The University of Nairobi, through the Afretec, has successfully concluded a three-day Early Career Researcher Mentorship and Training workshop, held from October 22 to 24, 2025, at the UoN Towers. This program brought together young academics and experienced researchers participating both in-person and virtually for an intensive learning and mentorship experience.
Held under the Afretec Knowledge Creation Pillar, the training provided a unique platform for early-career researchers to strengthen their research skills, expand professional networks, and gain valuable insights into building impactful academic careers. The sessions combined practical training, mentorship, and peer learning, creating a vibrant environment for knowledge exchange.
Participants benefited from expert-led sessions facilitated by senior researchers from Kenya, South Africa, France, and the Netherlands. The facilitators included Prof. Sylvia Opanga (UoN), Prof. Catherine Lukhoba (UoN), Prof. Marc Zolver (UoN), Dr Michael Bodunrin (University of the Witwatersrand), Dr Fredrick Madaraka (Dedan Kimathi University of Technology), Saskia Hartog (Amsterdam UMC), Lydia Roos (CNRS), and Simon Meunier (CentraleSupélec),among others. Topics covered ranged from developing a research identity and accessing international funding to managing supervision relationships and navigating gender and work-life challenges in academia.
A notable highlight was the practical sessions on grant writing and budgeting, where participants learned to design funder-compliant proposals and align budgets with project work plans. The training also featured discussions on building strong research teams, leveraging global networks, and navigating the challenges of early-stage academic careers.
In closing, the facilitators emphasized that collaboration, mentorship, and continuous learning are vital in nurturing Africa’s next generation of researchers. Their reflections echoed Afretec’s commitment to empowering early-career scholars with the skills, knowledge, and networks necessary to drive impactful research and innovation across the continent.
The event concluded with a strong sense of community and renewed commitment among participants to apply the lessons learned to strengthen research excellence within their institutions and beyond.
