Varsity launches EU climate project
ARUSHA: THE Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) has launched a major European Union-funded project aimed at strengthening higher education, research and innovation to help Africa tackle climate change and accelerate sustainable development.
The Strengthening Higher Education in Climate-Responsive Agriculture, EnergyEfficient Technologies and Digital Innovation in Sub-Saharan Africa (SHE-CREEDS) project seeks to enhance universities’ capacity to develop practical solutions in climatesmart agriculture, energy-efficient technologies and digital innovation.
Launching the project in Arusha yesterday, NM-AIST Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof Anthony Mshandete, described the initiative as a milestone in strengthening collaboration among African universities to address climate change, food insecurity, sustainable energy and digital transformation.
He said the project aligns with NM-AIST’s mission of producing world-class scientists, engineers and innovators capable of transforming African economies through science, technology and innovation.
Prof Mshandete said SHECREEDS will strengthen participating universities by enhancing research excellence, promoting academic mobility and supporting innovative solutions to Africa’s pressing development challenges.
“No single institution can solve the complex challenges of climate change and sustainable development alone. By working together, sharing expertise and learning from one another, we can create greater impact for our communities and the African continent,” he said.
He commended the European Union for financing the project through the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI-Global Europe), saying the investment would help translate research into socio-economic development while strengthening higher education across Africa.
Earlier, SHE-CREEDS Project Coordinator at NMAIST, Prof Linus Munishi, said the initiative seeks to mainstream climate change into higher education by strengthening teaching, research and academic exchanges in climate-smart agriculture, energy-efficient technologies and digital education.
He said NM-AIST is coordinating a consortium of universities from Tanzania, Ethiopia, Zambia, Côte d’Ivoire and the Democratic Republic of Congo to enhance research collaboration, knowledge exchange and institutional capacity across Sub-Saharan Africa.
According to Prof Munishi, the project will invest in the next generation of African scientists through six PhD scholarships, 18 Master’s scholarships and eight trainee exchange opportunities in climate-smart agriculture, energy-efficient technologies and digital education.
He said the mobility programme will enable students, researchers and academic staff to study and work across partner universities, gaining research experience, practical skills and international exposure while strengthening regional collaboration.
The initiative will also integrate climate change into biodiversity, livelihoods and health systems, enabling higher learning institutions to contribute directly to addressing Africa’s environmental and development challenges.
European Union Delegate Representative, Mr Alessandro Pisani, said the project reflects the EU’s long-term commitment to supporting education, youth empowerment, skills development and regional integration through the EU-Africa Global Gateway Investment Package and the African Union-European Union Innovation Agenda.
He said climate change is already reshaping livelihoods, economies and ecosystems across Africa, making investment in higher education and research essential for building resilient and sustainable economies.
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Mr Pisani said the project will equip graduates and researchers with the knowledge and skills needed to advance climate adaptation and mitigation while promoting food security, energy security and innovation through climateresponsive agriculture, renewable energy and digital technologies.
He added that academic mobility and knowledge exchange will foster green skills, improve graduates’ employability and generate innovative African solutions to African challenges while strengthening collaboration among universities across the continent.
