Annonce officielle du décès de la Directrice des TIC, de la Communication et de la Gestion des connaissances de l’AUA – Mme Nodumo Dhlamini, une figure éminente de l’enseignement supérieur en Afrique
April 30, 2025
Call for Expression of Interest – Understanding African universities’ capacity for climate adaptation research: Co-creating and implementing a climate-focused organizational capacity assessment tool (CO-CAT)
May 9, 2025
Scaling UP Food Processing in Africa – The Role of Young Scientists
- Background and Rationale
The Association of African Universities (AAU), in collaboration with the International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST), recognizes the vital role of young and early-career food scientists in shaping Africa’s food security and sustainable development goals. Supporting innovation, fostering excellence, and providing platforms for leadership development will strengthen Africa’s capacity for research, entrepreneurship, and industrial development in food systems.
This programme aims to create opportunities for emerging talent to showcase their innovative ideas, connect with mentors and industry leaders, and receive recognition for outstanding contributions.
- Objectives
- To encourage innovation and excellence in food science and technology among young and early-career scientists in Africa.
- To provide a platform for showcasing research and innovation in scaling up food processing in Africa.
- To foster leadership, entrepreneurship, and career development opportunities for early-career food scientists.
- To honour and celebrate the achievements of young scientists who are contributing to Africa’s food security and industrial growth.
- Scaling Up Food Processing in Africa – The Role of Young Scientists
Africa’s food processing landscape requires creative and practical solutions that integrate smallholder farmers, informal markets, and formal supply chains. The ‘One Mile’ approach – focusing on the immediate community and local market integration is critical to achieving scalable, sustainable food processing solutions that begin at the grassroots level.
The AAU, in partnership with IUFoST is organising a Young Scientist Competition to encourage early career food scientists and students to demonstrate real-life case studies of food processing innovation using the One Mile approach. The competition will promote creativity, critical thinking, and storytelling while showcasing how local food systems can be transformed through simple, practical innovations that support food safety and market access.
Competition
* Eligibility
African food scientists under 35 years or within 5 years of completion of their PhD/MSc.
* Submission Requirements
A one-page summary of innovation or research with clear impact potential for food processing scale-up in Africa.
* Application Deadline
18 May 2025. Applications should be emailed to secretariat@iufost.org
* Selection Process
Shortlisting of 10 candidates by the review committee.
Final selection of 5-6 for presentations during the Roundtable event on 30 May 2025.
Awards and Recognition
1st Prize: Plaque, mentorship opportunity, seed grant (US$1,000), and AAU/IUFoST innovation certificate.
2nd Prize: US$250.00, Plaque, mentorship opportunity, and innovation certificate.
3rd Prize: US$100.00 Certificate of participation and special mention.
Next Steps (Post-Competition)
* Winners to be featured in AAU and IUFoST newsletters.
* Opportunity to present at future regional or continental conferences.
* Invitation to join AAU/IUFoST mentorship and leadership programmes.
Application Deadline: May 18, 2025
Decision Notification: By May 22, 2025
Note: Finalists will present for 4-5 minutes on May 30th at an upcoming roundtable
