Researchers Connect with Funders at the 2024 SGCI Academic Symposium 

Since 2021, the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) in Sub-Saharan Africa has hosted an academic symposium that brings together researchers who have been funded to conduct research focused on national priorities.

The symposium provides an opportunity to continue building the capacities of academic researchers so they can embed practices such as open science, systems analysis, science communication, and co-creation in their research practices.

In partnership with the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), the 2024 SGCI Academic Symposium was hosted in Botswana from 14 to 15 November, alongside the Global Research Council Regional Meeting and the SGCI Annual Forum. It convened researchers from across the 17 SGCI participating countries and beyond to showcase research in the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus; share funding opportunities for research activities in these areas; connect researchers with research funders; and strengthen collective capacities in systems analysis.

The meeting kicked off with a joint session that was moderated by the NRF CEO, Dr Fulufhelo Nelwamondo. It included a panel that set the scene for discussions on working together to address global challenges, which was chaired by the NRF Group Executive for Business Advancement, Dr Thandi Mgwebi.