Events Details
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Overview
The African Academy of Sciences is a Pan-African, nonaligned and nonprofit organization headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, with a mandate to transform lives across the African continent through science. Through its Science, Technology and Innovation programmes, the Academy supports research excellence, strengthens scientific leadership and promotes evidence-informed solutions to Africa’s development challenges.
One of the Academy’s flagship programmes is the African Research Initiative for Scientific Excellence, implemented in partnership with the African Union and funded by the European Union. ARISE supports early- and mid-career African researchers to conduct high quality research that addresses national, regional and continental development priorities. The programme currently supports 47 grantees from 38 African countries, while also providing capacity strengthening, research leadership development and opportunities for international collaboration.
The European Union is a strategic partner of the AAS through its support to ARISE. In addition to funding the programme, the EU continues to promote scientific cooperation, research mobility and Africa-Europe partnerships in line with shared priorities on innovation, sustainable development, human capital development and inclusive growth. In October 2025, AAS and the European Research Council signed an agreement to facilitate mobility between ARISE grantees and ERC fellows. Similar cooperation and mobility agreements have also been signed between AAS and leading European research institutions, including CNRS, CSIC and IRD.
The Institut de Recherche pour le Développement is an internationally recognised multidisciplinary research organisation that advances scientific knowledge through partnerships with institutions in the Global South. Its engagement in this showcasing event reflects the growing importance of equitable scientific cooperation between African and European institutions.
The AAS, in partnership with the European Union Delegation and IRD, will therefore host a scientific showcasing event at Millennium University in Blantyre, Malawi. This will be the fourth in a series of showcase events designed to create a platform for scientific exchange among ARISE grantees, European research centres, and EU-funded or affiliated researchers.
The Malawi event will showcase the work of Dr. Sandra Jumbe, an ARISE grantee whose research focuses on the implementation of a Mental Health Literacy e-Curriculum in Malawian universities. Her work aims to improve mental health literacy among young people by using university and community settings to strengthen public understanding of mental health, reduce stigma, promote early help-seeking behaviour, and contribute to improved wellbeing.
Objective
The forum will provide a strategic platform for scientists, mental health practitioners, policymakers, university leaders, development partners and other stakeholders to exchange knowledge on mental health research and interventions, strengthen Africa-Europe scientific cooperation, and promote evidence-informed approaches that improve youth wellbeing and advance sustainable development.
Expected Outcomes
1. Increased strategic visibility and policy recognition
The event will enhance the visibility and understanding of the ARISE programme, the European Union and IRD among Malawian and regional stakeholders, including policymakers, universities, researchers, development partners and research institutions. It will also position ARISE fellows as emerging African scientific leaders contributing to solutions for major development challenges.
2. Strengthened research partnerships and scientific collaboration
The forum will support new and strengthened linkages between ARISE fellows, ERC, IRD, CNRS, CSIC researchers and Millennium University. It is expected to catalyze follow up engagements, including joint research proposals, co supervision arrangements, research mobility, mentorship, exchange opportunities and possible participation in Horizon Europe and other international funding mechanisms.
3. Improved mental health awareness and evidence informed policy dialogue
The event will improve understanding of mental health literacy and related interventions, especially in university and youth settings. It will also generate practical recommendations to inform national and regional policy discussions on mental health, youth wellbeing, research translation and the role of African institutions in advancing holistic wellness.
Key Contacts
Institution : Millennium University
Contact : Dr. Sandra Jumbe
Email : sjumbe@mu.ac.mw / s.jumbe@qmul.ac.uk
Institution : European Union
Contact : Dr. Laurent Bochereau
Email : laurent.bochereau@eeas.europa.eu
Institution : African Academy of Sciences
Contact : Dr. Boniface Ushie
Email : b.ushie@aasciences.africa
Institution : IRD-CNRS
Contact : Dr. Laurent Vidal
Email : laurent.vidal@ird.fr