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Our 40 Fellows, currently in their second phase of the Mawazo Fellowship Programme, are our most varied and diverse in terms of research backgrounds and nationality. In total they represent sixteen (16) African nations. Each is pursuing innovative local research in a range of fields including Agriculture; Technology; Climate Change; Engineering; Gender and Governance; Business, Entrepreneurship and Economics; Health; and Education. Every month we will be spotlighting their achievements and how they are impacting the world with their research. To support the next generation of African leaders and innovators, donate here.
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| Rehemah Gwokyalya (UG) - 2023 Mawazo Fellow |
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Rehemah Gwokyalya, from Uganda, attended the 5th International Fruit Fly Symposium of TEAM (Tephritid workers of Europe, Africa and Middle east) in Mauritius. During the conference, held on 15th to 18th April, she delivered a brief presentation that served as valuable preparation for her upcoming speaking engagement in Kyoto, Japan at the International Congress of Entomology. Her research focuses on the study of invasive fruit flies and contributes significantly to the ongoing discussion regarding sustainable, eco-friendly alternatives to conventional pesticides.
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| Celia M. J. Matyanga (ZWE) - 2023 Mawazo Fellow |
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Celia M. J. Matyanga, from Zimbabwe, a clinical pharmacologist, has been selected as a “One Million Leaders Africa” 2024 Fellow. OMLA, is an annual Fellowship that identifies and recruits young African talents for leadership training. The Fellowship lasts for two months and covers topics such as Leadership, Sustainability, Social innovation and Social entrepreneurship. Additionally, over the course of a year, the Fellows are expected to mentor other young Africans and engage in community programming.
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| Darline Dize (CMR) - 2023 Mawazo Fellow |
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Darline Dize, from Cameroon researches alternative therapies to control African trypanosomiasis, also known as African Sleeping Sickness. Recently, she has been accepted to an internship at NOVARTIS in Switzerland. NOVARTIS is an innovative medicines company dedicated to fostering the next generation of scientists. Darline’s internship will run from June to August 2024 and promises to significantly enhance Darline’s understanding of her research endeavours and its potential to revolutionise the industry.
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| Prossy Namuwulya (UG) - 2023 Mawazo Fellow |
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Prossy Namuwulya, from Uganda has made major steps in her policy engagement journey in the field of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources, and BioSecurity. She has achieved two notable milestones: firstly, her research paper has been approved for publication; secondly, she is currently compiling a policy document based on her work assessing measles and measles-like diseases. Her groundbreaking research has shed light on systemic gaps in measles vaccination coverage in Uganda that require attention from policy makers. Prossy is preparing to meet with relevant policymakers and share her research findings.
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The Mawazo Institute has now been supporting Fellows since 2018, and the network of African women researchers we have created just crossed the 90 mark. Through our Connects Network, we continue to engage and support all the women who have gone through our Fellowship Programme. To illustrate the impactful work of our researchers, we will be spotlighting two women among our Alumni in every newsletter:
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| Dr. Trizah Milugo (KEN) |
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Dr. Trizah Milugo is a 2021 Mawazo Fellow and a Malaria researcher who we interviewed on World Malaria Day on April 25th, 2024. Click here to read our full interview with her about her work, the concerning gender implications of malaria infections in Africa, and how Mawazo has helped her further her research.
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| Desta Gebeyehu (ETH) - 2021 Mawazo Fellow |
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Desta Gebeyehu is a 2021 Mawazo Fellow from Ethiopia attempting to disrupt the agricultural sector in her country. Her PhD research in Optimization of biofuel, has led to her beginning the process of registering a company and applying for Intellectual Property rights for an agricultural Bio Product. Read more about her work, and how Mawazo changed her research trajectory here.
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| Mawazo Fellows Participate in Policy and Public Engagement Course |
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The Policy Engagement for Researchers CoreCourse live event, facilitated by Mawazo’s Communications team, marked the conclusion of an engaging and necessary experience for the Fellows. The seminar brought 36 fellows together to reflect on the importance of leveraging their research for policy impact in their respective countries. The Fellows expressed positive feedback towards the course, finding it timely and engaging.
As the Fellowship Programme enters its final stages, Mawazo is excited to offer a series of micro courses tailored to various research areas. These topics include Participatory Action for Researchers, Gender Lens for Researchers, Climate Lens for Researchers, and Internet and Data Security. These courses aim to provide additional skills and knowledge to further enhance the Fellows’ research capabilities.
Moreover, Mawazo remains committed to supporting the Fellows in their ongoing research activities through various means such as monthly catch-up meetings and the Fellows Fund. These initiatives offer valuable opportunities for deeper connection and collaboration among fellows.
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| Cast From Clay Sparks Innovation in Mawazo’s Research Communication |
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On 23rd April 2024, the Mawazo Institute hosted Natallia Nenarokamava, the Head of Strategy at Cast from Clay, a UK based policy strategy consultancy, at our Nairobi offices. The visit presented an invaluable opportunity for the Mawazo team to connect with one of our strategic partners and delve into discussions on enhancing policy communication within the organisation. Cast from Clay, an organisation that specialises in shaping and revolutionising policy narratives to drive substantial change, delivered a compelling presentation on How to Communicate Complex Ideas in a Digital Space. The session offered profound insights for both the Mawazo team and alumni focusing on essential aspects such as online-self presentation and persuasive communication techniques. Furthermore, the meeting sparked engaging dialogues on the evolving landscape of social media branding and the implications of organisations representing themselves online as a collective entity versus through their individual staff members.
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| Mawazo's Emerging Trends in Research Sector Briefs Launched |
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At the Mawazo Institute, our primary objective is to stay abreast of research advancements across Africa. We continuously refine methods to identify and support participants in the Mawazo Fellowship program engaged in promising research endeavors. Understanding the research landscape for African women researchers is a key focus, mapping how their work aligns with innovative solutions and impactful innovations. The creation of the Emerging Trends in Research: Sector Briefs report reflects a dedication to gaining deeper insights into emerging priorities, needs, and future expansion areas within African research.
The Sector Briefs are comprehensive reports that explore key contextual information within four main themes resulting from internal research. These themes, identified after a thorough evaluation of diverse data sources, include Climate Change, Natural Resources and the Environment; Gender, Rights and Governance; Life and Health Sciences; and Indigenous Knowledge Systems. Through collaboration with partners, Fellows, and alumni during the launch of the Emerging Trends in Research in September 2023, these focal points were further enriched with high-level insights on emerging research topics. The Sector Briefs serve as a strategic roadmap for future research endeavors, promoting collaboration and innovation across these dynamic sectors.
Moving forward, our commitment remains unwavering, fostering a dynamic and inclusive research environment that empowers women to lead the way in shaping Africa’s future through their innovative contributions. Find the report here.
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In April 2023, Mawazo Fellow Miriam Loivotoki garnered media attention in Tanzania for her contributions to raising awareness about autism. She was interviewed by Azam Media in Swahili as part of the activities commemorating Autism Awareness Month.
The coverage provided a platform for Miriam to share insights and information about autism, aiming to increase understanding and support for individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Through her interview with Azam Media, she highlighted the importance of education, acceptance, and inclusion for individuals with autism in Tanzanian society. Find out more, here.
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| A Year of Gratitude, Empowerment and Collaboration at Mawazo |
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As I approach my one-year anniversary at Mawazo Institute, I am filled with gratitude for the enriching experience of contributing to such a dynamic organisation. As the Monitoring and Evaluation Lead, I've had the privilege of witnessing first-hand the transformative impact of our work in supporting women-led research across Africa. Each day, I am inspired by the dedication of my colleagues and the visionary leadership that guides our efforts. It's truly an honour to be part of a team where women uplift and empower each other, fostering an environment of collaboration and innovation. I am deeply appreciative of the warm welcome and unwavering support I've received from my colleagues, whose kindness and expertise have made every step of this journey rewarding. As I reflect on the past year, I am excited for the opportunities ahead and look forward to many more years of meaningful contributions to Mawazo's mission and vision.
Patrick Atandi - Monitoring and Evaluation Lead
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| Support Africa's Next Generation of Change-makers |
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You can help us shape the future of women researchers on the continent by making a donation. No amount is too small – or too big. Make a donation today via debit/credit card, Paypal, or MPESA.
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| Spread the word |
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