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

Course schedule

Dates Start time End time Coordinator registrations
app/max
   
Friday, 29th November 2024 12:30 17:30 Vesna Prsic 18 / 100 Apply

Course description

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 African Universities / partner institutions involved, and how to navigate pitfalls.

For more information please contact: Sijmen.Schoustra@wur.nl

DATE: Friday 29 November 2024
VENUE: Wageningen Campus and hybrid via MS Teams online.  
The venue at Wageningen Campus will be announced a few days before the event.

PROGRAMME (subject to slight modifications)

12.30 - 13.30

Registration

13.30 - 13.35

Introduction

Dr Sijmen Schoustra

13.40 - 13.50

Importance of Sandwich PhD program at Wageningen University - Mutual benefits

To be announced

14.00 - 15.00

PANEL DISCUSSION

Shaping an African Scientist in Wageningen to unlock the continent's potential and beyond

Sakile Kudita, HarvestPlus and Chinhoyi University of Technology Zimbabwe

Dr Bernard Moonga, University of Zambia

Dr Blandine Ekpodilè University d’Abomey-Calavi Benin

15.00 - 15.15

Coffee/Thee break & Networking

15.15 - 15.35

Experience as a Wageningen and an African supervisor of such projects

Dr Grace Madzimure

15.40 - 16.10

Group discussion: Collecting questions, statements, discussion points

Moderators

16.15 - 17.00

Plenary feedback and discussion: take-aways and insight

Moderators

17.00 - 17.30

Drinks & Networking