Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Studentships
This programme is building local capacity through training the next generation of African, American and UK scientists to PhD level.
The strength of scientific endeavour is often in large, multi-national networks—large groups of scientists focussing on common problems. Building those connections and networks is key to tackling international problems with the greatest chance of success. This programme aims to assist young researchers to build international networks, with a particular focus on the livestock diseases of sub-Saharan Africa.
The programme is centred on the Nelson Mandela Institute of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) in Arusha, Tanzania, and consists of 16 studentships, eight of which will be based at NM-AIST. The other eight studentships will be based at the four partner institutions: the University of Glasgow, the Scottish Rural College, Washington State University and Pennsylvania State University. The students will move through the programme as a cohort, with shared training opportunities offered throughout.
These scientists are expected to become the future champions for delivering solutions to African livestock disease challenges, as well as shaping the policy environment in the future. We expect this generation of researchers to play a significant role in animal breeding, effective control of infectious diseases, thereby increasing productivity of small ruminants raised by smallholder farmers and safeguarding public health through judicious use of antimicrobials in food animals.
The engagement of African scientists and policy makers through this programme of work will result in ownership of the problems affecting the livestock industry in their respective countries. We also hope to create a generation of African scientists and policy makers that will champion the livestock sector transformation through genetic improvement of the indigenous animals, effective diagnosis and control of livestock diseases as well as ensure that human health is safeguarded through consumption of wholesome animal products.
Specifically, the program will support interventions that will contribute to improved health and increased productivity of animals in the smallholder livestock production system as well as safeguarding consumers’ health:
- to develop a technical base of a Centre of Excellence in Tanzania that would support research and training focused on animal health and production
- to run a long term training programme for young and brilliant scientists at PhD and Post doctoral levels, and
- to organize annual workshops focused on training farmers and other stakeholders as well as transferring technology and expertise thus impacting on livelihoods of poor farmers.