High-impact TRECCAfrica scheme draws to a close 

TRECCAfrica (“Transdisciplinary Training for Resource Efficiency and Climate Change Adaptation in Africa”) supports the continent’s sustainable development in addressing the twin challenges of climate change adaptation and natural resource depletion. With assistance from the European Union’s Intra-ACP Mobility Scheme, this is achieved by providing master’s and doctoral training to African students at six of the continent’s leading universities. These are SU as well as the universities of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), Ghana, Mekelle (Ethiopia), Nairobi (Kenya) and Nigeria-Nsukka.

The two project phases, TRECCAfrica I and II, have focused on key issues relating to climate change, agriculture, science, food science, engineering and governance. The scheme has created over 80 student mobilities, 92 staff mobilities and partnerships between various African institutions. Apart from creating valuable networks, it has also managed to build capacity across the continent to find African solutions to African problems. This is something Emmanuel Lartey, a TRECCAfrica II exchange student, can attest to. He completed his thesis on co-managing forest resources in Ghana at SU’s School of Public Leadership, and now boasts skills in system dynamics modelling and sustainable cities.

To mark the end of this successful programme, staff from SU International’s Centre for Collaboration in Africa (CCA)  attended  the closing ceremony of TRECCAfrica in Sweden in September. Before their departure, Dr Nico Elema, CCA manager, emphasised the importance of acknowledging SU’s role in the initiative, not only as an African university, but also as an institution with an ever-growing global reach.