The first TUM.Africa Talent cohort consists of six candidates from the sub-Saharan region: students from the strategic partner university KNUST, the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) and from the University of Nairobi. In addition to the African students, their TUM buddies and the supervisors of their respective home universities were also part of the event.
Prof. Juliane Winkelmann, TUM Senior Vice President International Alliances & Alumni and Prof. Daniel Duah, Dean of the International Programs Office at KNUST cordially welcomed the group. In her opening address, SVP Winkelmann emphasized the TUM Board of Management's goal of providing increased support for the many promising scientific collaborations that have developed with African partners and, in particular, with the sub-Saharan region of the continent.
“I am deeply convinced that international education and international cooperation are key to help us find solutions to today's pressing global challenges. In this context, it is particularly important to support and to connect the next generation of scientists in Europe and in Africa.”
International cooperation and mutual understanding as key elements
TUM, together with its strategic partner university KNUST, wants to support project development in the sub-Saharan region across all disciplines. With TUM.Africa Talent, both research institutions aim to specifically promote collaboration as well as long-term and impactful relationships in the sub-Saharan Africa region.
Prof. Daniel Duah pointed out the importance of international cooperation and mutual understanding in his speech:
"KNUST and TUM are universities with a strong focus on research. As scientists, we grow with the challenges of our work, but we specifically grow when we work together with our colleagues from other cultures, other scientific environments. The fact that the TUM.Africa Talent focuses on both aspects makes this program a unique opportunity for all participants. And for that reason, KNUST is very supportive of the program.”
After the introduction, participants came together in multidisciplinary small groups led by their international supervisors. In these groups, doctoral candidates had the opportunity to share their individual research interests in land management, smart grid security, statistics, electric vehicles and solar energy, stochastic disease modeling, global health, and social sciences.
The next steps for TUM.Africa Talent
The next milestone of the TUM.Africa Talent Program will be reached in April 2023, when the six African participants will be welcomed by their supervisors and buddies for the three- to four-month research stay at their respective TUM School. While the candidates and their buddies will conduct individual research projects, the program also includes group-oriented elements organized by the TUM Graduate School. For example, the cohort will have the opportunity to participate in accompanying workshops and expert discussions on the program focus "Sustainable Global Leadership."
The TUM.Africa Talent Program also includes Welcome Days and other networking events to foster long-term connections between candidates, buddies and their mentors. Upon successful completion of the program, participants will receive a certificate from TUM Graduate School.
More about TUM.Africa Talent
More about our partnership with KNUST