Recording from session V, the Pan-African hybrid RSIF-UM6P University Conference, held on 29 June 2022 in Ben Guerir, Morocco and online.

Theme: New International Partnerships

Moderator: Dr. Hassan Baloui, University Mohammed VI Polytechnic

• Speaker 1: Prof. Yanfen Wang, Chinese Academy of Sciences

• Speaker 2: Dr. Mathieu Guérin, Attaché for Scientific and University Cooperation, Professional Training, French Embassy, Kenya

• Speaker 3: Mr. Daisuke Mizoghuchi, Director, Nairobi Research Station, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.

• Speaker 4: Professor Rossana Valéria de Souza e Silva, Executive Director, International Cooperation Group of Brazilian Universities.

• Speaker 5: Dr. Aniss Bouraqqadi, OCP Africa Comments: Mr. Woonho Baek, Coordinator, Global R&D Strategy Team, Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER) Moderated discussion

Recording from session IV, the Pan-African hybrid RSIF-UM6P University Conference, held on 29 June 2022 in Ben Guerir, Morocco and online.

Theme: Innovation and Green Growth for Sustainable Development

Moderator: Prof. Mustapha El Bouhssini, UM6P Keynote: Building centers of excellence in Africa to enhance research and innovation in the climate sciences.

Thoughts for PASET’s RSIF Program.

Speaker: Prof. Lindsay C. Stringer, University of York

Respondents:

• Dr. Quentin Delpech, Senior education specialist, AFD

• Prof. Goolam Mohamedbhai, PASET CAG chair Panel Discussion – Innovative Climate Solutions

Moderator: Prof. Ghani Chehbouni, UM6P

Panelists:

● Panelist 1 : Prof. Daouda Kone, RSIF Coordinator, Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Côte d’Ivoire

● Panelist 2: Dr. Laurenda Todome, Program Manager, ACED, Benin, RSIF supported innovation project

● Panelist 3: Mr. Nana Okyir Badoo, RSIF PhD student, University of Ghana ● Panelist 4: Prof. Rachid Doukkali, OCP Africa and UM6P University

● Panelist 5: Prof. Rachid Serraj, UM6P University Moderated Discussion

Recording from session III, the Pan-African hybrid RSIF-UM6P University Conference, held on 28 June 2022 in Ben Guerir, Morocco and online.

Theme: Creating Shared Value

Moderator: Dr. Mafini Sarratou Dosso, Chief Economist and Policy Analyst, European Commission Joint Research Centre

Keynote: Building Africa’s STI sector to support industrialisation in Africa. Speaker: Dr. Kamau Gachigi, Executive Director, Gearbox, Pan African Network, an RSIF partner organisation

Respondent: Dr. Ellie Osir, STI Advisor, International Development Research Center (IDRC)

Panel Discussion – Nurturing collaboration between universities and industry – Lessons, experiences and best practice

Introductory remarks: • Ms. Cynthia Orang’o, Grants Officer, RSIF, icipe

Panelists:

● Panelist 1: Prof. Fulufhelo Nelwamondo, CEO of the National Research Foundation, South Africa

● Panelist 2: Prof. Murtala Sabo Sagagi, Dangote Business School, Bayero University, Kano, an RSIF African host university

● Panelist 3: Prof. Azikiwe Peter Onwualu, Prof. and acting President, African University of Science and Technology, Nigeria, an RSIF African host university

● Panelist 4: Mr. Gerard den Ouden, Programme Manager, Science and Technology Expert, GOPAcom

Comments:

● Dr. Amadou Gouzaye, OCP Africa

● Mrs. Patricia Poku Diaby, CEO, Plot Enterprise LTD

Recording from session II, the Pan-African hybrid RSIF-UM6P University Conference, held on 28 June 2022 in Ben Guerir, Morocco and online.

Theme: Digital Revolution, Global Challenges and Implications for Africa. Moderator: Dr. Julius Ecuru, Manager, BioInnovate Africa

Keynote 1: Sustainability Science: The role of higher education and research and implications for RSIF. Speaker: Dr. Valérie Verdier, President, IRD, France (Audio in French)

Keynote 2: Science, technology and innovation for meeting the Sustainable Development Goals in Africa: Some lessons from icipe’s work Speaker: Dr. Segenet Kelemu, CEO and Director General, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, icipe, the RSIF Regional Coordination Unit (starting at 30:21 mins)

• Moderated discussion (starting at 48:00 mins) Panel Discussion – Digital Innovation (starting at 1 hour 12:05 minutes)

●Moderator: Mr. Suraj Shah, Lead, Regional Centre for Innovative Teaching and Learning in ICT at Mastercard Foundation

● Panelist 1: Dr. Charity Wayua, IBM Research Africa

● Panelist 2: Dr. Samuel Maina, Senior Applied Research Scientist, Microsoft Africa Research Institute

● Panelist 3: Ms. Harriet Sibitenda, Uganda, RSIF PhD student at University of Gaston Berger, Senegal

● Panelist 4: Prof. Jules Degila, University of Abomey-Calavi, an RSIF African Host University Comments:

• Dr. Maria Uriyo, Executive Director, Abacus Robotics

Recording from the opening session of the Pan-African hybrid RSIF-UM6P University Conference, which was held from 28-29 June 2022 in Ben Guerir, Morocco and online. The conference theme was: African-led science, technology, and innovation for contributing to the SDGs and stimulating global development. A total of 102 participants attended in person at UM6P in Morocco and 1,082 attended virtually.

Conference Welcome and Opening

Moderators: Dr. Moses Osiru, icipe & Dr. Rachid El-Fatimy, UM6P University Brief RSIF, OCP Africa & UM6P University videos

1. Welcome remarks by Mr. Hicham El Habti, President, UM6P University

2. Introductory remarks by Dr. Segenet Kelemu, DG icipe, the RSIF Regional Coordination Unit

3. Opening remarks by Ms. Muna Salih Meky, World Bank

4. Remarks by Prof. Aminata Sall Diallo, PASET Executive Director

5. Welcome statement by Dr. Zuzana Schwidrowski, North Africa Director, representing Dr. Vera Songwe, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa

6. Official Opening Statement by Hon. Dr. Valentine Uwamariya, Minister of Education, Rwanda and PASET Governing Council Chair

Guided by the Conference theme “African-led science, technology and innovation for contributing to the SDGs and global development”, the meeting focused on how to actualise the African countries agenda to train doctoral students in high quality PhD programmes in applied sciences, engineering and Technology (ASET) in the key thematic areas of PASET.

The RSIF mentorship platform is a away of RSIF scholars to be apart of the RSIF community, no matter where they are physically located.

“We need structural transformation of our economies, and the only way we can do this is through research and innovation”. This was Prof. Aminata Sall Diallo’s message to the participants of the Pan-African hybrid Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (RSIF) – UM6P Conference in Morocco from 28-29 June 2022.

“RSIF is a very important project because it allows great opportunities for our Young people in Africa. 70% of the population in Africa is below the age of 30, so when you have such a young population and make the right kind of investments for them, it will be a huge potential for development of the region. We might have the next Einstein in Lesotho or Kenya”.

The Pan-African hybrid Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (RSIF) – UM6P Conference themed African-led science, technology and innovation for contributing to the SDGs and global development will take place at the University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P) in Ben Guerir, Morocco and online from 28-29 June 2022. The objective of the Conference is to engage with new partners, showcase achievements of RSIF and facilitate resource mobilisation.