A Network of African Host Universities (AHUs) of PhD students supported by Partnerships in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (PASET) Regional Scholarship Innovation Fund (Rsif) in the areas of Agri-Food Systems and Climate change has been Launched during the International Conference on Dry lands conducted at Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria on 7 May 2025.
The first discussion on the initiative was made during a symposium organized by the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) in collaboration with the African Centre of Excellence in Agri-Food Systems and Nutrition at the University Eduardo Mondlane (UEM) and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education (MCTEs) of Mozambique in September 2024. The proposed Agri-Food Systems and Climate Action Network aims to enhance institutional capacity by providing a multidisciplinary platform for researchers to collaborate with other universities across Africa and beyond. This network focuses on improving research capacities and doctoral training programs in the food security and climate action field.
The founding members of the Network are:
- Africa Centre of Excellence in Agri-Food Systems and Nutrition- University of Eduardo Mondlane- Mozambique Link
- Africa Centre of Excellence for Climate Smart Agriculture and Biodiversity Conservation, ACE Climate SABC- Haramaya University, Ethiopia ( ACE Climate SABC)
- Faculty of Agricultural Economics and Policy/ Agribusiness- University of Ghana, Ghana (Faculty of Agricultural Economics and Policy/ Agribusiness)
- African Centre of Excellence for Infectious Diseases of Human and Animals in Southern &Eastern Africa (SACIDS)– Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania (African Centre of Excellence for Infectious Diseases of Human and Animals in Southern &Eastern Africa (SACIDS),
- Regional Centre for Crop Improvement (MaRCC),- Makerere University, Uganda (Makerere University Regional Centre for Crop Improvement (MaRCC) ,
- Centre for Dryland Agriculture- Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria (https://cda-buk.edu.ng/
Major areas of collaborations are:
The members in the network will collaborate in the areas of common interest like student and staff exchange, joint grant proposal development, research programs in Agri-food systems and climate action and its related areas, joint publication of research findings, joint students’ supervision and mentorship, and joint development incubation centers and businesses incubation and entrepreneurship programs.
The combined efforts of these institutions will contribute to address the skill gaps and provide practical solutions to strengthen the agri-food systems and climate resilience in the region.