Partnering for research and development

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Written on Tuesday, 02 April 2013 04:59

Capacity Development, Technology and Knowledge Transfer Initiative: a joint agreement between Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) and the Biosciences eastern and central Africa–International Livestock Research Institute (BecA-ILRI) Hub, 14th March 2013.

The Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) and the Biosciences eastern and central Africa- International Livestock Research Institute (BecA-ILRI) Hub signed a formal letter endorsing a partnership between the two institutions on March, 14, 2013. The partnership will see both institutions benefit from each other’s resources and scientific knowledge. The signing of the letter of agreement for the Joint Capacity Development, Technology and Knowledge Transfer Initiative took place at the NM-AIST campus in Arusha, Tanzania.

The NM-AIST and the BecA-ILRI Hub have a shared vision of driving Africa’s development through the empowerment of African scientists to engage in cutting edge research. Through the partnership, the institutions will share skills, technologies and facilities to enhance their research and capacity building programs via exchange visits by researchers. The institutions will also conduct collaborative agricultural biosciences research aimed at addressing food safety and security in the region.

As an initial implementation of the agreement, Dr Morris Agaba, professor at NM-AIST School of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, will take up a joint appointment with the BecA-ILRI Hub. Dr Agaba will provide overall leadership of a project entitled “Harnessing genetic diversity for improving goat productivity in Africa” which brings together partners from Cameroon, Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania.

“The establishment of the First Research Chair is the beginning of great achievements to be realized though this partnership” said Prof. Burton Mwamila.

Other areas of collaboration will include exchange of Adjunct Faculty members, organization of joint technical meetings & workshops, various joint training courses and the co-funding of scientists to conduct research at the BecA-ILRI Hub. “There are many more opportunities for collaboration in research and capacity building” said Dr. Djikeng. “We shall continue to explore ways to further strengthen the partnership between these two institutions”.