

The pulse of innovation is much alive in northern Mozambique at the University of Rovuma (UniRovuma) in Nampula Province as witnessed recently, by a team from the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) who visited the institution as part of the Improvement for Skills Development in Mozambique (MozSkills) project monitoring and evaluation.

Through a 2021 agreement, the Government of Mozambique, with support from the World Bank, committed USD 6 million to the icipe-managed Partnership for skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology – Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (PASET-Rsif). The investment is fuelling 40 PhD scholarships and 14 homegrown research and innovation projects.

A group photo with the University of Rovuma (UniRovuma) Rector and some members of staff when icipe team visited.

Research solving real world problems

One standout is UniRovuma’s leap into computational mathematics laboratory — training lecturers and students in modern tools like Python, mathematical modeling, and applied statistics. This room buzzing with the click of keyboards and the language of Python code is bridging the gap between traditional math education and the digital demands of today’s STEM fields, equipping graduates to solve real-world problems in industry and public service. This laboratory is now buzzing with the click of keyboards and the language of Python code.

Mathematics laboratory at Unirovuma — Computational mathematics laboratory at UniRovuma

An interview with Dr Elisa da Conceição José Maria, the project lead at UniRovuma revealed that the innitiative arose from the need to strengthen practical and digital skills among lecturers and students, which were still limited and hindered the university’s ability to effectively contribute to research and development in STEM areas.

“The reliance on exclusively theoretical methods without computational tools left students insufficiently prepared to face technical challenges. Mozambique and the region urgently need data-driven approaches to tackle issues such as climate change, food security, and public health—making this project essential,” Dr Elisa stated.

She pointed out that originally, the UniRovuma emerged from the division of the former Universidade Pedagógica—a national university mainly focused on teacher training. After its division into five regional institutions, UniRovuma began serving the northern region of Mozambique and expanded its scope beyond education to include technical fields and STEM courses. However, this restructuring was not accompanied by the redistribution of laboratory resources or the creation of new infrastructure. The introduction of new programmes required lecturers to be trained in technical and computational content. The lack of adequate resources and the need to adapt to the new institutional model motivated the launch of this project.

PASET-Rsif/MozSkills support

The leap into computational mathematics at the UnRovuma has been made possible through PASET-Rsif/MozSkills support. With Rsif funding, the university established a fully equipped computational mathematics laboratory, complete with 18 computers, creating a dedicated space where students and lecturers can explore programming, mathematical modeling, and applied statistics in practice. It also has a smartboard, internet access, and teaching materials. Besides, it supported the training of 15 lecturers and more than 503 students in Python programming and mathematical modeling. It also facilitated the development of applied projects that connect mathematical theory to real-world challenges, the drafting of scientific articles, and funding for their publication. Based on the skills acquired by lecturers and students, a practical initiative was launched with a focus on activities, research, and outreach in computational mathematics, leveraging all the human and material resources created through the laboratory’s implementation.

Dr Elisa da Conceição José Maria (C) who is the project lead and some of her colleagues.

Sustainability of the project

What sets Rsif’s support apart, according to Dr Elisa and her team members, is its flexibility and clear alignment with the institution’s strategic goals. Beyond funding, the programme is designed with sustainability in mind — ensuring that the skills, infrastructure, and research capacity being built today will continue to serve Mozambique’s development long after the project ends. This is unlike short-term interventions since Rsif funding enables long-term capacity building, including the training of local experts, support for gender inclusion, promotion of innovation in the national education system, and provision of essential materials for research. Moreover, it encourages scientific production through support for article publication.

The project is tackling long-standing gaps in mathematics education at UniRovuma. Dr Elisa states that until recently, programming had little presence in the curriculum, and many researchers relied heavily on commercial software such as SPSS, which limited flexibility and innovation. By introducing open-source tools and strengthening skills in mathematical modeling, the programme is equipping students and faculty with the versatility and analytical depth needed for modern STEM research and problem-solving. “It also addresses the disconnect between mathematics curricula and practical applications, especially in data analysis, geospatial computing, and predictive modeling. Key focuses include training lecturers in STEM methodologies, promoting real-world problem-solving, and preparing students for the job market,” she elaborates.

Translating theory into practice

Key technological solutions being developed include the integration of Python into the undergraduate curriculum, development of local training modules in computational modeling, and applied research projects using techniques such as time series analysis (ARIMA/SARIMA) and geospatial risk mapping. “One highlight is the mathematical modeling of environmental phenomena. These approaches help translate mathematical theory into tools for solving practical problems,” Dr Elisa says.

Through a series of intensive training programmes, the initiative has strengthened the skills of both students and lecturers, equipping them with practical expertise in Python, data science, and mathematical modeling. Participants have also gained training in scientific article writing — a skill that not only supports academic success but also enhances their ability to share research findings with the wider scientific community. Dr Elisa highlighted that it has also promoted the leadership of female instructors and encouraged interdisciplinary research.

“Over 500 students have been trained, many of whom are now engaged in applied research and pursuing advanced studies. They are also using the skills they’ve learned to prepare their final year theses,” she revealed.

Collaboration and partnerships

Collaboration lies at the heart of the project, bringing together national, regional, and international partners to amplify its impact. The University of Porto,in Portugal for instance, trained the first cohort of lecturers in Python, providing a strong foundation for the computational mathematics programme. Locally, partnerships with institutions such as the Nampula Municipal Council and other universities in Nampula ensure the work remains closely tied to community needs and supports practical, real-world applications of the skills being developed. These collaborations increase the relevance of research, provide mentorship, and support the implementation of applied studies in real contexts. For some scientific papers, we also collaborate with researchers from local universities.

The project is closely aligned with Mozambique’s national development priorities of improving education quality, promoting scientific research, and developing digital skills and the new African Union’s Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy (STISA) 2034 pillars by contributing to knowledge production, technological innovation, and solutions to socioeconomic challenges through STEM education and applied mathematics.

The advances in computational mathematics through this project have far-reaching benefits across multiple real-world sectors, including agriculture—where it supports forecasting of prices and seasonal patterns; health—by enabling analysis of factors affecting maternal and child well-being; environment—through geospatial modeling of erosion risks and climate data; and education, where it strengthens the STEM curriculum and prepares the next generation of educators with vital computational skills.

Beyond mathematics, this project provides evidence-based tools and data analysis to support decision-making in municipal planning, agricultural policy, public health interventions, and educational reform. By training local researchers, it ensures sustainability and fosters innovation tailored to community needs.

Significant milestones

Since its inception, the project has already marked significant milestones including:Training of 15 lecturers and over 503 students in Python and modeling, implementation of applied research projects, establishment of a computational mathematics laboratory and iInclusive training structure with attention to gender.

Looking ahead, the team plans to expand training opportunities to postgraduate students, publish research findings and develop a postgraduate curriculum in computational mathematics.

In five years, the project envisions becoming a leading national and regional hub for computational mathematics—recognized for its innovative STEM education, robust regional partnerships, and impactful contributions to public policies in agriculture, health, and environmental planning. Success will be measured not only by academic achievements and research publications but also by the tangible ways the programme empowers communities and drives sustainable development across Mozambique and beyond.

Student Startups Take Root in ISPM with MozSkills support

Posted on August 4, 2025August 4, 2025 by Janet Otieno

Through an agreement signed in 2021, the Government of Mozambique, through its World Bank-funded project on ‘Improvement for Skills Development in Mozambique (MozSkills)’, is investing USD 6 million in the icipe-managed, Partnership for skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology – Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (PASET-Rsif). Of the amount, USD 4.2 million is funding 40 Rsif PhD scholarships, while USD 1.8 million is dedicated to supporting 14 research and innovation projects implemented by Mozambican higher education institutions. During a recent visit, an icipe team witnessed firsthand the progress being made through MozSkills projects.

One stand-out example is the Creation of Sustainable Student Companies as an alternative to self-employment at Instituto Superior Politecnico de Manica (ISPM), which aims to strengthen the innovation ecosystem within Mozambican higher education—ranging from a thriving vegetable farming initiative and a promising bean production project to innovative quail farming and a fast-growing poultry enterprise.

To gain deeper insight into this project and its potential, we spoke with key stakeholders involved in the project. In this second series of interviews, the project lead Dr Arnaldo Uetela shares his perspective on the initiative’s goals, challenges, and the transformative role it is beginning to play.

Q: Can you describe how this initiative is equipping students with practical skills and support to create sustainable companies, particularly in the agribusiness value chain?

A: Through the MozSkills project, students and graduates received training in entrepreneurship, business management, financial management, and business simulation. They were subsequently guided through registering their companies, taking the first steps toward launching and formalizing their businesses.

Q: What specific incubation services or mentorship models are being used at ISPM to ensure that these student companies evolve into viable and lasting MSMEs?

A: The incubation services offered by the ISPM incubator are to provide infrastructure -office equipped with computers and internet, production spaces and greenhouses. There is also technical assistance from several specialists that we have in the institution, and we also invite individuals with consolidated experience in specific business fields to mentor the students.

A former student at ISPM at her poultry farm. — A former ISPM student at her poultry farm.

Q: How is the project contributing to youth employment and entrepreneurship, and what success stories or early impacts can you share?

A: We are gradually seeing our incubated graduates earn a comfortable living from the businesses they established through this project. Some have even begun employing other young people in their ventures. If you visit these projects, you will find one or two youths employed. Many young people do not necessarily land on the job market after completing their university education and this initiative encourages the young people to embark on entrepreneurship.

Although it’s still too early to say these businesses are highly successful, the poultry rearing project is on the right track in terms of promoting employability and entrepreneurship.

Q: What challenges have you encountered in stimulating the emergence of MSMEs through this approach, and how are you addressing them?

A: The challenges encountered in this MSME creation process include the withdrawal of some incubated companies during the process, excessive bureaucracy in registering incubated companies by regulatory agencies, and delays in funding disbursements.

Q: How has the support from Rsif enhanced the implementation and impact of this project, and what value has it brought to the students and wider ecosystem?

A: Rsif’s support was very instrumental in all aspects; from the initial training sessions to setting up the project management team to equipping the facilities for incubators and providing funds for business creation.

A Visit with Global Impact: UPC welcomes Rsif Scholar Onelia Caribo

Posted on August 4, 2025August 4, 2025 by Janet Otieno

The Laboratory of Digital Models in Structures and Construction in Barcelona, Spain, welcomed Onelia Caribo, a PhD student from the University of Rwanda at ACEIoT, a scholar under the Partnership for Skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (PASET)-Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (Rsif) programme.

Rsif is the flagship initiative of the PASET, an Africa-led effort supported by the World Bank. It offers a historic opportunity to train a new generation of PhD students in applied sciences, engineering, and technology at top African Host Universities (AHUs) in collaboration with international partner institutions. Beyond academic training, Rsif promotes research capacity by building partnerships between universities and companies to address local challenges.

Rsif scholar Onelia Caribo visits UPC for sandwich programme. Photo/ Courtesy/ UPC — Rsif scholar Onelia Caribo visits UPC. Photo/ Courtesy/ UPC

During her stay this summer, Onelia Caribo explored the potential of digital twins for school laboratories in Mozambique and Rwanda. The project proposes cost-effective, open-source, a multi-lab perspective (biology, physics, chemistry), and multi-platform experiments, using sensors, computer vision, and mobile devices, within an open and creative framework. She also enriched her experience by participating in academic activities held at the Laboratory during her stay.

Together with Prof Rolando Chacón, they designed several experiments, explored their learning objectives, discussed how digital twins can enhance the learning process, and assessed their scalability. This radical openness approach showcases how digital twins can bridge the physical and digital worlds, enriching with accessible technologies, educational science practices in African high schools.

Driving Innovation in Mozambique: Inside the IETUPUNGUE Project at UniPúnguè

Posted on July 23, 2025July 23, 2025 by Janet Otieno

As the sun rose over the misty hills of Chimoio in central Mozambique, our delegation from The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) felt a sense of eager anticipation. We were on a mission to witness firsthand the progress of the PASET-Rsif/MozSkills-supported IETUPUNGUE Project at Universidade Púnguè (UniPúnguè)—and what we found was truly inspiring.

From the moment we arrived, it was clear that something powerful is unfolding here. Professor Lubacha Zilhão, the IETUPUNGUE Project Coordinator, walked us through the initiative’s milestones—each one a step toward transforming how innovation, technology transfer, and intellectual property are nurtured in Mozambican universities.

Equally memorable was the warm welcome from UniPúnguè’s leadership. The Rector, Prof Emília Afonso Nhalevilo expressed deep appreciation for the collaboration with icipe under the PASET-Rsif/MozSkills project, emphasizing the importance of such partnerships in strengthening the university’s capacity and regional influence. Her message was clear: continued collaboration is not just welcome—it’s essential for sustaining momentum.

Unipungue Rector Professor Emília Nhalevilo receiving memorabilia from Ms Cynthia Orango Rsif Research and Innovation Grant Officer — Unipungue Rector Prof Emília Afonso Nhalevilo receiving memorabilia from Ms Cynthia Orang’o Rsif Research and Innovation Grant Officer.

Another striking moment for me was visiting the university’s new Innovation Incubator Unit. Still fresh with possibility, the space is more than a building—it’s a commitment to empowering students, faculty, and communities to create real-world solutions. You could feel the energy of potential in the air.

The newly established UniPúnguè Innovation Incubator Unit. Photo/ Janet Otieno

This visit wasn’t just an evaluation—it was a chance to see how far vision and collaboration can go. Through Rsif and MozSkills, UniPúnguè isn’t just growing—it’s becoming a beacon of innovation for the region.

We also had the chance to speak directly with Prof Zilhão about the project’s journey, challenges, and what lies ahead and here is what she had to say;

Q: What motivated the launch of this project, and why is it important for Mozambique and the region?

A: The launch of this project was driven by the need to strengthen the innovation capacity of the UniPúnguè university community (faculty, researchers, administrative staff, and students) to increase innovations and enable patenting. Many innovative projects were forgotten due to a lack of awareness about innovation and technology transfer within our university. This project is important for the country because, through innovation, Mozambique can stand out globally and become more competitive.

Q: How is this project contributing to the development of policies at the University?
A: The project has greatly benefited the university by enabling the development of two key policies to promote innovation: the Innovation and Technology Transfer Policy and the Intellectual Property Protection Policy.

The icipe delegation flanked by IETUPUNGUE team visiting one of the projects — The *icipe* delegation flanked by IETUPUNGUE team visiting one of the projects at the institution’s agricultural field.

Q: How does the project align with Mozambique’s development goals, and how will it benefit the community or public policymakers?

A: Mozambique’s National Development Strategy (ENDE) 2025-2044 highlights technological innovation as a key pillar for economic growth and development. The same document notes that reliance on sectors like agriculture and extractive industries has limited economic diversification, making the country vulnerable to external shocks, with limited economic growth, innovation, and competitiveness. This weakness in innovation underscores the need for projects like this to boost innovation in universities and communities.
Additionally, innovation and entrepreneurship are priorities in Mozambique’s current National Education System. For instance, the Secondary Education Curriculum Plan (2022) states that by the end of the first cycle of secondary education, students should be entrepreneurial, creative, critical, and self-confident in performing tasks or solving problems, both in and out of school—skills that align with the ability to innovate. In the medium term, UniPúnguè can train schools to strengthen these competencies.

IETUPUNGUE team and icipe's team holding a discussion about the progress of the project. icipe's delegation was led by Dr Michael M. Kidoido, Senior Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Specialist — IETUPUNGUE team and icipe’s team holding a discussion about the progress of the project. icipe’s delegation was led by Dr Michael M. Kidoido, Senior Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Specialist (second right)

Q: What milestones have been achieved so far, and where do you see this project in the coming years?

A: We have developed two policies: the Innovation and Technology Transfer Policy and the Intellectual Property Protection Policy.

We have trained faculty, researchers, administrative staff, and students on innovation and technology transfer.
We are currently forming partnerships with institutions experienced in innovation, technology transfer, and intellectual property protection, such as the Pedro Nunes Institute at the University of Coimbra and the European Patent Office (EPO).
We recently established a business incubator to drive innovation at the university.
We are preparing for the first University Innovation Fair on September 23, which will include not only university students but also participants from other universities, schools, companies, and individuals.
We hope that, through the partnerships we are building, the technology transfer office will become a national reference.

Q: What makes the support from Rsif valuable for your institution?
A: The support from Rsif is valuable because:

It has awakened the university to the need to promote innovation.
It has supported the promotion and strengthening of research and innovation capacity, recognition of scientific and technological output, and the development of institutional policies and strategies for technology transfer and intellectual property protection.
It has increased the need to transfer knowledge generated at the university for the benefit of communities.
It has facilitated the creation of national and international partnerships related to technology transfer and intellectual property protection.

Transforming Kenya’s Future Through Doctoral Training: Insights from Rsif High-Level Policy Dialogue Workshop

Posted on June 24, 2025June 25, 2025 by Janet Otieno

Kenya’s drive towards nurturing innovation and building a robust knowledge-based economy took centre stage at the high-level policy dialogue on doctoral training and skills development, a landmark event organized by International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), the Regional Coordination Unit of the PASET Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (Rsif) and in collaboration with the African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTs) at the Great Rift Valley Lodge in Naivasha.

The event brought together about 50 stakeholders drawn from relevant ministries, academia, industry, development partners to foster meaningful discussions on aligning national priorities and emerging trends, best practices and shape strategies that will enhance doctoral training in Kenya and beyond.

This policy dialogue was organized on the backdrop of a multi-country study on doctoral and post-doctoral training and their contributions to national economies in Kenya, Rwanda, and Ethiopia which was conducted by the African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) on behalf of PASET Rsif and funded by the Carnegie Corporation of New York through a grant to icipe. It is drawing from a rich evidence base on the study and anchored on national priorities like Vision 2030 and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

Kenya’s PhD challenge

Though Kenya’s higher education sector has expanded with the number of licensed universities reaching 80 and university enrollment soaring to over 600,000 students by 2025, only 1.2 per cent these students are enrolled in PhD programmes – a clear indicator of the structural imbalance in the talent pipeline.

Dr Everlyn Nguku, Head of Capacity Building and Institutional Development at icipe — Dr Everlyn Nguku, Head of Capacity Building and Institutional Development at *icipe* giving her opening remarks. Photo/Sakina Mapenzi

“This dialogue is more than a policy discussion—it is a commitment,” Dr Everlyn Nguku, Head of Capacity Building and Institutional Development at icipe, pointed out in her opening address while urging for a commitment to building the intellectual infrastructure that will power Kenya’s next chapter. Dr Nguku stated, “By advancing high-quality doctoral education and fostering African-led research, Rsif plays a key role in promoting inclusive development, scientific excellence, and long-term capacity building across the continent.” She added that, “icipe’s work addresses pressing global challenges by generating cutting-edge, insect-based solutions.”

“icipe is widely recognized as a Centre of Excellence and through its integrated platforms and partnerships, it continues to shape evidence-based policies, drive bioeconomy development, and empower the next generation of African scientific leaders,” she mentioned.

On his part, Dr David Muthaka, Deputy Commission Secretary at the Commission for University Education (CUE), underscored a growing disconnect: “Despite increasing university enrollment, the economy is yet to feel the transformative impact of advanced research. Only 43 per cent of academic staff in our universities hold PhDs, and just 15 per cent of graduates have practical, work-based experience.”

His remarks outlined the broader policy dilemma: Kenya aspires to lead Africa in innovation yet remains constrained by low research and development investment—currently at 0.8 per cent of GDP, below the African Union target of 1.5 per cent and far from innovation powerhouses like South Korea at 4.5 per cent.

Dr Agnes Lutomiah, the Head of Programme, Science Technology and Innovation Knowledge in Society at African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTSNET), also touched on pathways to strengthen PhD training and postgraduate impact. Her presentation pointed out the importance of enabling environments, collaboration, and policies that support impactful research and also curb PhD dropout rate.

“50 per cent students drop out of the PhD many of the retake longer to complete the PhD programmes. Contributing factors included: Funding challenges, mental health issues, family, work commitment, and supervisor frustrations,” Dr Lutomiah said.

Roadmap for Doctoral Reform

The dialogue raised the following key issues:

Research and Development investment gap which is currently at 0.8per cent of the GDP, still behind AU target of 1.5 per cent.
The research objective in universities is neglected.
Poor alignment of policy, research and innovation.
Limited research capacity – only 43 per cent of university staff hold PhDs.
Skills and market need mismatch – with over 40 per cent employers citing inadequate skills as a barrier.
Pipeline challenges when it comes to career progression options.
Structural challenges when it comes to research infrastructure, industry alignment and IP structures.
There are glaring gender disparities – more enrolment of males than females (34 per cent only) in our universities.

A recurring theme was the need to shift doctoral training from academic exercises to engines of applied problem-solving.

Panel Discussion | Kenya High-Level Policy Dialogue on Higher Education & Skills Development. Photo/Sakina Mapenzi

There was also a panel discussion which explored strengthening institutional and national policy synergies to maximize the development impact of doctoral training which was moderated by Prof George Owuor, Director of Research and Extension at Egerton University.

The panelists were the leading voices in academia and policy including; Prof Tom Ogada, Director, ACTS; Ms Charity Musembi, National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation; Prof Benard Muthiani Kivunge, Registrar Academics, Kenyatta University; Prof Eunice Kamara, Moi University and Dr Mwende Mbilo, Rsif Alumna and Lecturer, Pwani University. The panelists discussed actionable ways to align national strategies and institutional frameworks to enhance the quality and relevance of doctoral education and research. They also stated that NACOSTI needs to ensure quality assurance and research ethics adherence in ensuring the quality of doctoral education to compare with global universities.

Rsif through icipe has already made significant contributions, so far it has offered 302 PhD scholarships, 64 research grants (of these 23 are research awards grants to faculty at Rsif African Host Universities (AHUs) faculties and 23 Junior Investigator Research Award (JIRA), 10 institutional Innovation Capacity Strengthening grants awarded to support their innovation environment and 8 Cooperability Innovation grants awards to faculty to support them to commercialize their research awarded to Rsif alumni), and institutional capacity building, offering a blueprint for strengthening science, technology, and innovation across Africa.

Rsif focuses on transformative technologies with far-reaching societal impacts in five priority thematic areas namely, ICT including big data and artificial intelligence, Food security and agri-business, Minerals, mining and materials engineering, Energy including renewables and Climate change. Rsif is funded by 9 African governments – Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, and the World Bank, the Government of Korea, and other development partners.

A call for collaborative action

“We must move from policy dialogue to implementation,” urged Dr Nguku in her closing remarks. “The partnerships forged in this room today must become the engines of change tomorrow.” A sentiment echoed by all the participants with a call for strategic partnerships between universities, the private sector, and global institutions, greater inclusion of young researchers and early-career scientists in national development planning, expanded investment in digital infrastructure, innovation hubs, and STEM scholarships.

The policy dialogue workshop collectively recommended a multifaceted approach to strengthen the research and innovation ecosystem, emphasizing the need to align research impact with policy and industry through robust industry-university partnerships and incentives for applied research. Strategic investment in research and development, the creation of funding portals, mentorship, and ensuring fair competition were highlighted as critical to increasing research funding. The establishment of innovation hubs and mandating industry participation were seen as vital for practical knowledge transfer, while faculty development and targeted infrastructure and technology investments were underscored as foundational supports. Promoting gender equity through incentives, flexible schedules, and female mentorship programmes, alongside regular evaluation of supervisory performance, were identified as essential for inclusive and effective research environments.

Dr Salome Wawire from Science for Africa Foundation reiterated the need for improvement on quality assurance to set standards while outlining the way forward.

“Additional recommendations included structured support for doctoral students’ career transitions, moving beyond the “publish or perish” culture by fostering commercialization studies, technology transfer mechanisms, and robust IP policies,” stated Dr Wawire.

The event also called for national research councils and funds to focus on research uptake, the implementation of quality assurance measures for university scholarship—including research integrity offices and standardized requirements for doctoral programmes and internships—comprehensive mental health support within programmes, integration of policies for coherence, and improved data availability to inform national and university policy and management.

What Lies Ahead

The Policy Dialogue concluded with a strong consensus: Kenya must treat knowledge as a strategic asset, not just for education, but as a cornerstone of national competitiveness. The institutions should be intentional about attracting and retaining global talent.

To achieve this; the country must scale up doctoral training to produce the next generation of scientists, educators, and policy leaders, elevate university research output to levels that can drive global relevance and impact plus develop a robust, well-funded postdoctoral ecosystem to ensure that talent is retained and nurtured within the country.

As Dr Muthaka aptly put it, “Transforming higher education is no longer optional — it is a national imperative.”

Shared commitment to the future

In a country where 75 per cent of the population is under 35, the stakes are high—but so is the potential. As the dialogue ends and implementation begins, the message is clear: Kenya’s knowledge economy starts now.

Shaping Kenya’s knowledge economy – Rsif gears for high-level policy dialogue on doctoral training

Posted on June 10, 2025June 10, 2025 by Janet Otieno

Kenya is steadily moving in its journey toward becoming a globally competitive and industralised country as envisioned in the nation’s Vision 2030. At the core of this transformation journey is the strengthening of higher education and skills development systems, crucial for nurturing innovation and building a robust knowledge-based economy. The upcoming high-level policy dialogue, organized by the Partnership for skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (PASET) Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (Rsif) in partnership with the African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS), will bring together top minds to chart the future of doctoral and post-doctoral training in Kenya. Rsif is Africa’s flagship programme for building doctoral training, research, and innovation capacity in applied sciences, engineering, and technology, managed by the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) on behalf of PASET.

This event, scheduled to take place in Naivasha, Kenya, will convene over 50 key stakeholders from government ministries, academia, industry, and development partners. The dialogue builds on the findings of a recent multi-country study spanning Kenya, Rwanda, and Ethiopia, which explored the impact of doctoral training on national economies. Participants will deliberate on strategic policy approaches, share best practices, and generate actionable recommendations to align higher education with Kenya’s economic and development priorities.

Rsif through icipe has already made significant contributions, so far it has offered 302 PhD scholarships, 64 research grants (of these 23 are research awards grants to faculty at Rsif African Host Universities (AHUs) faculties and 23 Junior Investigator Research Award (JIRA), 10 institutional Innovation Capacity Strengthening grants awarded to support their innovation environment and 8 Cooperability Innovation grants awards to faculty to support them to commercialize their research awarded to Rsif alumni), and institutional capacity building, offering a blueprint for strengthening science, technology, and innovation across Africa.

Speaking ahead of the high-level meeting, Dr Everlyne Nguku, The Head of Capacity Building at icipe said that “We recognize that in any knowledge driven economy, a country’s strength lies in the minds its nurtures. For Kenya and Africa at large, investing in doctoral education is beyond a good policy priority, it is a strategic foundation upon which to build its socio-economic transformation and secure its future.”

The policy dialogue aims to foster a new era of partnership, ensuring that doctoral education and research are not only relevant and high-quality but also directly contribute to Kenya’s socio-economic transformation.

By strengthening partnerships between academia, government, and industry, the event promises to advance the national strategic plan of strengthening higher education and skills development and inspire similar efforts across the continent—paving the way for the Africa We Want.

Why inclusive safeguards are important in academic environments: Lessons from a refresher workshop at Bayero University, Nigeria

Posted on May 28, 2025May 28, 2025 by Janet Otieno

Maimuna*, a promising postgraduate student, is hesitating to report an uncomfortable encounter with a faculty member. She tried discussing with her roommate who has advised her that reporting the issue will only make things worse for her because no action will be taken against her tormentor. Across institutions in Nigeria and beyond, many students and staff face similar dilemmas—uncertain if their voices will be heard, or if their safety will be protected. It’s stories like Maimuna’s that underscore why safeguarding in academic environments is so crucial.
Every student, lecturer, and staff member should feel safe in the university. This means all invisible barriers need to be broken so that every voice can be heard without fear. Achieving this vision requires more than just rules on paper; it demands a living culture of protection and respect and this is where safeguarding comes in.

The Director Center of Excellence for Dryland Agriculture (CDA), Bayero University, Kano, Professor Jibrin Mohammed Jibrin welcomes participants to the workshop.

Safeguarding in academic environments is about weaving together systems, policies, and everyday practices that shield everyone in the university community from harm—whether it’s sexual harassment, exploitation, or abuse. But the most effective safeguards don’t stop there: they are inclusive by design, ensuring these protections reach everyone, regardless of gender, disability, or background, leaving no one behind.
This approach is not only about compliance with institutional rules but about fostering a campus where every individual feels empowered and respected to pursue their ambitions. It also involves fostering an equitable institution culture where all can feel safe.

This commitment to inclusive safeguarding was at the heart of a recent refresher workshop held by the Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (Rsif) in collaboration with Bayero University Kano (BUK), Nigeria. The hybrid event, hosted at BUK’s Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA), brought together 50 participants (28 male and 22 female)—including Rsif scholars, faculty, administrative staff, student leaders, and gender experts—from BUK and neighbouring institutions such as Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Northwest University Kano, Khalifa Isyaku Rabiu University, Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria, and AZMAN University.

Prof Amina Mustafa — Prof Amina Mustapha shares a point during the workshop.

According to Prof Amina Mustapha, BUK Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and Development who participated in the workshop, many forms of sexual harassment in academia—ranging from quid pro quo and hostile environments to digital and peer-to-peer harassment—have lasting impacts on individuals and institutional integrity. It is therefore important that this issue is urgently addressed because it constitutes serious violations of human rights and dignity.

Mr Bonface Nyaga addressing the participants of the workshop.

Mr Bonface Nyagah, Rsif Capacity Building and Safeguarding Officer, opines that it is of importance that all stakeholders continually remind themselves of the existing Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (SEAH) and Gender Based Violence (GBV) policies in the institutions. This can be done by utilizing refresher workshops, plugging SEA/SH and GBV awareness sessions in institutional and programmatic orientation for staff and project staff, including suppliers. Further, necessary information brochures can be provided.
“There is a need to have the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) in all institutions that provide avenues for reporting and referral pathways for the survivors. This ensures that the survivors can access not only justice but much required medical, legal and psychosocial support,” he stated.

Dr Safiya Nuhu speaks during the workshop.

Dr Safiya Ahmad Nuhu, Director of BUK’s Centre for Gender Studies, detailed the university’s multi-layered response to sexual harassment. This includes tiered reporting structures, clear penalties, referral mechanisms, and the Confidential Corner—a safe space for confidential counselling.
“Prevention-first policies, such as gender and dress code guidelines, are foundational in a safeguarding environment”, Dr Safiya said.
Disability inclusion advocate Mr Oyeniye Kudus Olanrewaju believes that the unique vulnerabilities faced by persons with disabilities should be part of safeguarding policies that are intentionally disability-inclusive and should conform to Nigeria’s Disability Act and international conventions.

The interactive panel discussion, featuring voices from across the university—including Rsif scholar Desta Mulu stated that SEAH (reporting mechanisms must be accessible and user-friendly to all stakeholders. Prof Aisha Ismail who served as the pioneer director of BUK Centre for Gender Studies stressed the importance of building trust in institutional policies to encourage timely reporting and discussed cultural factors influencing perceptions and responses to sexual harassment. On his part, the Director of the Centre for Economics, Social and Population Research (CESPOR) at BUK, Prof Ismail Muhammad Zango pointed out that institutional leaders have a critical role in raising awareness of safeguarding protocols and engaging stakeholders through continuous sensitisation.
Ms Haj Binta Lawan Saji from Servicom non-academic staff also expressed that safeguarding training should be conducted regularly and integrated into orientation programmes for new staff, students, and affiliates while Prof Ali Tijjani of the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) opined that institutions must understand and respect how cultural contexts influence perceptions and reporting of SEAH and safeguarding issues.

Some of the participants of the workshop

The workshop highlighted several crucial lessons for enhancing safeguards within university settings. It emphasized the importance of adopting survivor-centered approaches to ensure that the needs and voices of survivors are prioritized. Additionally, it underscored the necessity of developing policies that are both inclusive—addressing the diverse needs of the university community—and actionable, enabling effective implementation. Finally, the workshop advocated for moving beyond mere compliance with regulations toward fostering genuine cultural transformation, creating safer and more supportive academic environments, and the value of moving beyond compliance toward genuine cultural transformation.

This workshop should be a wake-up call to all institutions on the need for annual refresher trainings, development of safeguarding toolkits, institutional disability audits, and the expansion of confidential support spaces—affirming that inclusive safeguards are essential for safe, accountable, and thriving academic environments.
*Name has been changed.

African Experts Call for Stronger Science-Policy Links to Boost Climate-Resilient Agriculture

Posted on May 20, 2025 by Janet Otieno

A high-level side event organized by the PASET Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (Rsif) convened leading researchers, policymakers, industry figures, and development partners at the 5th Biennial International Conference on Drylands at Bayero University, Kano Nigeria to chart a new course for climate-resilient agriculture in Africa. The event, held under the theme “Innovating for Climate-Resilient Agriculture: Bridging Science, Policy, and Practice for Development Impact in Africa,” spotlighted the urgent need for transformative action as the continent faces escalating climate threats.

Bridging gaps for transformative change
Supported by the International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), which coordinates the Rsif, the session underscored the critical role of higher education institutions and regional programs in driving agricultural innovation. Dr David Awolola, Director of Technical Services at the African Group of Negotiators Expert Support (AGNES), delivered a keynote address, followed by an interactive plenary with diverse stakeholders.

At the 5th Biennial Conference on Dryland Agriculture in BAYERO UNIVERSITY, KANO , hashtag#Rsif proudly launched the Agri-Food Systems & Climate Action Network-uniting top African Centers of Excellence from Mozambique, Ethiopia, Ghana, Tanzania, Uganda, and Nigeria to drive innovation for resilient food systems and climate solutions.
A major highlight was the launch of the “Agri-Food Systems and Climate Action Network.” This initiative aims to promote intra-Africa collaboration by connecting six universities that are centres of excellence across Africa’s regions to foster industry linkages, and build international partnerships to enhance PhD training, conduct research on pressing African issues, and scale up innovations for socio-economic development.

Key challenges facing African agriculture
The 50 participants including 20 women at the launch painted a stark picture of Africa’s vulnerability to climate change, citing frequent droughts, floods, and mounting food insecurity that cost some countries up to 3 per cent of GDP annually. Despite these challenges, Africa remains underrepresented in global climate finance and faces significant gaps in domestic resource mobilization.
While digital technologies and innovations-such as drought-resistant seeds and mobile advisory platforms-hold promise, their impact is limited by insufficient access, funding, and support for early-career scientists. The event also highlighted the limited global influence of African researchers, weak policy implementation at national levels, and the need for stronger integration of science into policy and practice.

The Director Center of Excellence for Dryland Agriculture (CDA), Bayero University, Kano, Prof Jibrin Mohammed Jibrin — The Director Center of Excellence for Dryland Agriculture (CDA), Bayero University, Kano, Professor Jibrin Mohammed Jibrin speaks during the side event.

Recommendations
The session produced a set of recommendations to bridge the divide between climate science, policy, and practice including call for stronger partnerships across governments, academia, the private sector, and communities to break down institutional silos and enhance climate policy implementation.
Delegates urged greater investment in research capacity, support for African-led innovation, and deeper engagement between scientists and policymakers to ensure evidence-based strategies.
They also emphasized the need to expand access to funding and technology, integrate local knowledge, and scale up successful agricultural practices to build resilience across the continent.

Mozambique universities commit to improving their intellectual property management practices

Posted on May 7, 2025 by Janet Otieno

Scientists and experts from six Mozambique universities and research organisations came together in a three-day workshop on 22-24 April in Maputo to develop action plans for intellectual property (IP) management in Mozambican higher education institutions. The workshop brought together 32 participants including 12 women from universities and research institutes across the country, including a team from the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), which manages the PASET Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (Rsif).

An effective IP management is a critical part of an innovation system. IP are the creations of the mind, which are protected through patents, copyrights, and trademarks. Universities and research institutes can license their IP to private companies, which put them to industrial or commercial use. In this way, universities contribute to growth and development, when the out put of their research is put to use in the production of goods and services.

In her opening remarks, Dr Sheila Canda, Director of Mozambique’s Intellectual Property Institute stressed the importance of IP protection for national development. “The key role of the institute in supporting researchers is to protect novel ideas from their research work. Researchers need to embrace a culture of protecting their intellectual assets which will ultimately increase the number of protection rights in the form of patents, trademarks etc from higher education institution.”

Dr Fernando dos Santos, an IP expert who facilitated the workshop said, “There are several strategies that institutions can adopt to promote innovation and technology transfer within higher education and research centres across the country. However, for these strategies to be effective, it is critical to strengthen the linkages between innovation, technology transfer, and intellectual property management. This integration is key to fostering a strong culture of entrepreneurship among students and faculty in Mozambican institutions.”

Ms Cynthia Orangó, the Research and Innovation grants officer of Rsif underscored the role of universities in driving economic transformation through innovation. She said, “There is a need to co-create actionable, context-specific plans that will strengthen research translation, IP protection, and entrepreneurship in higher education institutions across Mozambique.”

Key sessions featured insights from Prof Manuel Rebelo who talked about Mozambique’s innovation policy landscape. Other presentations were on IP registration processes, and experiences from universities and research centres, including Eduardo Mondlane University (UEM), among others. Panel discussions highlighted lessons in developing effective IP policies to foster university-industry linkages.

By the end of the workshop, all participating institutions had drafted tailored action plans to improve their innovation ecosystems, marking a critical step toward advancing research commercialization by Mozambique’s universities and research organisations.

Egas Armando, Rsif Scholar and faculty member at Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, shares insights on how Business Incubation Centres and Technology Transfer Offices are helping universities turn ideas into real-world impact at the workshop.

The workshop was organised with the theme, “strengthening university innovation ecosystem and support for intellectual property management practices”, and specifically targeted Mozambique universities and research organisations that are benefiting from Rsif/ MozSkills project’s Institutional Innovation Capacity Building Program (ICBP).

Rsif s a flagship initiative of the Partnership for Skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (PASET). It is implemented by icipe as the Regional Coordination Unit (RCU) since August 2018. Rsif’s development objective is to strengthen the institutional capacity for quality doctoral training, research, and innovation in transformative technologies in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Mozambique is a member of the PASET. It contributes to the Rsif through its Improvement for Skills Development (MozSkills) project. Through this contribution, Mozambique is supporting 40 PhD scholars (32 Mozambican) and 14 research and innovation projects across eight Mozambican higher education institutions and one research centre are being supported.

University of Port Harcourt Leads Innovation Drive with UP-ECOSIN Project

Posted on April 10, 2025April 10, 2025 by Janet Otieno

The University of Port Harcourt (UniPort) is making great strides in transforming its research and innovation into marketable solutions through its Strengthening Institutional Infrastructure for an Innovation Ecosystem” (UP-ECOSIN) project. The project empowers researchers, fosters industry partnerships, and transforms research into marketable solutions. The project is funded by Partnership for Skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering, and Technology (PASET) Regional Scholarship Innovation Fund (Rsif) to address a critical gap in Nigerian universities: the lack of structures to translate research findings into marketable solutions.

The project is led by Onyewuchi Akaranta, a Professor of Industrial Chemistry, and Ibisime Etela, a Professor of Animal Science and the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture. Their goal is to transform the university into a hub for entrepreneurial research and commercialization.

The UP-ECOSIN project trains faculty and graduate students in competitive grant writing, as well as transform research output into commercialized products through start-ups and spin-offs. The key beneficiaries are post graduates at the Africa Centre of Excellence for Oilfield Chemicals Research (ACE-CEFOR) who are carrying out applied research for the sustainable development of the oil and gas industry in Sub-Saharan Africa. They also promote university-industry cooperation and develop a sustainable innovation ecosystem framework, especially for the oil and gas sector in Nigeria.

Turning research into products and services

Speaking about what inspired the need for the UP-ECOSIN project at the university Prof Akaranta says, “There was a felt need to embark on the project because as researchers we realized that the university system does not have a clear structure or policy aimed at moving positive research results from the field and laboratories to the market or places where they can be commercialized. This gap has in the past made both the individual researchers and the university waste opportunities to benefit from projects with tangible results and potential for commercialization.”

Mobile Biogas Digester with improvised gas volume measuring device — Mobile Biogas Digester with improvised
gas volume measuring device

He adds that this was part of an effort towards actualizing the overall vision of the UniPort, to become an entrepreneurial institution.

It was the first university in Nigeria to declare so in 2010 so they had to ensure that it is a research-intensive institution, which shall transform its products and services for addressing social problems.

Prof Etela emphasized that through the UP-ECOSIN project they train faculty and graduate students on competitive grants writing and has helped in positioning UniPort as a research and innovation hub in Africa and beyond.

“In deciding to carry out the project on strengthening institutional capacity building, we also realized that increasing awareness of researchers to commercialize results also means they have to conduct high quality transformative research.”

He went on to say that conducting such high-quality research requires funds, which are ordinarily not readily available through conventional funding from the government . Hence, the need to build the capacity of researchers to be able to actively solicit for grants to support their innovative research works.

Patents

According to Prof Akaranta, UP-ECOSIN project has, indeed, facilitated the transformation of research projects from laboratories into patents and ready for commercialization.

“Through the project, the importance of multidisciplinary approach to implementation became obvious with each team member bringing on board their perspectives to enrich the outcomes. For example, through the funding of the project we were able to engage the services of a lawyer who specializes in filing patents and this approach enabled us to speedily secure the national patents within three months. It usually takes longer to achieve the same,” Prof Akaranta stated.

15L Essential Oil Ext15L Essential Oil Extractorctor — 15L Essential Oil Extractor

On the project were industrial chemists, engineers, agriculturists and other experts working together to move it from the theory to producing tangible products.

This gave rise to the five pilot plants: 0.5 cubic litres mobile biogas digester,15L essential oil extractor, 700 kg fish dryer with oil collector, organic manure pelletizer, and 54 cubic feet gas-fired kiln for ceramics.

“They were designed to be fired using biogas thus protecting the environment from greenhouse gas emissions and controlling deforestation since the plants do not depend on direct firewood as fuel. For example, the fifth pilot plant which is gas-fired kiln for ceramics will support sustainable education in ceramic studies at the Department of Fine Arts and Design in the Faculty of Humanities,” Prof Etela remarked.

Prof Etela indicated that in addition to the five pilot plants designed to be biogas-fired, there are five other green chemicals derived from agro-waste that are available for venture capitalists and other interested investors to promote commercialization.

Industry collaboration

Since the project emphasizes university-industry collaboration, four partnerships have been established so far. This has facilitated easy access to real-life societal/industry problems and resources, enabling staff and students at the university to conduct more relevant and impactful research.

Organic Manure Pelletiser with Rotating disc, electric motor and control panel

“The partnerships have created valuable networking opportunities for faculty members and students, fostering hands-on internship programmes and career planning and development for our students. Curricula reviews of academic programmes of students who benefited from the partnerships with the industry, through internships, have seen the integration of classroom learning with hands-on experience,” Prof Akaranta said.

Overcoming challenges

Despite challenges such as fluctuating exchange rates and vendor compliance issues, the team employed meticulous financial reporting and proactive follow-ups to ensure smooth implementation.

Transforming mindsets

“Before UP-ECOSIN, less than 1 per cent of UniPort staff and students understood the importance of commercializing research results. Training workshops have sparked curiosity among participants, paving the way for future innovation. The workshops have created awareness about commercialization of research outputs. Now more than50 of staff and students understand the importance of commercializing research products,” said Prof Etela.

Lessons for African universities

Both the professors pointed out that teamwork emerged as a cornerstone of success in implementing UP-ECOSIN. This offers a model for other African institutions seeking to strengthen their innovation ecosystems.

“UniPort technical staff were indispensable in translating theoretical concepts into tangible products,” Prof Akaranta stated.

The UP-ECOSIN’s impact extends beyond its initial funding period through grantsmanship workshops that have led to major wins like the Mastercard Foundation Grant for African universities and Erasmus Mundus funding for graduate programmes in Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity. Because of UP-ECOSIN, several research teams at UniPort have also secured grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 over the last three years.

With its focus on capacity building, commercialization, and industry collaboration, UniPort’s UP-ECOSIN project exemplifies how universities can drive sustainable development while fostering innovation across Africa.