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IRD CEO PAYS A WORKING VISIT TO MINRESI

The Minister of Scientific Research and Innovation, Dr Madeleine TCHUINTE, granted an audience to the CEO of IRD, Valérie VERDIER, during her work visit in Cameroon on Thursday, 18 April 2024. Cooperation between MINRESI and IRD was at the heart of all discussions.

The Minister of Scientific Research and Innovation, Dr Madeleine TCHUINTE, and the CEO of IRD, Valérie VERDIER, had a working session on Thursday, 18 April 2024. During close to an hour, discussions centered on the partnership between both institutions. MINRESI and IRD have a long-standing relationship which is set to continue. Several research institutes under the technical supervision of MINRESI carry out research in collaboration with IRD through its representation in Cameroon, notably IMPM-CREMER, of IRGM and IRAD.

Prior to this working visit, the IRD Representative in Cameroon, Telesphore SIME NGANDO, was granted an audience on Monday, 15 April 2024. On Tuesday, 16 April 2024, the Minister awarded medals to Cameroonian researchers at IRD. This was to reward and honour the work carried out by the IRD Representation in Cameroon, in partnership with the Cameroonian Government through MINRESI. During this ceremony, the Minister did not fail to appreciate the success of this historic partnership with IRD.

AN OVERVIEW OF THE COOPERATION BETWEEN IRD AND CAMEROON IN THE FIELD OF RESEARCH

IRD and Cameroon enjoy excellent relations in the field of scientific research and innovation. This internationally recognised multi-disciplinary organisation will soon celebrate its 80th anniversary and can look back on 75 years of prosperous scientific and technical cooperation in Cameroon. Its results have a visible impact on the population, both in the domain of health and environment.

This audience reflects the excellent cooperation between MINRESI and IRD. The working session between the Minister and IRD’s CEO was followed by a guided tour of the infrastructure and technical facilities of CREMER (Research Centre on Emerging and Re-emerging diseases). CREMER reflects the dynamism and success of the research partnership between the IRD and Cameroon. Thanks to this partnership, this virology reference laboratory carries out genomic surveillance of SARS COV variants and other emerging pathogens through AFROSCREEN programme. As part of the African response to COVID-19, a research-action project called ARIACOV has been jointly conducted by CREMER and IRD. CREMER’s activities cover the entire Central African sub-region.

In addition to CREMER, IRD also collaborates with the Institute of Geological and Mining Research (IRGM) and the Institute of Agricultural Research for Development (IRAD).

At IRGM, this collaboration was expressed through:

  • JeuneEquipe in collaboration with IRD (JEAI-MORPHOCAM): Morphogenesis and pre-Quaternary denudation of the Cameroon Highlands;
  • LaboratoireMixte International (LMI DYCOFAC): dynamics of continental ecosystems in Central Africa in the context of global change;
  • Observatoire (M-TROPICS): Observation of continental surfaces and interfaces.

At the Institute of Agricultural Research for Development (IRAD), IRD is involved in the following project:

  • JeuneEquipe in collaboration with l’IRD (JEAI AVOSAN): Varietal improvement to optimise the health of vegetables grown in the Sudano-Sahelian zone of Cameroon.

LOOKING AHEAD: THE BIOGEOSCIENCES CENTRE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT

One of the most striking examples of cooperation between MINRESI and IRD is undoubtedly the Environmental Biogeosciences Research Centre (CBE) to be built in Yaounde. This high-level research centre will eventually be used to develop research projects, promote networking between researchers in Central Africa and abroad, as well as help train future generations in environmental sciences. This working visit comes just as MINRESI and IRD are finalising the project to build this centre. From 25 to 28 March 2024, a large MINRESI delegation paid a working visit to IRD headquarters in France. The visit enabled the two parties to hold constructive discussions with a view to finalising the project, which is being carried out with C2D funding.

©CelTrad/MINRESI

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