Special Reports – Africa Edition
Fall 2021 AAP Dialogue Series
AFRICA

Expanding research on insects as food source is urgent

Globally, the human population grows by about 83 million people annually. As a result, food demand is expected to increase between 59% and 98% by 2050. As outlined by Sustainable Development Goal 2 – ending hunger – there is an urgent need to explore novel alternative and sustainable food and feed production chains. Insects may be a part of the solution. 		PHOTO
AFRICA

More PhD scholarships in applied sciences to be awarded

Scovian Lillian
The African continent and its universities need more high-quality researchers and innovators – not just male, but female scientists, too. The Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund, which supports researchers, is contributing to this goal as 40% of the PhD scholars are women, a recent conference heard.
AFRICA

Financing gender equality policies and practices

One of the critical reasons for the slow action on gender equity in Africa and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 5, is the under-investment in women’s empowerment strategies. In the higher education sector, various organisations are facilitating gender financing through building institutional capacity. Success stories are emerging.
AFRICA

Engaged universities: bridge-building for societal impact

Higher education institutions are finding creative ways to build bridges to policy-makers, the private sector and local communities. As a result, African universities have begun to draft plans and set up structures to increase engagement with external stakeholders who can benefit from the research they conduct and who can, in turn, inform educational and research programmes. Some innovative strategies are emerging.