TRAINING

Training is an important component of WAVE’s approach for a better control and management of transboundary plant pathogens. Indeed, training and mentoring programs are conducted in all WAVE member countries for MSc and PHD students. In WAVE’s phase 1, 27 MSc and PhD students have been trained. In Phase 2, 62 MSc and PhD students are currently being trained in WAVE laboratories.

WAVE also aims at increasing women’s participation in scientific research. To bridge the current gender gap in scientific research in Africa, a gender equity policy was put in place not only in the selection of excellent MSc and PHD students but also in the recruitment of local scientists and administrative staff. Besides, WAVE gives students the opportunity to attend international mentoring and leadership programs intended for women in science and technology. In addition, WAVE and its partner AWARD, are implementing the WAVE Women Career Accelerator (WWCA), a project aiming at strengthening the scientific, leadership and mentoring skills of 16 African women scientists working within WAVE.

Finally, WAVE enables local scientists and academics to gain new knowledge or improve their skills with trainings on capacity building, leadership, scientific communication and project management.

FACILITIES

In all hosting institutions, laboratories were built or refurbished and equipped with cutting edge technologies thus enabling local scientists to conduct their research in their own country.