Benin, Belgium, Kenya… Facilitating inter-university partnerships to bring academic research closer to business needs

As part of its ongoing efforts to promote innovation and sustainable development in the agricultural sector, COLEAD regularly strives to play its role as a liaison and catalyst for collaboration between universities and research institutes around the world. The main objective is to facilitate the raising of funds for research, which is essential for the advancement of innovative projects that respond to the sector’s sustainability challenges and opportunities.

COLEAD’s Research & Innovation Brokerage department facilitates South-North partnerships between academic institutions to pool forces not only to fund joint research, but also to develop projects that address issues specific to the horticulture sector. Here are two examples:

Valorisation of Pineapple Residues in Benin: in response to the challenges facing the pineapple sector in West Africa, a group of researchers from the University of Abomey Calavi (Benin) and the KU Leuven (Belgium) have submitted a proposal to transform pineapple residues into organic fertilisers and renewable energy sources.

Towards sustainable ‘green gold’ in Kenya: faced with the opportunities offered by the avocado sector in East Africa, researchers from the University of Eldoret (Kenya) and KU Leuven (Belgium) have drawn up a joint proposal for sustainable avocado cultivation. The aim of this multi-partner project is to exploit the full potential of the avocado, nicknamed “green gold”, while at the same time offering greener, more prosperous farming.

Increasing impact: one of the raisons d’être of COLEAD’s partnerships and alliances

COLEAD’s active involvement in these types of research projects and partnerships demonstrates its commitment to:

• Orientate university research towards the concrete needs of the partners and beneficiaries of the programmes implemented by COLEAD.
• Establish a link between business demands and applied research.
• Involve the private sector in the use of university discoveries.
• Stay at the forefront of emerging technologies to raise awareness among the various stakeholders.
• Enhance and promote innovative pilot projects.

This activity is supported by the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, implemented by COLEAD within the Framework of Development Cooperation between the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the European Union. This publication receives financial support from the European Union and the OACPS. The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of COLEAD and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union or the OACPS.

© photo: Cytonn Photography