Mobility for Plant Genomics Scholars to Accelerate Climate-Smart Adaptation Options and Food Security in Africa II
The GENES II project titled is a four-year (2024–2027) EU-funded initiative aimed at strengthening agricultural research across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Co-funded by the European Union, the project brings together six African namely Ebonyi State University in Nigeria; North-West University in South Africa; University of Abomy Calavi (Benini) Jimma University in Ethiopia; Egerton University in Kenya and University of Zimbabwe in Zimbabwe and Wageningen University & Research (The Netherlands) as a technical partner. By the completion of the programme in December 2027, the project aims to support 64 scholars, including Master's, PhD, and staff mobility. Currently the North-West University is hosting two PhD students and 1 MSc student who have already registered with the university and commenced their research. The students are based in the School of Agricultural Sciences (Crop Science Department) and also affiliated to the Food Security and safety Niche Area at the Mahikeng Campus.
What is the project about?
It is an academic mobility program offering scholarships for research and training in plant genomics, advanced phenotyping, and digital technologies for crop improvement.
Project impact
The long-term impact of the project is to address food insecurity and climate change in Africa by building local capacity in genomics, climate-smart and digital agriculture and reducing reliance on foreign expertise. The within Africa mobility is intended to train African scholars in an African setting to enable them to appreciate the problems on hand and offer African solutions to the problems of food insecurity.
Where and when?
The program operates across West, East, and Southern Africa from 2024–2027, with regular application cycles. In Southern Africa the project is hosted by North-West University and located at the Mahikeng Campus.
Enquiries
Prof. Sydney Mavengahama
Local Coordinator and Supervisor
