News & Events

Pro-RUWA Activities & Courses 2026

Across our partner universities — University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC, Benin), Abdou Moumouni University (UAM, Niger), University of Dédougou (UDOC, Burkina Faso), IPR/IFRA (Mali), and the University of Kassel (Germany) — a wide range of trainings, courses, and institutional activities is underway throughout 2026. Below is an overview of what is ongoing and coming up.

  • UAC – Intensive English training for students and staff; Documentary research and reference management (ongoing); Student awareness sessions (ongoing)
  • IPR/IFRA – Procurement and equipment for the multifunctional room (ongoing); Farm unit improvement (ongoing); Master's selection
  • University of Kassel – 4th cohort research visit in Witzenhausen (ongoing); Academic Board Meeting (with DecLaRe Plus); Python course (relocated to Cotonou)
  • UAC – Intensive English training (ongoing); Training on presentation tools (PowerPoint and Canva); Documentary research and reference management (ongoing); Student awareness sessions (ongoing)
  • UAM – AI, data statistics and scientific writing (hybrid); English training (begins, continuing into Q4)
  • UDOC – Training on collaboration tools
  • IPR/IFRA – Procurement and equipment for the multifunctional room (ongoing); Farm unit improvement (ongoing); Master's selection (ongoing)
  • University of Kassel – Administrative workshop / job shadowing (Cotonou); Open e-learning course (Fall)
  • UAC – Scientific publication; Fundamentals of scientific research (plagiarism and ethics); Protection of research results and products (intellectual property rights); Policy brief writing; Documentary research and reference management (wraps up); Student awareness sessions (wraps up); Writing week
  • UAM – Scientific academic writing; English training (ongoing); Master's selection
  • UDOC – Drone course
  • IPR/IFRA – Project proposal writing; Data collection using KoboCollect; Multivariate analysis for lecturers
  • University of Kassel – Open e-learning course (Fall) (ongoing); Tropentag in Göttingen; Writing week

Now Open: Pro-RUWA Master's Scholarships 2026

Applications for the 2026 Pro-RUWA Master's Scholarship Programme are officially opening. Please visit our dedicated Calls for Applications section or check the official announcement on LinkedIn for eligibility criteria and details on how to apply.

Practical Python Training for Research and Data Analysis

Registration is currently open for an intensive Python training course for students, doctoral candidates, and researchers. The program includes a mandatory DigiFace online self-learning phase, followed by an in-person session from July 9 to 15, 2026, at FSA/UAC in Benin. A limited number of spots are available, with priority given to eligible Pro-RUWA scholars. Read more

Advancing Academic Excellence: Recent Workshops

Throughout May and June 2026, Pro-RUWA partnered with Groupe Savoir Plus to host a series of practical workshops aimed at strengthening the digital and professional skills of students and young researchers. The recent sessions provided hands-on training in data analysis and visualization using Excel, the ethical application of artificial intelligence in research, and the effective design of scientific posters. Read more

Academic Milestone: SIPA Master's Scholars Defend Theses

Pro-RUWA extends warm congratulations to the three scholarship recipients from the Master SIPA program (Cohort 2) who successfully defended their research theses on March 3 and 4, 2026. The graduates highlighted how the structural and financial support provided by Pro-RUWA was instrumental in facilitating their fieldwork and driving their academic success. Read more 

Pro-RUWA 2.0 Kick-off Workshop in Bamako

On February 24–25, 2026, the Pro-RUWA 2.0 kick-off workshop was held at IPR/IFRA in Bamako. The event was attended by the Malian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Professor Bouréma Kansaye, and the German Ambassador to Mali.

This second phase marks the integration of IPR/IFRA as a key partner. The initiative focuses on training researchers and strengthening expertise in sustainable land management, agriculture, and natural resources to support a sustainable future for Mali and the sub-region.

Exciting Milestone: Pro-RUWA 2.0 Confirmed!

We are thrilled to announce that the DAAD has officially confirmed the second funding phase for Pro-RUWA, running from 2026 to 2030. Starting January 1, 2026, Pro-RUWA 2.0 will build on our momentum to continue training the next generation of West African scientists. We are also proud to welcome our newest partner institution: Institut Polytechnique Rural de Formation et de Recherche Appliquée (IPR/IFRA) from Mali. Read more

2025 Training Milestones

We wrapped up a highly active year of capacity building in December.

Writing Week in Ouagadougou: In December 2025, Pro-RUWA hosted a successful writing week in Burkina Faso, where Master’s and PhD students worked alongside supervisors to finalize scientific manuscripts.

Completed E-Learning Cycles: The network successfully concluded several high-demand online courses in 2025, including R-Statistics, GIS for Beginners, and Agent-Based Modeling.

On-Site Technical Workshops: Our team delivered hands-on training in KoboCollect in Niamey and practical Microsoft Excel/Word sessions for agricultural students in Benin.

Networking at Tropentag 2025

The Pro-RUWA community had a strong presence at Tropentag 2025 in Bonn, Germany. Our scholars collaborated with international research initiatives, presenting their work and expanding the network's visibility on the global stage.