Women’s participation in research remains low in Africa, with women making up only 30% of the science community. This is similar within the tertiary education sector in many countries. Some subjects, such as engineering and physics, have exceptionally low women’s representation. This is not only a problem in Africa: for instance, women account for about 20% of earned doctorates in these fields in the United States.

On June 12, icipe, The Regional Coordination Unit for the Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund  (RSIF) convened an online Seminar with three major objectives to: (1) share results of the recently concluded RSIF gender study, (2) present initial recommendations for enhancing the participation of women in RSIF PhD programs and research for enabling RSIF to achieve its gender target of 50% women’s representation across its programs, and (3) obtain valuable feedback and buy-in from participants. The workshop participants were icipe management, lead contact persons from the RSIF African Host Universities (AHUs), gender experts, representatives of organizations working to advance women in science in sub-Saharan Africa, and African women scientists in our networks.

RSIF is the flagship programme of the African Government-led Partnership for Skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology which aims to (1) Create a stock of highly skilled scientists, professionals and innovators in applied sciences, engineering and technology (ASET) areas; (2) Identify and nurture young talented Africans to further their studies in ASET fields where expertise is needed most; (3) Address imbalances in the number of women and disadvantaged groups in ASET fields in Africa; and (4) Build African university capacity to provide relevant ASET training and to ensure continued investment in scaling up ASET education and workforce.
Just over 20% of the 1751 applicants for RSIF PhD scholarship Cohort 2 in 2019 were women. The RSIF program sets ambitious targets for women’s representation among its PhD scholars (50%) based on a commitment to gender equality and excellence in ASET fields to support Africa’s socio-economic transformation. Achievement of the RSIF gender target requires a carefully crafted and implementable gender strategy, along with deliberate and continuous engagement on the part of the RSIF team, RSIF AHUs, and partner institutions. The goal of the gender strategy is not to advantage women relative to men, but rather to level the playing field and ensure equal opportunity for women and men.

To inform the RSIF Gender Strategy, the RSIF gender study involved both qualitative and quantitative elements, including focus groups and in-depth interviews at the AHUs, and data from an online survey of 262 PhD alumni of 40 African universities. Results of data analyses, along with extensive literature review, provided an evidence base to inform development of the gender strategy to enhance women’s participation in PhD Programs and Research in ASET fields in African universities.

The Seminar discussed with participants 11 interventions to enhance RSIF women doctoral scholars’ enrollment, experience, performance, and completion. Priority interventions are those related to infusing family-friendly aspects into the program, providing women with mentoring and supervisory support that is tailored to their specific needs and circumstances, and ensuring women scholars have awareness of gender-related policies and practices at their institutions.

Enhancing gender inclusiveness in the sciences will require significant investment and deliberate efforts at various levels by various actors, including by universities, governments, and other institutions. However, the important payoffs from this investment justify the costs: removing existing barriers to women’s entry and advancement in ASET fields will increase substantially the number of intelligent, talented people making important scientific contributions towards solving Africa’s complex development problems. Indeed, the COVID-19 pandemic has made increasingly evident the enormous importance of science and the need to harness Africa’s existing potential for innovative home-grown solutions in addressing the pandemic. When a greater diversity of perspectives is engaged in scientific and technical endeavors, conventional assumptions are challenged, scientific findings are more complete and robust, and ASET innovations address the demands and circumstances of a diversity of stakeholders, including men and women. The draft RSIF Gender Strategy will be shared with key stakeholders for input before its finalisation later this year.

The Regional Scholarship and Innovation fund (RSIF) is organizing a six-day orientation and training workshop between 2-9 June 2020 for the recently selected 69 second cohort RSIF doctoral scholars. The 69 students join the 15 PhD scholars selected in 2018 who are now undertaking sandwich training in Korea, United States and Africa.
The orientation workshop aims to prepare new RSIF scholarship holders as they begin their PhD on key aspects of the RSIF program, including expectations for their research and as academics. The training will provide students with an introduction to key core skills useful to the new doctoral student, including science communication and PhD proposal writing, information literacy, research methods and data analysis. The training will be delivered virtually by the RSIF Regional Coordination Unit (RCU), International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya.

During the opening session on 2 June, the orientation training was opened by Prof. Aminata Sall Diallo, Executive Director of the PASET Executive Board. Welcome remarks were provided by Dr Moses Osiru, RSIF Manager, RSIF Regional Coordination Unit (RSIF-RCU), icipe, on behalf of Dr. Segenet Kelemu, Director General and Chief Executive Officer of icipe. Other remarks were delivered by Mr Sodedji Frejus Ariel Kpedetin, RSIF PhD Scholar (Cohort 1) at the University Felix Houphouët-Boigny, Côte d’Ivoire and currently undertaking internships at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST); Ms Ruth Charo, Senior Education Specialist and RSIF Task Team Leader, World Bank; Prof. Goolam Mohamedbhai GOSK, Chair – PASET Consultative Advisory Group; Former Secretary-General, Association of African Universities and Mr. Mike Hughes, Member of the PASET Executive Board, Advisor to the Minister of Education, Government of Rwanda.

In her opening remarks, Prof Diallo noted that “the five PASET priority areas of food security and agribusiness, climate change, mines, minerals and materials science, energy and ICT were carefully selected to contribute to the development agenda of sub-Saharan Africa countries. RSIF scholars will also support national governments to respond to challenges such as COVID-19”. She also thanked icipe for the leadership role they are playing to implementing the RSIF initiative on behalf of Africa.

Over the 7 days of the training, the scholars will benefit from specific trainings delivered by experts from icipe, the World Bank and the coordinators at the RSIF African host universities. Dr. Sajitha Bashir (Adviser for Science, Technology and Innovation, Office of Senior Director for Education Global Practice, World Bank) and Ms. Safaa El Tayeb El-Kogali (the Education Global Practice Manager for East and Southern Africa at the World Bank) based in Washington, DC will be among the speakers.

Topics that will be covered during the orientation training include how scholars can redress grievances; Sexual Harassment; Strategies for a successful PhD, including research planning and working with supervisors; PhD proposal writing; responsible conduct of research, including research ethics;  information literacy; research methods and statistics, data analysis and management; research communication and social media and the role of social media in higher education.

The 69 students in RSIF Cohort II will study at RSIF African host universities across the continent including Sokoine University of Agriculture in Tanzania; University of Ghana; University of Nairobi, Kenya ; Université Gaston Berger, Senegal;  Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, Tanzania; University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria; Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Côte d’Ivoire; University of Rwanda; Bayero University, Nigeria and Kenyatta University, Kenya.

The Second Cohort students all initiated their studies between March 2020 – April 2020, and were slightly delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Icipe has taken steps, in partnership with the universities to ensure the PhD studies continue. For more information on PASET, please visit www.rsif-paset.org

PASET-RSIF, Africa’s first Pan African Fund to support doctoral training, research and innovation, announces a Call for PhD funding. This is the third RSIF Call for PhD Students

30 April 2020: Over 100 talented African scientists interested in pursuing doctoral training in applied sciences, engineering and technology, have a chance to access fully funded scholarships tenable in selected, outstanding African universities in collaboration with highly recognised international institutions. 

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

Within this context, the goal of RSIF is to support PhD training, research and innovation, to boost technical and scientific capacity for the advancement and use of transformative technologies to tackle the continent’s most pressing challenges.

RSIF is currently funded by contributions from African governments, the World Bank and the Government of Korea; with the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (www.icipe.org) serving as the Regional Coordination Unit (RCU).

“In Africa, and across the globe, the need to build a critical mass of skilled science and engineering leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs, has never been more urgent. In turn, this scenario calls for innovative and ambitious strategies that most effectively harness and utilize resources from the continent, and internationally. And RSIF is an outstanding platform for the realisation of this aspiration,” notes Dr Segenet Kelemu, Director General & CEO, icipe.
RSIF incorporates a network of 11 African Host Universities (AHUs); competitively and rigorously selected universities, research institutes or centres based in Africa that offer a PhD programme in any one of thematic areas identified by PASET as priority economic sectors for growth and development in Africa. These include: information communication technologies (ICTs), including big data and artificial intelligence; food security and agribusiness; minerals, mining and materials engineering; energy including renewables; and climate change. Moreover, RSIF gives priority to women applicants and young African faculty to build Africa’s capacity for capacity building.

For more information contact:
RSIF Regional Coordination Unit
rsif@icipe.org

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED BY THE INTERNATIONAL CENTRE OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY, IN THE CONTEXT OF THE CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) OUTBREAK.

PREAMBLE
The icipe family, alongside the rest of the world, continues to grapple with the reality of the coronavirus pandemic. The Centre recognises the emerging and evolving nature of this threat, as well as its sweeping and sheer magnitude on just every sphere of society, right down to individual level.
We believe that events of this kind mandate us to play our personal roles while also acting collectively; to be cautious, but also resilient and determined; and to counterbalance vulnerability with courage. In particular, at icipe, this has been a time to remind ourselves of our place as workers in the frontline of poverty alleviation. Indeed, the coronavirus pandemic finds us stark in the middle of contributing to the battle against the desert locust devastating many parts of eastern Africa since the beginning of 2020; and the fall armyworm that arrived a few short years before it. That, alongside efforts to tackle a number of other menaces facing the continent that are within our mandate.

And based on this consciousness, our response to the COVID-19 situation has been purposeful; envisioned to safeguard our staff and their families, as well as our visitors, while minimising disruptions on commitments to our stakeholders, including our development partners, donors, collaborators and beneficiaries.
In accordance, icipe has aimed to develop a package of measures around COVID-19, informed by the best and latest evidence. Towards this goal, the Management has remained vigilant and proactive. We have tapped into the Centre networks; paid heed to host governments directives; and amalgamated information from international organisations, scientific literature, and the media. Since January 2020, we have maintained a consistent flow of information to staff along the following objectives:

• Provide basic understanding of COVID-19;
• Encourage and facilitate intentional preventative actions;
• Create awareness and assurance, and enhance preparedness;
• Build an atmosphere of solidarity, support, hope and purpose;
• Emphasise the importance of staff to follow country-specific directives issued by authorities and local health officials.

Dissemination of basic information on coronavirus to staff have been continually directed to useful online links and literature to update themselves. The aim has been to make teams alert, not just to the facts about the disease, but also to scientific progress being made to find solutions to it.
In response to the declaration of coronavirus as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organization (WHO) in February, icipe developed an initial contingency plan, creating a reasonable level of preparedness across the Centre’s campuses. As the situation has evolved, this plan has been upgraded accordingly, leading to the measures outlined below.

COVID-19 MEASURES CURRENTLY IN PLACE AT icipe
Hygienic procedures have been promoted consistently, including the need for regular and proper hand washing with soap, or using alcohol-based sanitizers installed in central locations across the Centre’s campuses.

Awareness raising of other “barrier gestures”, for example, keeping hands away from the face; avoiding handshaking, hugging and kissing, and close contact with people who have flu-like symptoms; covering nose and mouth with tissue, or coughing and sneezing into one’s flexed elbow; and staying at home, avoiding interaction with others, and seeking medical help in case of symptoms associated with COVID-19.

Preparations for evacuation of staff members who become unwell on-duty to appropriately equipped and prepared hospitals.

Social distancing, including flexible (remote) work arrangements, where roles allow, with appropriate provisions to ensure continuity of work.

Restriction of events, meetings and other gatherings, except when absolutely necessary. In the latter case, meetings rooms must be cleaned before and after, and sitting placements should allow safe distance between participants.

Reinforcing of cleaning protocols, including periodic de-contamination of high-risk areas within the Centre, like entrances and washrooms; diligence of cleaning teams, for example by sanitizing themselves in between locations and wearing masks as they perform their tasks. Cleaning has also been rationalised in favour of spaces that require more frequent attention.

Re-stocking and replenishing of vital items like masks, gloves, and disinfectants.

Training of staff especially those involved in cleaning and decontamination.

Instalment of TVs at multiple locations on campus with videos on how to wash hands properly and on how to decontaminate surfaces including tables, light switches, stair rails, door handles, etc

Switch to cashless modes of payments, preferably mobile money.

Enhanced catering procedures, including protection kits for food service staff; constant disinfection around service areas and dining tables; self-clearance and designated areas for used crockery/cutlery, and clearly marked dustbins for disposable items. As of March 18^th  the Centre’s cafeterias and guest centres have been closed.

Pre-empting the need to touch the handles by keeping doors to washrooms, offices and other constantly used areas open.

Revision of security checks at entrances to eliminate physical contact, while not compromising safety.
Suspension of travel to countries that have a level 3 travel health notice; while invitation of visitors from such countries is discouraged. Non-essential travel to other countries with reported cases of coronavirus for events expected to have large gatherings of people has also been restrained. International visitors to the Centre and its campuses from such countries are asked to self-quarantine for a period of 14 days from the time of their arrival.

Additional requirements for self-quarantine as follows: as events have an unfolded, more stringent requirements for those travelling have been enacted. As a result any staff who a) is returning from a country with reported coronavirus cases; or b) has had contact with someone who has been in such a location recently; or c) has had contact with someone who has been diagnosed with the coronavirus; is required to report the incident and self-quarantine for a period of at least 14 days from the time they return, or from when they became aware of, or suspect the diagnosis.

Household preparedness and safety recommendations, for example through development of household plans informed by respective needs and daily routine, as well as community collective COVID-19 preventive measures. The plans should include emergency contacts of friends, family and medical services, and should be designed towards strategic, rather than panic buying of food supplies and other necessities.

icipe@50 ANNIVERSARY
The most significant decision that we have taken in light of COVID-19, is the postponement of the icipe@50 main ceremony. Previously scheduled for 3 April 2020, this has been postponed to 20 November 2020. The 50^th anniversary is a major milestone for icipe and through our website (www.icipe.org), and social media pages, we will continue to share information on other planned activities taking place during the year. In due course, we will send you special publication marking this landmark.

We hope to be able to hold the icipe@50 ceremony as rescheduled. Indeed, we move forward with the aspiration that the current danger will pass, and that we will all prevail. Our confidence would be impossible without the unwavering support, empathy and flexibility of our donors and partners; factors that have allowed us to meet our obligations as best as possible amidst existing circumstances. We express our utmost gratitude to you all and look forward to better times.

Yours sincerely,

Segenet Kelemu, PhD
Director General & CEO

After reviewing the current prevailing circumstances on the evolving Corona Virus (COVID-19) pandemic and the implications on the health and safety of participants, as well as emerging and potential difficulties around travel, icipe management has decided to postpone the RSIF Technical Annual Learning Meeting (that was planned for March 31- April 3) to a later date.
Some of the considerations that led to this decision are:

1. The Government of Kenya has restricted the holding of international gatherings.
2. Feedback from a number of RSIF partners, whose travel has been restricted or banned, including our partners in South Korea, US, Europe and the World Bank.
3. A number of airlines have begun to restrict travel to ‘level 3’ countries, and continue to update these.
4. Risk of delays and disruptions at the airports resulting from screening for COVID-19.

We apologize for any inconveniences this change may cause and sincerely hope to be able to convene a learning meeting, later in the year.
We thank you for your understanding.