The UK government has pledged £25 million to bolster physics research in Africa, marking a crucial step towards advancing scientific capabilities and addressing pressing global challenges. The announcement, made jointly by research bodies in the UK and South Africa on March 12th, signals a significant commitment to collaborative initiatives across several African nations.

The Africa-UK Physics Partnership Programme, receiving £10.33 million of the total funds, is set to empower physics researchers in seven sub-Saharan countries including Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda. This substantial investment aims to foster new global research networks focusing on critical areas such as radio astronomy and sustainable energy.

Funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) through the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF), the programmes are a collaborative effort between the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), the National Research Foundation (NRF) in South Africa, and the Institute of Physics (IOP) in the UK, among other institutes.

The Research Infrastructure Partnership Programme (RIPP) will facilitate collaborations between NRF and STFC facilities, promoting activities such as training, staff exchanges, and collaborative research. It will also support the transformation agenda of historically disadvantaged institutions in South Africa.

Furthermore, the Africa-UK Physics Partnership Programme, a collaboration between STFC and IOP, aims to address the underrepresentation of physics research in Africa. By building and sustaining a skilled cohort of STEM graduates, this programme seeks to tackle climate change and sustainable energy challenges through mutually beneficial UK-African collaborations.

Professor Mark Thomson, Executive Chair of STFC, expressed pride in the initiative, emphasising its role in advancing global physics research. The programmes, funded through Official Development Assistance (ODA), underscore the UK's commitment to international cooperation in science and technology, fostering collaborative endeavours essential for addressing complex global issues.

 

Article by RB Reporter

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https://www.ukri.org/news/stfc-announces-funding-for-two-flagship-african-partnerships/