INRAE hosts students from sub-Saharan Africa in the framework of the NEMEDUSSA project
NEMEDUSSA (NEMatode EDUcation in sub-Saharan Africa) is an "Erasmus" and "Capacity building" project that has just been funded by the European Union for a period of 3 years. It is a training program in nematology for the African continent, targeting more precisely the sub-Saharan region. A first group of Master and PhD students were hosted by the IPN team of the UMR Institut Sophia Agrobiotech during the July and October 2021 sessions.
Published on 08 December 2021
This project includes 16 partners including two European partners: the University of Ghent, coordinator of the project, and the University of Côte d'Azur, as well as 14 African partners including 2 universities for each of the following countries: Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Benin, South Africa and 2 international research centers such as the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and the International Center of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), both based in Kenya.
This project also brings together 36 associated partners from the private and public sectors, interested in the management and use of nematodes in the sub-Saharan region.
This project aims to increase awareness and education on nematode issues, ensuring that plant parasitic nematodes are managed properly and that beneficial nematodes can be used as biocontrol organisms.
To achieve this, the project focuses on 5 main activities:
- Development of BSc and MSc course modules to be integrated into existing BSc and MSc programs in biology and agriculture,
- Development of a digital learning platform in nematology,
- Staff training and upgrading of training facilities,
- Establishment of a pan-African sustainable nematology network,
- Dissemination and sensitization of stakeholders to nematode issues of agronomic interest.
