Network Africa
Network Africa creates opportunities for the exchange of ideas, knowledge, concepts and people between African universities and the Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences (HSWT) on topics related to applied life sciences.
Network Africa: Challenges & Solutions
The Africa Network will contribute to solving the many challenges facing academic education in Agriculture and Food Technology - and beyond. These include:
-
Food Security
-
Impact of climate change
-
Productivity of smallholder agriculture
-
Minimising losses during harvest, storage and transport
-
Processing of agricultural products to increase value added
-
Start-up, Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Agribusiness and Food Technology
Goals Pursued by Network Africa
Network Africa has set itself the goal of contributing to the knowledge society in African countries, which serves as the foundation of a stable and functioning society as well as the basis of a successful business location. This can create new jobs, support smallholder farms in sustainably increasing production and income, and shift value creation to rural Africa.
As a concrete goal of knowledge transfer, the stronger inclusion of practical elements is at the top of the agenda. The experience of the University of Applied Sciences Weihenstephan-Triesdorf in practice-oriented life sciences is to complement the often very theoretically oriented agricultural education in Africa.
Network Africa in Figures
Projects
- Training Pact with Africa (AmA)
-
The training pact with Africa set out core measures and expansion measures to strengthen the exchange of knowledge, such as training for managers and the Master's programme in Agricultural Management.Postgraduate Course "Foodchains in Agriculture".
- Postgraduate Course "Foodchains in Agriculture"
-
The postgraduate course "Foodchains in Agriculture" with a maximum of 25 African Master's graduates took place at the Triesdorf Campus.
- Technology and Application Pact (TAP)
-
The TAP worked with African universities of applied sciences and companies on application-oriented teaching in the field of Agriculture & Value Creation.
- Bavarian-Ethiopian Alliance for Applied Life Sciences
-
The Bavarian-Ethiopian Alliance was a project existing until 2021 to build a network in the Ethiopian region to promote international academic training.
- African-Bavarian Alliance
-
The African-Bavarian-Alliance project, funded by the Bavarian State Chancellery, served to build a network between the HSWT and partner institutions from Ethiopia, Senegal, Tunisia and South Africa (Gauteng & Western Cape) until the end of 2023.
- TOMATO project
-
In cooperation with the three Ethiopian partner universities Bahir Dar, Hawassa and Arsi, the TOMATO project strengthened the local value chains in fruit and vegetable cultivation through practice-oriented university training in food management.
- HAW.International
-
The HAW.International project serves to expand the international study and training opportunities offered by the HSWT.
- Women Empowerment in Food and Agriculture Cooperatives through Enabling Market Access (WEFACE)
-
The overall objective is to empower women in the agri-food sector and to promote sustainable and innovative practices for a better food and agriculture industry. WEFACE is a joint project of four countries: Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences (HSWT) from Germany, Arsi University from Ethiopia, Université du Sine Saloum El-Hâdj Ibrahima NIASS (USSEIN) from Senegal and Gabes University from Tunisia.
- Boosting Agricultural Studies in Sub-Saharan Africa (BASIS)
-
The overall project objective of BASIS is to support partner universities in sub-Saharan Africa, specifically Togo, Senegal and Uganda, in the transition to practice-based teaching in order to improve students' employability and strengthen capacity building and partner universities' strategies for social inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility of Agriculture education.
- Cooperation for Holistic Agriculture Innovation Nests in Sub-Saharan Africa (CHAIN)
-
CHAIN's overall objective is to support the modernisation of agricultural education in Togo, Nigeria and Kenya by promoting a more holistic and people-centred approach to agricultural education, training and innovation.
- Managing (South) Africa and Senegal Sustainability Targets through Economic-diversification of Rural-areas (MASSTER)
-
The MASSTER project explores ways to support agriculture students and farmers in sub-Saharan Africa by offering innovative education and training tools implemented through greater involvement of universities of applied sciences in community development and a whole-of-society approach in the context of linking agriculture and rural development as well as migration and mobility.
- African-Bavarian Alliance for Applied Life Sciences 2.0
-
As a continuation of the African-Bavarian Alliance for Applied Life Sciences, which was concluded at the end of 2023, the African-Bavarian Alliance for Applied Life Sciences 2.0 includes Kenya in the network, thus further promoting dialog between all Bavarian partner countries on the African continent. The Alliance 2.0 is funded by the Bavarian State Chancellery.
- African-German Applied Research Initiative on Agroforestry - Perspectives from Sub-Sahara Africa and Germany (Agroforestry)
-
The DFG project is pursuing the establishment of an African-German platform for applied research on agroforestry with partner institutions from Ethiopia, Nigeria, Benin and Ghana.
- FAMFISK – Fostering Agricultural Machinery & Food Technology in Senegal & Kenya
-
The aim of the joint project between HSWT, the Maschinenring Foundation and the Bildungswerk der Bayerischen Wirtschaft is to enable Senegalese and Kenyan universities to support the establishment and expansion of machinery rings in Senegal and Kenya. The project is funded by the Bavarian State Chancellery.
- Building Capacity for Climate-Resilient Food Systems in Africa (CaReFoAfrica)
-
The aim of this EU project is to promote capacity building in the field of climate change adaptation in African agriculture through the training of master and doctoral students.
- Mobility 4 Agricultural International Networks Supporting Thematic Resilience and Enhancing Adaptation and Mitigation (MAINSTREAM)
-
The project, funded by the European Union, promotes institutional modernization and internationalization reforms in agricultural education and training in Africa at master and doctoral levels, particularly of vulnerable and underrepresented groups, including youth and women.
- Green Futures: Capacity and Cooperation for Transforming Agriculture
-
The main objective of the Green Futures project is to strengthen and support marginalised groups in the agricultural sector in southern Africa through knowledge transfer and capacity development. The target groups are women, young and smallholder farmers and university students, taking into account gender and role sensitivity. The beneficiary countries of the project include Zambia and South Africa.
- Exploration and Implementation of Products with Alternative Proteins in Mediterranean Region (ProxIMed)
-
The ProxIMed project promotes the use of sustainable protein sources in the Mediterranean food and feed system, including plant proteins, microalgae, insects and agro-industrial by-products. With the help of innovative, nutrient-preserving processing technologies, these are integrated into over 20 end products and marketed in various regions of the Mediterranean.
- Environmental Footprints of Tunisian Processing Tomato using Soilless Geothermal Multi tunnel Greehouses in an arid Climate (ENHANCE)
-
Tomato production in Tunisia is to be made more sustainable and resource-efficient through the use of innovative methods in modern greenhouse systems. A key added value of the project lies in the establishment of an interdisciplinary research team from Germany and Tunisia that focuses on the data-based optimization of cultivation methods.
- Capacity building for synergies, impact assessment and management of international higher education cooperation funds (IMPACT-HE)
-
IMPACT-HE is a structural project to strengthen African universities as local development actors, particularly in Kenya and Ethiopia. It improves their capacities in international development cooperation, promotes strategic partnerships with the EU and supports the decolonization of higher education through better project management, monitoring and political involvement.
- Sustainable Trade Regimes with Europe and Africa through Mapping Innovation, New-technology and Growth-mindset (STREAMING)
-
The project develops strategies for fair, healthy and sustainable food systems in Africa to promote youth employment and bridge the gap between research and practice. Through innovation centers, networks, training and policy recommendations, it supports entrepreneurs, researchers, students and farmers in introducing sustainable technologies and improving the African food trade.
- Mastering Opportunities-scouting, Career-guidance and Key-job Skills in Agriculture (AGRI-MOCKS)
-
AGRI-MOCKS strengthens the employability of young people in agriculture through e-learning materials, practical teaching methods and digital simulations. The project promotes exchange between Africa and Europe, improves career guidance and mentoring and connects students with jobs and entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector.
- Forecasting droughts and recommendations for practical action in southern Tunisia (TunPrev)
-
The project deals with water scarcity caused by climate change and overuse and its impact on agriculture and drinking water supply in (semi-)arid regions. The aim is to enable better predictions of droughts in order to develop practical recommendations for action and thus strengthen adaptation to climate change and resilience, especially in agriculture.
Chronicle
-
2025
- January
-
As part of the African-Bavarian Alliance 2.0, HSWT organizes a workshop on “Direct marketing in agriculture” with participants from South Africa, Kenya, Tunisia and Senegal. The aim was to discuss the challenges and opportunities of direct marketing in Bavaria and on the African continent.
-
2024
- May
-
Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences is a new member of the Bavarian Research Institute for African Studies (BRIAS). The cooperation partners met at the Weihenstephan campus at the beginning of May.
As part of the Agroforestry project, six project partners from Nigeria, Ethiopia, Benin and Ghana traveled to HSWT for a one-week stay. To kick off their visit to Germany, the delegation first attended a status workshop organized by the German Research Foundation (DFG) in Bonn before moving on to Triesdorf and Freising.
- July
-
As part of the “Back to farmers” conference, 160 guests from Ethiopia, the Ivory Coast, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia, Togo, Uganda and Germany traveled to Triesdorf. Previous results from the “Training Pact with Africa” and the “Technology and Application Pact” were presented and at the end of the conference, the participants drew up an agreement for future cooperation.
- September
-
During a summer school lasting several weeks as part of the FAMFISK project, 22 students from the Université du Sine Saloum El-Hâdj Ibrahima NIASS (USSEIN) developed equipment in seven individual projects to make work easier for agricultural workers. The concepts developed include maintenance and spare parts systems, irrigation systems and a mini-tractor. The projects were presented to invited guests and representatives of the machinery rings, bbw, USSEIN and HSWT at the end of the Summer School.
- November
-
At the invitation of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture under the leadership of Cem Özdemir, Prof. Dr. habil. Carsten Lorz visited Ethiopia and Zambia with a German delegation. In Zambia, the delegation visited the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences at the University of Zambia (UNZA), where Professor Lorz presented the Green Futures project in the presence of Minister Cem Özdemir and Zambia's Minister of Education Douglas Syakalima.
- December
-
A delegation from HSWT travels to Zambia as part of the Green Futures project to evaluate the content and organizational aspects of the project and to plan the next steps together with the local partners. A highlight of the trip was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between UNZA and HSWT.
-
2023
- January
-
Applied sciences as a driving force of innovation in Africa - How can the developmental contribution be supported? This was the topic discussed by the HSWT as a member of the "HAW Afrika" network in the German Bundestag at the end of January.
- February
-
VP Lorz participates in the side event of the Munich Security Conference 2023 entitled "Inspired by Bavarian and Israeli Resilience: How could developing countries provide food security for their citizens?" organised by Fraunhofer LZSiS, the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy and the State of Israel.
- March
-
A delegation of presidents of Ethiopian universities of applied sciences and representatives of the Ethiopian Ministry of Education visit the Center for International Affairs and sign a cooperation agreement between HSWT and Debre Markos University.
- May
-
How can we bridge the gap between science and societal needs in the field of agricultural and food systems in Africa? This was the central question of the conference "Science for Impact in Africa", hosted virtually by HSWT as part of the "African Bavarian Alliance for Applied Sciences".
- June
-
At the invitation of the Center for International Affairs and the B.Life Centre, presidents, vice presidents and professors from partner universities in Ethiopia, Senegal, Tunisia and South Africa, as well as speakers from the German public sector, met for the "African-Bavarian Academy" to discuss various aspects of climate change management in their respective countries. The conference was sponsored by the "African Bavarian Alliance for Applied Sciences".
- July
-
Several members of the HSWT participate in a networking meeting in South Africa with representatives of the Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV and the University of Zambia. The event focused on future cooperation in the agrifood sector and was sponsored by the "African Bavarian Alliance for Applied Sciences".
- September
-
Representatives of the HSWT participate in the EU-Africa conference "Applied Sciences as drivers for regional innovation ecosystems in Africa" and present the International Master's program in Agricultural Management.
- November
-
In November, a delegation from HSWT took part in a joint conference of the DAAD program “HAW.International” and the “FHnet” network at Nuremberg Institute of Technology. Prof. Dr. habil. Carsten Lorz and Meike Dlaboha enriched the programme with a keynote speech on the topic “EU Strategy-FH and HAW.International as a motor for internationalization and research at HSWT” followed by a panel discussion.
- December
-
In December, Prof. Jörg Rühle from the Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition visited the partner university Khon Kaen University in Thailand as part of the DAAD project HAW.International. The focus of the visit was on intensifying cooperation in the development of international study programs and networking in the field of animal production.
-
2022
- January
-
Start of the HAW.International project, supported by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)
- February
-
Visit to Mountains of the Moon University (MMU) in Uganda as part of the Technology and Applications Pact (TAP)
- March
-
Virtual launch event of the African-Bavarian Alliance for Applied Life Sciences
Delegation trip to Senegal within the framework of the African-Bavarian Alliance, including a visit to the partner university USSEIN and the 9th World Water Forum Dakar
- April
-
Visit of the Tunisian Consul General Mohsen Sebai to the HSWT
- May
-
Visit to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST), South Eastern Kenya University (SEKU) and the Yunus Environment Hub team in Kenya as well as Arsi University and Hawassa University in Ethiopia. Representatives of the projects Training Pact with Africa (AmA), Technology and Application Pact (TAP), HAW.International and the Food Startup Incubator Weihenstephan (FSIWS) travelled to Africa.
- June
-
Meeting with Mahmoud Zouaoui, Head of Cabinet of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, as well as the management of the DAAD office in Tunis and visit to the Université de Tunis El Manar, Université de Carthage as well as Université de Gabès in Tunisia
- August
-
Delegation trip to South Africa in the framework of the African-Bavarian Alliance
- October
-
Implementation of the seminar "Improved Use of Natural Resources in Developing Countries" at the Triesdorf Campus with 24 international participants as part of the DAAD Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Alumni Projects.
Delegation trip by Prof. Dr. Carsten Lorz under the management of the Bavarian Minister of State Melanie Huml, MdL to Senegal to sign a cooperation agreement with the Senegalese partner university USSEIN at the German Embassy in Dakar (African-Bavarian Alliance)
Visit of a delegation consisting of representatives of the African Union, the AfCFTA administrative office and the GIZ AfCFTA Support Programme to the HSWT within the framework of the African-Bavarian Alliance.
- December
-
Stay of four guest researchers from the fields of soil and water from Ethiopia, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia at the HSWT
-
2021
- February
-
Approval for the DAAD project TOMATO - Harnessing of Efficient Vegetable and Fruit Production, Processing and Marketing Systems in Ethiopia through Practice Based Education and Participatory Research together with the Universities of Arsi, Bahir Dar and Hawassa in Ethiopia
- May
-
Virtual Lecturer Swap in the field of land use between HSWT and Debre Markos University within the framework of the Bavarian-Ethiopian Alliance
Visit of the Ambassador of Senegal, H.E. Cheikh Tidiane Sall, together with Ulrich Rieger from the Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy at the Weihenstephan Campus
- October
-
Start of the English-language Master's programme"Farm Management" at the Triesdorf Campus
Two-day virtual conference "The Coffee Value Chain & Higher Education: Bridging the Gap between Theory and Practice" with experts from Latin America, Ethiopia and Germany as part of the Bavarian-Ethiopian Alliance
Meeting of the Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV with the HSWT to explore possibilities for cooperation on projects in Africa.
-
2020
Foundation of HSWT International School
- February
-
Visit to partner universities in Ethiopia and Kenya to present the International Master in Agricultural Management programme
- August
-
Digital launch event for the Technology and Applications Pact with Africa together with the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ)
-
2019
- May
-
Launch event of the Training Pact with Africa with Federal Development Minister Dr Gerd Müller
- September/October
-
Visit to universities in Kenya and Ethiopia by HSWT delegation to establish university partnerships
- October
-
Start of the Bavarian-Ethiopian Alliance for Applied Life Sciences project
- November
-
International Rectors' Conference International Future Day - Cooperation Agreements with Arsi, Bahir Dar, JOOUST & Maseno University
- December
-
Presentation International Master in Agricultural Management at Arsi University in Ethiopia
-
2018
- May
-
Start of first postgraduate course "Foodchains in Agriculture
-
2017
- September
-
Agreement signed by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and the HSWT on the promotion of junior staff from Africa and research projects for Africa by Federal Development Minister Dr Gerd Müller
-
2016
ACQUIN Accreditation of the International Master in Agricultural Management (M.Sc.)
-
2014
Start of the Global Project Green Innovation Centres in the Agri-Food Sector (GIAE) of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) as a later basis for the promotion of the Training Pact with Africa by GIZ.
-
2000
International Master in Agricultural Management as MBA (until 2016)
-
1991
Start of International Postgraduate Course in Agricultural Management (until 2000)
