Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) participated in the O.R. Tambo Africa Research Chair Initiative (ORTAChI) Annual Gathering held from 27 to 28 October 2025 at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda. The theme for the meeting was “Advancing Africa’s Future-Ready Generation: Leveraging Science, Collaboration, and Research Partnerships for Self-Sustainability and Aligned Growth”. The theme drew inspiration from the enduring legacy of Oliver Reginald Tambo, whose commitment to pan-African collaboration, education, and people-centred development continues to shape the vision of ORTARChI. The gathering reflected and agreed on how African-led research, innovation, and strategic partnerships can empower the next generation and build a self-sustaining, knowledge-driven continent.
SUA was represented by Professor Gerald Misinzo, the ORTAChI Chairholder, Professor Japhet Kashaigili, Director of the Directorate of Postgraduate Studies, Research, Training and Consultancy (DPRTC), and Professor Maulid Mwatawala, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic, Research and Consultancy). The meeting provided a platform for leading African universities from Botswana, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia to share experiences in advancing scientific research, postgraduate supervision, and postdoctoral mentorship under the ORTAChI initiative supported by the National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa, the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI), the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH), the Oliver & Adelaide Tambo Foundation, and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC).
The event was officially opened by Dr. Monica Musenero Masanza, Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation of the Republic of Uganda, who commended the ORTAChI programme for “strengthening Africa’s research capacity and producing knowledge that directly responds to the continent’s developmental challenges.” She emphasised the urgent need for African universities to translate their research into products and policy, and the importance of regional collaboration, sustainable research funding, and expanding postdoctoral training programmes to nurture the next generation of African scientists.
Deliberations at the ORTACHI meeting focused on advancing research excellence, mentorship, gender inclusion, and regional collaboration within the One Health framework. SUA’s contribution was prominently featured through the O. R. Tambo Africa Research Chair on Viral Epidemics, which leads research and postgraduate training in viral genomics, infectious diseases, and epidemic preparedness.
While in Kampala, the SUA delegation paid a courtesy call to Professor Sarah N. Ssali, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) of Makerere University, where they discussed ongoing academic linkages and agreed to chart out new areas of collaboration in postgraduate training, research, and staff development.
In addition to the ORTAChI sessions, the SUA team also had an opportunity to participate in the fifth African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) Biennial International Conference that took place from 29 to 31 October 2025. The theme of the conference was “Research, Innovation & Artificial Intelligence for Africa’s Transformation. The discussions highlighted the role of African universities in driving evidence-based policy, research excellence, and innovation through collaborative platforms. Participation in this meeting further strengthened SUA’s engagement with regional research networks and underscored its position as an active member contributing to ARUA’s shared vision for transformative higher education and sustainable development in Africa.
Through such engagements, SUA continues to demonstrate leadership in postgraduate and postdoctoral development, capacity building, and continental collaboration—contributing to the goals of ARUA, ORTAChI, and the broader Sustainable Development Agenda.