Transition from a (Sandwich) PhD programme at Wageningen University to an academic career in Africa

Wageningen University hosts more than 2000 PhD candidates from all over the world of which almost 10% are from African countries. Among them an important category are Sandwich PhD candidates who spend part of their PhD programme in Wageningen and part at their home institution or partner institution in Africa. After obtaining the PhD degree many return to their home institutions and are now pursuing an academic career. The Sandwich PhD program is quite unique world-wide. It builds partnerships between Wageningen University and research institutions in Africa. This programme provides many opportunities for building an academic career for individuals, but it also presents some challenges.

This workshop is an initiative of three Sandwich PhD graduates – from Benin, Zimbabwe, and Zambia - who will also be our special guests. They have moved to an academic position at their home institute and will share their experiences and will reflect on successes, challenges, and opportunities of the PhD programme at Wageningen University and their experience afterwards. We will also highlight on how to maximize on mutual benefits for all involved, the PhD candidates, their Wageningen counterparts and the Universities/partner institutions involved, and how to navigate pitfalls. 

TENTATIVE PROGRAMME (subject to minor changes)