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

Shaping the Future: Experts Unite in Mozambique to Strengthen PhD Programmes for Food Security and Climate Action

Posted on September 27, 2024September 27, 2024 by Janet Otieno

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.

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.

Cameroonian Female Scientist Pioneers Hydrogen Fuel Models with Less Carbon Emission

Posted on September 16, 2024November 4, 2024 by Janet Otieno

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-entrepreneurship-training-workshop-RSIF. Photo/Courtesy — *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.”