Maseno University hosts the AVH INAUGURAL WORKSHOP
The theme for the workshop was: Research, Innovation and Knowledge in Conjunction with the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.
The guest of honour at the workshop was the First Secretary, Head of Department for culture and Education, Ursula Koos. She addressed the workshop on the topic “Science Diplomacy”. She noted that global challenges such as food security, peace, climate change, pandemics etc. required joint action within the context of international public policy. She also made known what support and scholarships Germany offers to Kenyans.
The Director, research and innovation Prof. Collins Ouma officially opened the workshop and addressed the same in his opening remarks. He pointed out the implications and opportunities for AvH’s work with Maseno University staff.
A presentation was made about the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, a foundation which sponsors scientists and scholars, irrespective of academic discipline and nationality. It strengthens Germany as a research location through international research exchanges. AvH support their sponsorship recipients during their entire lifetimes and actively promote international understanding, scientific progress and development.
The mission of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation is to use individual sponsorship to promote outstandingly qualified researchers and future leaders from science-related fields with the aim of creating a world-spanning collaborative network of excellence. As Humboldtians, they are all members of the Humboldt Family: currently, the sponsorship recipients and alumni come from more than 140 countries, including 57 Nobel Laureates.
The Alexander Von Humboldt fellowship for experienced researchers is considered as one of the most prestigious research fellowships worldwide. The reputation attached to the award can be assessed by the fact that the worldwide network of Humboldtians includes 57 Nobel Prize winners, making it one of the most prestigious fellowships in the world.
The Avh Ambassador Scientist is an honorary appointment. Dr. Loreen Maseno as a Humboldtian had the opportunity to spend time researching in Germany from 2015 to 2018 and getting to know the country first hand. As an established academic, who qualified for the AvH experienced researcher fellowship, she is fully integrated in the specialised networks in her own country. Consequently, Dr. Maseno was in January 2022 appointed to the role of Avh Ambassador Scientist. Worldwide, there currently are 43 Ambassador Scientists in 30 countries supporting the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. Dr. Maseno’s role as Ambassador Scientist for Kenya is to advise the Humboldt Foundation and other German funding organisations on programme promotion and networking in Kenya. Dr. Maseno serves as a point of contact for Humboldt alumni and Humboldt associations. As an ambassador scientist Dr.Maseno will disseminate information about Germany as a research location at universities and research institutions.
More information can be found at the website https://www.humboldt-foundation.de
