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Merck Partners UNESCO, AU to Reward Researchers

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By Dipo Olowookere

Leading science and technology company, Merck, has collaborated with UNESCO, African Union, Ethiopia Ministry of Health, University of Cambridge and Institute Pasteur International to reward the 2016 UNESCO–Merck Research Award winners.

The nine winners under two categories, ‘Best Young African Researchers Award’ and ‘Best African Women Researchers Award’, were announced during the 2nd UNESCO-MARS Summit 2016 held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

“We are very happy to partner with UNESCO, African Union and Ethiopia Ministry of Health to achieve the important goals of improving women health and empowering women in research, as they are still under-represented in Africa,” Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of the Executive Board and Family Board of E. Merck KG emphasized at the inauguration of the UNESCO-MARS 2016 Summit.

Yifru Berhane, Minister for Health in Ethiopia said, “We are very happy to partner with Merck, UNESCO and Africa Union to build research capacity in Africa with the focus on young researchers and women researchers and to define policies to enable high quality research in the continent”.

“This is the first time the UNESCO-MARS is launching the ‘Best African Woman Research Awards’ with the aim of promoting women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) that has seen five women researchers from across Africa being recognised for the quality of their research.

“The awards are in line with this year’s UNESCO-MARS 2016 theme that supports empowering women in research and building research capacity in Francophone and Anglophone Africa to ultimately improve women health in the continent,” emphasized Rasha Kelej, Chief Social Officer, Merck Healthcare.

Beatrice Nyagol from Kenya Medical Research Institute was awarded the 1st Woman Researcher Award while Rogomenoma Ouedraogo from Laboratory of Biology and Molecular Genetics University, Burkina Faso received the 2nd Woman Researcher Award. The 3rd, 4th and 5th Woman Researcher Awards were granted to Sandrine Liabagui ep Assangaboua from Gabon; Maria Nabaggala from Infectious Diseases Institute, Uganda and Martha Zewdie of Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Ethiopia respectively.

The three categories of the ‘Best Young Researchers Award’ were given to two female and two male researchers with the 1st Award going to Patricia Rantshabeng from University of Botswana and the 2nd Award to Constantine Asahngwa from Cameroon. The 3rd Award were given to both; Tinashe Nyazika of University of Zimbabwe and Lamin Cham from the National Aids Control Program, Gambia.

“The awardees who are final PhD students and young investigators based at African research institutes and universities were selected based on the abstracts they submitted which were very impressive and related to Infectious Diseases with the aim to improve Women Health, which is the focus of UNESCO-MARS 2016,” emphasized Rasha Kelej.

UNESCO–MARS 2016 has brought together more than 200 researchers from more than 35 African countries to discuss the generation, sharing and dissemination of research data and to prepare for the road ahead in developing Africa as an international hub for research excellence and scientific innovation.

Of the 200 researchers attending the Summit, 60% are women. This is contributing to one of the main objectives of UNESCO-MARS, which is empowering women in research.

The Summit for the first time, is also addressing both Francophone and Anglophone Africa and has attracted researchers from 11 French speaking countries of Senegal, Rwanda, Gabon, Benin, Congo, Cameroon, Gambia, Burkina Faso, Morocco, Niger, Burundi. Researchers from English speaking countries are drawn from Namibia, South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Zambia, Tanzania, Uganda, Malawi, Liberia, Botswana and Ethiopia. In addition, researchers from Arab speaking and Portuguese speaking countries such as Egypt, Angola and Mozambique are in attendance.

The 2nd UNESCO MARS Summit is providing a unique opportunity for Africa’s young and talented scientists to share their research output and findings with the top echelon of scientists from Africa and abroad. It is also an opportunity for networking and career development. The Summit is presenting a platform where young scientists are able to discuss the enabling environment for better research among others.

“The researchers attending the two-day Summit are benefiting from diverse and rich scientific sessions that are focusing on the relation between infectious diseases and cancer in women; untreated infectious diseases and the high prevalence of infertility in Africa; and participating in discussions to identify scientific research priorities for evolving health needs to address infectious diseases such as Malaria, Schistosomiasis and Zika in relation to women health,” Rasha Kelej emphasized.

The Summit theme of “Infectious Diseases and Women Health” is informed by the fact that for many infectious diseases, women are at higher risk and have a more severe course of illness than men for many reasons including biological differences, social inequities, and restrictive cultural norms. Therefore, efforts to recognize and reduce health disparities among women have particular relevance for global health,” Uganda Minister of State of Health, Sarah Opendi emphasized.

Up to 15 African ministers of Health; Education; Science and Technology and Gender & Social Development participated in two ministerial high level panels at the UNESCO-MARS 2016. The ministers in discussions committed to support the building of research capacity at country and regional level, and the development and enforcement of policies to guide and promote scientific research for the benefit of Africa. They also pledged to enhance efforts to empower women in research.

The first ministerial high level panel on “Defining interventions to advance research capacity and empower women in research to improve women health in Africa,” involved: Sarah Opendi, Minister of State of Health, Uganda; Idi Illiassou Mainassara, Minister of Public Health, Niger; Julia Cassell, Minister of Gender, Children and Social Development, Liberia; Jesús Engonga Ndong, Minister of Education & Science, Equatorial Guinea and Prof. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of Executive Board and Family Board of E.Merck KG.

The second ministerial panel on “Research and policy making gap in Africa – challenges and opportunities – Africa as a new international hub for research excellence and scientific innovation,” included: Prof. Yifru Berhane, Minister of Health, Ethiopia; Prof. Afework Kassu Gizaw, Minister of Science and Technology, Ethiopia; Dr. João Sebastião Teta, Secretary of State, Angola; Zuliatu Cooper, Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation, Sierra Leone and Rashid Aman, Chairman, Kenya National Commission for UNESCO.

Dipo Olowookere is a journalist based in Nigeria that has passion for reporting business news stories. At his leisure time, he watches football and supports 3SC of Ibadan. Mr Olowookere can be reached via dipo.olowookere@businesspost.ng

Education

ComInfFest 2025: MTUCI Discusses Prospects for Exporting Russian IT Education

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By Kestér Kenn Klomegâh

An initiative, designed to foster a strategic collaboration between educational institutions from Russia and Africa, is set to bring together exceptional young professionals in the field of information technology. On 13th March 2025, the Moscow Technical University of Communications and Informatics (MTUCI) hosted a large-scale roundtable discussion on “Exporting Russian IT Education” as part of the International Science Festival “Festival of Communications and Informatics Science – ComInfFest 2025”.

The event became an important platform for discussing issues of promoting Russian educational programs in the field of information technology in the international arena. The roundtable was attended by representatives of embassies of 15 foreign countries and diasporas, interested government bodies of the Russian Federation, leading IT companies, international student organizations, as well as the president of the Cameroonian diaspora in the Russian Federation and chairman of the commission for work with African diasporas of the Russian-African Club of Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov, Louis Gouend.

MTUCI Rector Sergey Erokhin, the roundtable moderator, emphasized the growing interest in Russian IT education students from different countries, noting the need to create favorable conditions for their successful studies, adaptation, and professional development.

Deputy Head of Rossotrudnichestvo Pavel Shevtsov emphasized the importance of creating attractive conditions for professional growth and employment of foreign students.

Louis Gouend emphasized the importance of strengthening ties between the Russian and African educational communities and the role of the Russian IT sector in developing the potential of African students. He also touched upon the issues of adaptation of international students, proposing innovative integration methods and stressed that Africa will be a huge growing market for Russian IT education by 2050.

The participants discussed issues of social and cultural adaptation, competitiveness of Russian education, and ways to overcome language barriers.

The experts further emphasized the need for active interaction with foreign partners, popularization of Russian IT education, as well as interaction between educational institutions and businesses to create practical-oriented programs. At the end of the large-scale roundtable, Louis Gouend discussed with the university management the possibility of receiving subsidies for African students studying in the preparatory course.

Moscow Technical University of Communications and Informatics (MTUCI) is a Russian university which specializes in the field of information technology, telecommunications, and information security. It currently has a total enrollment of approximately 15,000 students. In January 1992, in accordance with Order of the Government of Russia, it received the status of as a technical university and transformed into the Moscow Technical University of Communications and Informatics (MTUCI).

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Education

Applications Open for Prodigy Finance’s $8,000 Scholarship

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By Modupe Gbadeyanka

An $8,000 scholarship has been launched by Prodigy Finance and the Esade Business School for women in graduate programs in a bid to promote leadership and empowerment.

The scholarship is open to women from Prodigy-supported regions, with applications accepted from March 14 to April 14, 2025.

The objective of the programme is to support the next generation of female leaders as part of the commitment of the parties to empower women, breaking down barriers, and leadership in their respective fields.

This scholarship is part of a wider initiative to increase diversity and inclusion in education and get more women into leadership positions across industries and communities.

It is for women starting their studies in the Fall of 2025, who must be from a Prodigy-supported region and attending a Prodigy-supported school.

After the closure of entries, a period of review will follow from April 15 to May 1, 2025, with the winner announced on May 2, 2025.

Applicants must complete the scholarship application within the specified timeframe and submit essay responses that assess their merit and need, the organisers said.

“At Prodigy Finance, we believe education can transform lives. This Women’s Day, we are pleased to be partnering with ESADE to support women from around the world.

“By backing their education, we are not only making learning more accessible but also enabling them to make a lasting impact in the business world,” the Global Chief Business Officer at Prodigy Finance, Ms Sonal Kapoor, said.

Prodigy Finance said it is dedicated to making quality education accessible. Known for its no-cosigner, collateral-free loans, the company offers student loan amounts up to the cost of attendance limits set by the schools.

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Education

YP4T Plans Educational Grant for SSS3 Students Across Nigeria

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By Aduragbemi Omiyale

An educational grant programme will soon be launched by a fast-rising support group, the Young Professionals for Tinubu (YP4T).

The scheme is to support at least 100 Senior Secondary School 3 (SSS3) students across Nigeria with funds for their final certificate examinations.

This initiative seeks to remove financial barriers for promising students, ensuring they have the opportunity to complete their education and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s growth.

“Education is the foundation upon which strong nations are built. By supporting 100 young Nigerians in their final year of secondary school, we are not only investing in their future but in the future of the country itself.

“This grant represents an opportunity for these students to complete a critical stage of their education, equipping them with the knowledge and confidence to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s progress.

“We believe that empowering young minds today will yield leaders who drive innovation, governance, and prosperity tomorrow,” the Regional Director for YP4T, Mr Alex Oware, stated.

Recently, in a continued effort to empower young Nigerians as active participants in the nation’s development, YP4T empowered about 1,200 young Nigerians with the knowledge and skills needed to take on active roles in shaping Nigeria’s future.

The programme was held under the Civic Participation Workshop and featured dynamic and interactive sessions on policy making and advocacy, digital citizenship and social media activism, leadership and public speaking, and understanding government and the constitution.

Participants had the opportunity to engage with experienced facilitators, ask critical questions about how to better integrate into political and civic spaces at both local and national levels, and receive practical guidance on how to make meaningful contributions to Nigeria’s development.

A resounding theme that emerged throughout the event was the growing number of young Nigerians approaching voting age, with speakers and facilitators emphasizing the urgent need for them to ensure they are registered to vote.

The discussions reinforced the principle that active civic engagement begins with exercising the fundamental right to vote, ensuring that young voices are represented in shaping the country’s future.

Mr Oware engaged the Personal Assistant to the President on General Duties, Mr Wale Fadare, in a conversation about what true nation-building requires from young Nigerians.

“True transformation is a collective effort. Young Nigerians have the energy and vision to drive change, and it is vital that we all work together to build a stronger, more resilient nation.

“A crucial part of this is making sure that more young people take their civic responsibilities seriously, from understanding governance to ensuring they are registered to vote,” the President’s aide said.

The event marks a significant moment for YP4T, which recently surpassed 3,000 registered young professionals dedicated to supporting and advancing the policies of President Tinubu.

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