biosciences capacity building in africa: lessons learned from biosciences eastern and central africa...
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Biosciences capacity building in Africa: lessons learned from the Biosciences eastern and central Africa – International
Livestock Research Institute (BecA-ILRI) Hub
Helen Altshul, Development Partnerships SpecialistBecA-ILRI Hub, Nairobi, Kenya
FAO, 17th February 2016
• AU/NEPAD - Africa Biosciences Initiative (ABI): Creation of four regional networks
• ILRI - Interest to support agricultural research in the region through facilitation of access to modern research infrastructure by scientists in Africa
Background
SANBio (Southern African Network for Biosciences) for southern African countries
NABNet (North African Biosciences Network) for Northern African countries
WABNet (West African Biosciences Network) for ECOWAS countries
BecA-ILRI Hub for countries in eastern and central Africa
Background
Business Plan 2013-2018
Program development and evolution
2007 – 2012 Implementation phase
2012 – Innovation phase
2002 – 2007 Establishment phase
Key program pillars
Biosciences research
Regional bioscience facilities and technology platforms
(genetics, genomics, bioinformatics, biorepository, nutrition)
Support to address capacity gaps& partnerships (NARS, CGIAR, ARIs)
IMPACT
The need for the BecA-ILRI Hub
Biosciences are one of the major engines of global growth not just in agriculture but also in human health, environmental conservation and industrial processes.
Africa lags behind in biosciences due to low human capacity and limited facilities.
The main driver of the BecA-ILRI Hub is to support and mentor African scientists in the application of biosciences in food security and agricultural development.
The need for the BecA-ILRI Hub
BecA-ILRI Hub video
Capacity building is conducted via four streams:1. ABCF Research Fellowships
• Research projects of 3-12 months • African NARS-affiliated scientists• Fit with BecA-ILRI Hub priority research themes
2. Training workshops• Introductory molecular biology and bioinformatics• Introductory lab management and equipment operations• Advanced genomics and bioinformatics• Scientific research paper writing• Animal quantitative genetics and genomics
3. Institutional capacity strengthening4. Mobilizing capacities for joint action
Capacity building at the BecA-ILRI Hub
ABCF Fellows Total number: 100+ (by
end 2015) Drawn from: 22 African
countriesTraining workshops Total number trained: 243
(by end 2014) Drawn from: 27 African
Countries
Number of people reached
Increased Awareness of BecA-ILRI Hub Regional impact of the ABCF >15 research papers published and >40 in
preparation Informing private sector, policy and local
government ABCF contribution to downstream impact Strong endorsement of the ABCF Fellowship
scheme by stakeholders 4 Communities of Practice at nascent stages
Capacity building achievements
BecA-ILRI Hub
Basic science Applications (products) Farmers needs
African National Agricultural Research Systems
Alliances with leading advanced research institutes
Strategic partnerships: empowering NARS to transform African agriculture
Challenges
High demand for fellowships and training courses
Diversity of African research and capacity building landscape
Few applications from some countries Few applications from women
scientists Limited investment by African
governments
Lessons learned
Mentorship is a key cross-cutting mechanism in the capacity building process
A strictly competitive process for ABCF Fellowships may not achieve strategic objectives
Need to engage National Councils for Science and Technology to provide return-to-home institution grants
Need to encourage NARS to provide increased co-funding of lab users and ABCF Fellows
Collaboration with other capacity building programs helps to magnify impacts
Continue to demonstrate responsiveness to demand led African research agenda for food and agriculture.
Build a broader faculty of experts to complement the core staff.
Create, strengthen and sustain the range of available technology platforms.
Continue resource mobilization to ensure the BecA-ILRI Hub is both accessible and affordable to the African scientific community.
Obtain restricted core support from international investors to underwrite some of the fixed and capital costs.
Way forward: critical success factors
Donors• BBSRC• The Bill & Melinda
Gates Foundation• CSIRO/DFAT Australia• DFID• Global Affairs Canada• The Government of
Kenya• Sida• Syngenta Foundation
for Sustainable Agriculture
• UNESCO
Acknowledgements
Partners/collaborators• Africa: NARS and
Universities in east, central and west Africa
• Europe: John Innes Centre, Roslin Institute, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), University of Cambridge
• North America: Cornell University, North Carolina State University
• Australia: Queensland University of Technology, University of Queensland
BecA-ILRI Hub Director: Appolinaire [email protected]
Senior Scientist - Capacity Building: Wellington [email protected]
Development Partnerships Specialist: Helen [email protected]
Mobilizing biosciences for Africa’s developmenthttp://hub.africabiosciences.org
Thank you!