The rationale for RSIF is that Africa requires world class scientists in priority thematic disciplines that are relevant to national economic growth across sub-Saharan Africa. How can a regional approach address critical national problems in developing research capacity? What is the role of national research funds in this respect? What are the lessons from the South African context for the continent?
Keynote: Prof. Fulufhelo Nelwamondo, CEO of the National Research Foundation of South Africa: The role of RSIF in Strengthening Africa’s development with a focus on SDGs
Moderator: Prof. Frans Swanepoel, University of Pretoria, South Africa
Join us for an engaging keynote by Geoffrey Siwo on his globally acclaimed research. Get his views of the contribution that science in Africa can make to global development and the SDGs. Learn more on some specific initiatives he is working on to support science in Africa – and make sure not to miss his message of encouragement to the RSIF scholars – Africa’s future scientific leaders.
Keynote from a global scientific leader from Africa: Dr. Geoffrey H. Siwo, Research Assistant Professor, University of Notre Dame, USA.
Moderator: Dr. Sylvia Mkandawire, Manager, ACE Impact Project, AAU
Rapporteur: Prof. Julius M. Mwabora, RSIF Coordinator, UoN
The keynote and subsequent panel discussion will provide African ministers and higher education stakeholders with a global updated perspective on the current covid situation and foresight analysis. We will look closer at what is happening in Africa – what has worked, what has not and what strategies/ best practices are emerging. Specific attention will be given to the impact of covid on education systems and what should be pursued; as well as impact on students and what needs to be done.
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Patrick Amoth, President of the WHO Executive Board
Moderator: Dr. Mercy Korir
Rapporteur: Prof. Gerald Misinzo, RSIF Coordinator, Sokoine University of Agriculture
Panel – Covid as a catalyst for science, technology and innovation response in Africa
Panelist 1: Dr. Mark Rweyemamu, Sokoine University of Agriculture, RSIF AHU. The role of African universities in supporting response to the covid pandemic and similar epidemics/ pandemics in the future.
Panelist 2: Dr. Shikoh Gitau, CEO Qhala and Member of ICT Advisory committee on Covid-19 in Kenya. Catalysing Africa’s digital future. What role for responding to covid and similar epidemics in the future.
Panelist 3: Mr. Rafiq El Alami, Director of Digital Learning Lab, UM6P. University responses to covid: Online education and creation of MOOCs in Africa.
Panelist 4: Dr. Danica Ramljak. Senior Science and innovation consultant, World Bank. Implications for the RSIF research strategy.
The RSIF doctoral scholarship programme has been designed using the best practices that have emerged from on-going programs globally, adopting a “sandwich” training approach that incorporates international and home-country study anchored in African institutions. There are currently 15 African Host Universities (AHUs), and 19 International Partner Institutions (IPIs). RSIF encourages partnerships and collaboration in training, research and innovation. Introduction by Ms. Sylvia Maina on her research placement in Korea.
• Moderator: Andries W. Coetzee, Michigan University
• Panelist 1: Prof. Maïssa Mbaye, Université Gaston Berger de Saint-Louis, Senegal (an RSIF AHU)
• Panelist 2: Prof. Abdelghani Chehbouni, University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P) (an RSIF IPI)
• Panelist 3: Athol Swanepoel, HR Director and Donavin Hattingh, Technical and Production Division, Nestlé
• Panelist 4: Kazuo Sasaki, Challenge Co. Ltd., Japan. Comments by Andrea Johnson, Program Officer, Higher Education and Research in Africa, Carnegie Corporation of New York
Join in from the start as we set out the context and expectations; get reminded of our objectives and shared potential to impact on Africa’s priority issues, such as Covid-19 and the power of science to change and shape our shared future in concrete ways.
■ Moderator: Dr. Julius Ecuru, Manager, BioInnovate Africa
■ Welcome remarks by Dr. Moses Osiru, RSIF Manager, icipe
■ Introductory remarks by President, UM6P, Hicham El Habti
■ Opening remarks by Ms. Safaa El Kogeli, Education Practice Manager, Eastern and Southern Africa Region, World Bank
■ Remarks by Prof. Aminata Sall Diallo, PASET Executive Director
■ Statement by Dr. Mahama Ouedraogo, Director, Human Resources, Science and Technology, The African Union Commission
■ Official Opening Statement by Hon. Dr. Valentine Uwamariya, Minister of Education, Rwanda and PASET Governing Council Chair
RSIF has a unique approach that combines intra-Africa academic exchange, and international training. The Fund incorporates a network of African Host Universities (AHUs), which are competitively and rigorously selected universities that offer a PhD programme in any one of RSIF’s thematic areas. RSIF is also building a network of international partner institutions (IPIs), globally recognised universities, research institutes, public and private companies.
Tusekile Alfredy 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: Selective Removal of Inorganic and Organic Contaminants from Water by Capacitive Deionization
Tchicaya Loemba, RSIF PhD Scholar in minerals, mining and materials engineering at The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) PhD/Research Topic: Techno-economic analysis of solar-assisted heat pump dryer integrated with thermal energy storage system
