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Coopération Scientifiques & Techniques

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

MINRESI AND ISTAO SIGN A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

On Wednesday, 31 January 2024, MINRESI and the Ombessa Higher Institute of Agricultural Techniques (ISTAO) signed a public-private partnership framework agreement. During this signing session, the Minister of Scientific Research and Innovation, Dr Madeleine TCHUINTE, declared: ‘MINRESI-ISTAO partnership is one of the mechanisms set to implement the Government’s policy in the field of research and development as advocated by the Head of State, His Excellency Paul BIYA’.

The promoter of ISTAO, Minister Pascal ANONG ADIBIME, equally expressed the high expectations his institute specialised in agriculture, has of this partnership.

©CelTrad/MINRESI

URUGUAYAN ECONOMIC AND TRADE INVESTOR’S DELEGATION GRANTED AUDIENCE IN CAMEROON

The Uruguayan economic and trade investor’s delegation was granted an audience at the Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation on 22 November 2023. The Secretary General of MINRESI represented the Minister, Dr Madeleine TCHUINTE, who was unable to attend.

A Uruguayan investor’s delegation was granted an audience at the Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation on Wednesday 22 November 2023.  This audience was part of an economic and trade mission. Moreover, it was the first of its kind for diplomatic relations between Cameroon and the Oriental Republic of Uruguay. The representative of the Ministry of External Relations (MINREX) who accompanied the Uruguayan delegation pointed out that it was the very first time Uruguayan investors had visited Cameroon from the inception of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1989. The purpose of this mission was essentially to explore the economic terrain. Therefore, the investors had to prospect for suitable avenues of cooperation between the two countries. Judging from the nature of the delegation received at MINRESI, possible areas for cooperation could include fisheries, livestock farming, electricity and renewable energy.

The Secretary General of MINRESI, Professor Rebecca Madeleine EBELLE ETAME, representing the Minister who was unable to attend the meeting, considered this visit as proof that the Uruguayan delegation had great interest in science and technology, as well as stakeholders in these areas.  Thereafter, the heads of institutes under the technical supervision of MINRESI and those from the central administration who had been invited to the audience were given the floor to discuss the potential areas of cooperation between MINRESI and the Uruguayan delegation.

Among the world’s four leading renewable energy-producing countries, Uruguay is a major exporter of oil and gas.  It is also a major fish exporting country, with Cameroon being one of its main partners in this sector. The post-mission agenda will involve discussing potential avenues for cooperation between Cameroonian investors and Uruguayan expertise, with a view to implementing the country’s import-substitution policy.

©CelTrad/MINRESI

OACPS CONFERENCE-DEBATE ON YOUNG GREEN ENTREPRENEURS AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN FRANCOPHONE AFRICA

The Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation presided over the opening ceremony of the conference-debate organized by the Research and Innovation Program of the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), as part of the 44th Conference of Ministers of La Francophonie.

Representing the Minister of Scientific Research and Innovation, Dr Madeleine TCHUINTE, who was unavoidably absent, the Inspector General of MINRESI, Prof Gilbert TAGUEM FAH, presided over the opening ceremony of the Conference-Debate organized by the Research and Innovation Program of the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS).  The conference was held on 5 November 2023 at the Djeuga Palace Hotel in Yaounde, in the context of the 44th Conference of Ministers of La Francophonie. The theme: “How to make young green entrepreneurs the spearhead of sustainable development in Francophone Africa?”

The aim of this intellectual exchange was to examine young entrepreneurs’ contribution in implementing green transition in Africa. In his opening address, the representative of the Minister of Scientific Research and Innovation emphasized the central role that the Head of State, H.E. Paul BIYA, gives to youths on the path to development. In his speech addressing youths on the occasion of the 2019 Youth Day, he said that “tomorrow’s Cameroon will be built with you”. With this in mind, the representative of the minister outlined the activities and initiatives undertaken by MINRESI to promote youth entrepreneurship through innovation. In addition to the prizes awarded to junior researchers from Institutes under its technical supervision, MINRESI supports young independent researchers and innovators through the Excellence Week for Scientific Research and Innovation (JERSIC), whose eighth edition took place from 17 to 19 October 2023. MINRESI also contributed to the incubation of young start-up entrepreneurs who received funding from the French Embassy in Cameroon. Speaking specifically about green entrepreneurship, the institutes under MINRESI supervision are strongly involved in the development of environmentally-friendly products and tools.

OACPS’ action in favour of young green entrepreneurs aims to facilitate innovation and research among young people in over 70 countries. To date, 100,000 young people have been trained worldwide thanks to funding from the European Union. Many have been incubated and have gone ahead to set up their own businesses.

Translated by Celtrad/MINRESI

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