About INTERACT-Africa Project

Mobility in Innovative Green Technologies for Climate Change Mitigation and Sustainable Bioeconomy (INTERACT-Africa) is an Intra-Africa Academic mobility project funded by the European Union (EU).

The Project in brief

Mobility in Innovative Green Technologies for Climate Change Mitigation and Sustainable Bioeconomy (INTERACT-Africa) project’s thematic field is Chemistry, Biology and Information Technology, with emphasis on conversion of organic waste to valuable bio-products for transitioning into environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive economies.

A report on skills for green jobs by International Labor Organization (ILO, 2018) reveals major gaps in and shortages of skills that are not being met by graduates. Hence, there is need for education and training systems to supply a well-trained labor force. Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) that include Moi University (Kenya), Mbarara University of Science and Technology (Uganda), Sokoine University of Agriculture (Tanzania), Addis Ababa University (Ethiopia), and Ifa Yangambi University (Democratic Republic of Congo) shall participate in this project, as Mendel University in Brno (Czech Republic) serves as EU technical partner.

The project aims to mainstream climate change adaptation and mitigation into the thematic curricula of partner HEIs, hence produce highly skilled and competent workforce that can implement green adaptation technologies that are systemic, multidimensional and transformative. Through academic, research, traineeship and cultural exchange, the project is expected to positively impact on students, trainees, staff and institutions involved through enhancement of technical, entrepreneurial and digital skills, competencies and appropriate attitudes for increased employability. Cooperation among HEIs shall improve quality of academic programmes through curricula complementation, and enhanced harmonization of higher education through alignment of qualifications, assessment criteria, quality assurance mechanisms and recognition of academic achievements. Visibility of partner HEIs resulting from modernization and internationalization of the degree programmes shall increase enrolment of international students.

The Objectives of INTERACT-Africa Project are as follows:

1. Building capacity on green technologies for climate change mitigation and adaptation through mainstreaming climate change in Chemistry, Biology and Information Technology curricula and research programs
2. Nurture innovative, digital and entrepreneurial skills amongst mobility scholarship holders and other beneficiaries for future career advancement and sustainable bioeconomy.
3. Promote networking amongst higher education institutions and industries for collaborative green technology research, training and curricula harmonization for climate change mitigation and adaptation
4. Enhance project management, communication and dissemination of project’s results for scalability and impact creation

Target Groups (TG)

The beneficiaries of the INTERACT-Africa Mobility Project are categorized into the following target groups (TGs).

Target group 1 (TG-I) include students from INTERACT-Africa project hosting countries i.e., Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Democratic Republic of Congo. To qualify for TG-1, a candidate must have obtained a degree from one of these five participating universities .
Target group 2 (TG-II) includes students having obtained a degree from all other African countries, with priority being given to students from conflict-affected and disadvantaged countries, including Côte d’Ivoire, Sudan, Somalia, Mozambique and Algeria.
Both
Target group 1 & 2 (TG-I and TG-II) candidates are eligible to apply for degree seeking mobility.