New collaboration underway between Sweden and Zambia

SLU will work in a thematic research subprogramme on climate change and in a support subprogramme on supervision and mentorship. In addition to SLU, University of Gothenburg, Stockholm University, Dalarna University, and Luleå University of Technology will also be involved. There will be four postdocs in each of the research focused thematic programmes.

The Programme Proposal consists of two parts:

Research-focused thematic subprogrammes

• Climate Change: Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, PI Prof. Jennie Barron
• Renewable Energy: Dalarna University; PI Prof. André Augusto and Luleå University of Technology, PI Prof. Michael Försth
• Sustainable Mining: Luleå University of Technology, PI Prof. Lena Alakangas

Research management and support subprogramme

• Establishment of a Grants Office: University of Gothenburg, PI Assoc. Prof. Gunnar Köhlin
• Development and implementation of Supervisor Training and Mentorship Programme and PhD Courses: Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, PI Dr. Cecilia Almlöv
• Design and implementation of an Integrated Research Information Management System: Stockholm University, PI Assoc. Prof. Caroline Wamala Larsson

During the week progress has been made in finalising the proposal to SIda. The week has given opportunities for fruitful discussions and important teamwork with our UNZA colleagues, and has proven strong support for the programme from UNZA’s leadership.

On Wednesday, we also visited the Embassy of Sweden and met with Sweden’s Ambassador to Zambia Johan Hallenborg, the Head of Development Cooperation Christina Wedekull, and other relevant embassy staff. We are grateful for the opportunity to present the programme and to discuss potential synergies with other ongoing activities in Zambia.

We thank our colleagues at UNZA for their hospitality and look forward to the launch of this collaboration. We hope that this will be the beginning of a long-lasting partnership between SLU and UNZA.