Bridging Continents: African Home and Diaspora Knowledge Exchange Takes Centre Stage
By Mary-Jane Onuorah (NSSPF National Volunteer Coordinator)
A dynamic group of researchers and educators from Africa and its diaspora convened to explore collaborative opportunities and knowledge exchange in a meeting facilitated by Andrew from Cambridge under the ‘Sankofa Knowledge Initiative (SKI)’. The session highlighted the importance of leveraging African resources and expertise to drive innovation and development.
Meeting Highlights:
- Independent Innovation: Andrew shared his experiences in developing a project independently, emphasising the need to move beyond bureaucratic hurdles in university collaborations.
- Focus on African Resources: The group discussed the potential of various African resources, with a particular focus on okra and its numerous health benefits, including lowering cholesterol and blood sugar, supporting kidney function, and reducing inflammation.
- Collaborative Spirit: Participants stressed the importance of collaboration between African researchers and the active involvement of students in practical knowledge exchange.
- Upcoming Conference: Details were shared about an upcoming African Research conference on June 12th 2025, offering a platform for networking, idea sharing, and exploring publishing possibilities.
Key Discussion Points:
- Recording and Privacy: The meeting addressed concerns about recording online sessions, ensuring a comfortable environment for all participants.
- Overcoming Bureaucracy: Andrew’s independent project highlighted the challenges and potential solutions in navigating university collaborations.
- Okra and Beyond: The discussion extended beyond okra to encompass a broader range of African foods, fruits, and vegetables, emphasising the need for research and documentation.
- Nutrition Education: The importance of comprehensive nutrition education in African schools was discussed, addressing the disconnect between generations regarding food choices and health issues.
- Research Topic Selection: Guidance was provided on strategically choosing research topics that align with individual interests and contribute to the broader goals of African development.
Next Steps:
- Andrew will share the meeting summary and recording with all participants.
- Participants will research potential African foods/plants for study, avoiding extensively researched topics.
- Participants will consider aligning their research topics with current academic projects.
- Andrew will provide guidance on strategically choosing research topics.
- Andrew will share details about the upcoming conference on June 12th.
- Participants interested in the conference will prepare for networking and idea sharing.
- Andrew will ensure access to university research tools for participants.
- Andrew will coordinate research topics to avoid duplication.
This meeting served as a crucial step in fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange between African researchers and the diaspora. By focusing on practical solutions and leveraging local expertise with advanced research tools, this initiative promises to unlock the vast potential of African resources for the benefit of the continent and the world.
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For more information or collaboration please reach out to us at admin@nsspf-uk.org or contact us on 07881168707.