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.

RSIF harnessing the digital revolution for growth in Africa; Robotoics, Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics and Internet of Things (IoT)

There is growing support by African Several governments. In addition, the Government of Korea, the World Bank, and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), through the European Union, are supporting RSIF

The number of RSIF scholars continues to increase. Some of the students speak on what the scholarship means to them

Colette Abimana is an RSIF PhD Scholar in minerals, mining and materials engineering at The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) PhD/Research Topic: Improving Energy Storage Systems for Sustainability of Renewable Energy Technologies for Electric Power Generation: “Supercapacitors”