EU-Africa: Developing excellent research and talent together

The challenges humankind are facing are global and require a shared response. Africa hosts the largest number of young talents: their high-quality education is crucial to becoming the key actors who shape the future of our planet. At the same time, the sustainable and inclusive development of Africa is still hindered by numerous obstacles.

The hybrid conference “EU-Africa: Developing excellent research and talent together”, which took place on 4 June 2024, focused on the “Capacities for Science and Higher Education” and “Green Transition” priorities of the AU-EU Innovation Agenda. It aimed to identify the most pressing needs, showcase ongoing collaborative initiatives, and create synergies within the research & innovation ecosystems of African and European countries.

For more information, visit https://www.eurotech-universities.eu/...

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Programme

WELCOME
Tatiana Panteli, Head of EuroTech Brussels Office
Matteo Gatti, Senior Researcher, Irradiated Solids Lab, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, and Lead of the EuroTech Working Group on EU-Africa collaboration

EU-AFRICA COLLABORATION INITIATIVES IN THE FIELD OF RESEARCH AND INNOVATION
Ahmed Maalel, Regional Representative for EURAXESS Africa

DEVELOPING TALENT
Showcase presentations, followed by a panel discussion

Hicham El Habti, President, University Mohammed VI Polytechnic
Walter Timo de Vries, Professor Land Management and Academic Coordinator of TUM.Africa, Technical University of Munich
Claire Morel, Head of Unit - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action, Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture, European Commission
Matteo Gatti, Senior Researcher, Irradiated Solids Lab, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, and Lead of the EuroTech Working Group on EU-Africa collaboration
Andreas Mortensen, Associate Vice President for Research, EPFL

THE GREEN TRANSITION
Presentation
Maram Ali Ahmed, Postdoctoral Fellow at École Polytechnique/National Ribat University/Al Neelain University

Panel discussion
Hélène Charton, Policy Officer, Directorate-General for International Partnerships, European Commission
Vanessa Miani, Policy Analyst Asia, Africa, MENA and External Relations, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, European Commission
Emmanuel Nakouné, Scientific Director, Institut Pasteur de Bangui
Mariana Rufino, Chair of Livestock Systems, Technical University of Munich
Kirsten Thomsen, Head of Research Secretariat, DTU Aqua, Technical University of Denmark