News

The recently launched European Union (EU) funded Research and Academic Mobility for Drug Discovery in Africa (RAMDDA) initiative is anticipated to support staff and students from the University of Botswana (UB) and other identified consortium universities in advancing scientific research at Masters and PhD levels.

RAMDDA is a multi-institutional initiative advancing research, training and collaboration in drug discovery across Africa. The programme supports fields of study such as Organic Chemistry, Computational Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Natural Product Chemistry, Synthesis, Materials Chemistry and Bioinorganic Chemistry with relevance to drug discovery.

Funded by the EU under the Intra-Africa Mobility Scheme, the project brings together a consortium of seven (7) Higher Education Institutions across Africa and Europe to strengthen scientific training, research capacity and innovation in drug discovery. The scholarship covers tuition fee, monthly stipend, insurance and additional support for students with disabilities.

RAMDDA scholarships are funded to the tune of approximately P22.5 million. Through the initiative mobility opportunities will be accorded for 30 MSc, 12 PhD, 12 trainee replacement and seven (7) staff exchanges. As per the scholarships, mobilities span six (6) African universities in Botswana, Ethiopia, South Africa and Ghana with technical support from University College Cork (Ireland).

Speaking at an official opening event held at the UB Library Auditorium on the 13th of May 2026, UB Vice Chancellor, Professor David Norris, appreciated the EU for recognising UB as a worthy partner to advance research and innovation. Professor Norris buttressed the institution’s efforts to be a leading centre of academic excellence with research at the heart of it all.

Similarly, Office of Research and Development (ORD) Director, Ms Kimberly Cornfield, said the University welcomed the programme and was fully capacitated to jointly lead the quest for drug discovery in Africa. Ms Cornfield stated that UB’s vision was to be a leading research-intensive, innovative and enterprising institution. She revealed that the institution’s strategy was aligned to the national Vision 2036, National Development Plan (NDP 12) and other related policies.

Further, Executive Dean at the Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Professor Sununguko Wata Mpoloka, stated that the project demonstrated UB’s capacity and ability to lead international projects. Professor Mpoloka outlined that through the RAMDDA programme, students would benefit from academic mobility, joint research development and academic mentorship.

The programme is coordinated by Professor Taye Demissie from the Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences. Professor Demissie is also RAMDDA’s Principal Investigator.

For her part, Head of European Union Delegation to Botswana and SADC, Ambassador Petra Pereya, said UB was an important partner for the EU. Ambassador Pereya noted that by enabling research to move across the continent, the programme strengthened Africa’s institutions. She said the EU was in Africa for strategic and long-term relationships.

Consequently, she stressed that the EU believed in partnerships and was of the view that Africa’s success was Europe’s success. She added that the EU wanted to be Africa’s reliable partner in health and education amongst others.