International Alumni participants for E-JUST Visiting Program in Spring 2024 (Part 1)

In Spring 2024, a two-week program has been announced to E-JUST International Alumni to gain a chance to revisit E-JUST. This program aims to promote research collaboration between E-JUST and International Alumni, and enhance institutional relation with universities in Africa. Eight E-JUST Alumni applied for this program where six of them have been accepted to visit E-JUST during February and March 2024.

For the participants, this program has given them an opportunity to come back to E-JUST and reconnect with their E-JUST family as well as meet new students. Although the program agenda may have been slightly different from what some of them had originally expected, but after completing the program, it can be seen that they have gained confidence, broadened their limits, and exchanged knowledge and expertise. Two weeks may have not been enough to write a research paper for most of them, but they were able to create a foundation for a future paper by discussing possible topics of research and forming a community with other E-JUST researchers. Also, one of the participants wrote a paper during the two weeks which is currently with the editor for future publication.

“I did an extensive work of improving a paper which I submitted earlier during my master’s study as a response for the reviewers to be sent back for publication. I also met with research colleagues and students to figure out solutions with problems they are facing, and I created a Power Point presentation to be shared with UG students. In addition, I discussed about research collaborations related to finding solutions to problems in Zimbabwe and include the E-JUST host professor as one of the research collaborators”- One of the participant Mr. Allan from Zimbabwe reflected his activity for 2 weeks.
Another alumni, Mr. Hudson from Kenya said, “I participated in a research topic which I was working on in the field of Mechatronics, and engaged with professors in my department concerning the course of “Mechatronics” and shared its contents to establish this course in my home university. I discussed with the professors how to get funding for this course and the equipment needed. I also discussed with the host professor about future research collaborations to work hand in hand in application of grants in various research activities”.

In conclusion, this program has allowed them to strengthen their connection with their professors and other researchers. The interaction with other researchers and students have given them a platform to share their knowledge. Based on these participants and supervisors’ voice, we will plan to improve and continue this visiting alumni program next semester.

Through E-JUST, JICA aims to expand the network between Africa, Egypt and Japan. JICA will continue supporting by accepting more International E-JUST Alumni in order to widen the network for research collaborations and resource interlinkage within and beyond Africa.