African-Bavarian Alliance for Applied Life Sciences 2.0 (ABA 2.0)
With the successful conclusion of the African-Bavarian Alliance for Applied Life Sciences 2.0 (ABA 2.0), Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences (HSWT) was able to further strengthen and expand its network with partner institutions from Bavaria and several African countries.
In addition to existing collaborations with partners from Ethiopia, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia, new contacts were established and exchanges within the network were intensified. Furthermore, partner institutions from Kenya were brought into the network, thereby further promoting dialogue between all Bavarian partner countries on the African continent.
As part of the project, numerous workshops, networking events and expert dialogues took place, which have promoted knowledge transfer and cooperation between the partner institutions. In addition, the foundations were laid for joint, practice-oriented hybrid degree programmes in the fields of agricultural value chains and climate change management.
Particular emphasis was placed on collaboration between universities, research institutions and industry partners. This provided fresh impetus for international cooperation, teaching and applied research.
The project built on the successes of its predecessor, ABA 1.0. Both projects were funded by the Bavarian State Chancellery.
Below is an overview of the key achievements and activities of ABA 2.0:
Visit to the Food Startup Incubator Weihenstephan, 22 to 27 July 2024
In July 2024, HSWT organised a visit to the Food Startup Incubator Weihenstephan (FSIWS) for researchers, professors and representatives from food incubators and food biotechnology laboratories at African partner institutions. The focus was on exchanging ideas on innovative approaches in food technology, establishing joint teaching and research collaborations, developing virtual exchange formats, and discussing opportunities for student and aspiring entrepreneur exchanges.
Workshop on direct marketing in collaboration with the House of Bavarian Agriculture, 20 to 25 January 2025
In January 2025, HSWT, in collaboration with the House of Bavarian Agriculture in Herrsching, organised a workshop on direct marketing of agricultural products. Building on an HSWT study by Prof. Dr Tanja Barton, research findings were presented, international experiences were shared, and successful practical examples of direct marketing in Bavaria were showcased through field trips to farms.
Conference in South Africa, 11 to 13 November 2025
In November 2025, HSWT organised a three-day conference in collaboration with Stellenbosch University on the topic of ‘Integrated water management for greater resilience to water scarcity’. Researchers and professors from HSWT and partner universities across Africa presented the latest research findings, discussed experiences from the Day Zero crisis in South Africa’s Western Cape province, and exchanged best practices and innovative approaches. At the same time, the conference strengthened academic networking across the African continent and promoted collaboration between HSWT’s B.Life Centre and international partners in the field of water resources management.
Various online workshops on funding opportunities for capacity-building and hybrid learning programmes
During the course of the project, several online seminars were held in collaboration with the Bavarian Research Alliance (BayFOR). These informed participants about current EU funding opportunities, strengthened networking between African and European universities, and provided practical experience of hybrid teaching formats.
