IFS Alumni Network R

ecognising the importance of its alumni network, IFS provides support for individual alumni, associations of alumni which have been founded in several countries in Africa, and informal initiatives launched by alumni in Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. Our past grantees represent a source of mentoring, networking and collaboration in their respective countries, offering a range of services that benefit members, aspiring researchers, grant applicants and IFS. Examples include support for new applicants, advice to prospective grantees through seminars and talks, publicising IFS grant calls, collaborating with other alumni associations, and informing IFS of relevant local and national activities. IFS always tries to find ways to mobilise our existing resources to activate, support and strengthen our alumni.

Benin

In 2022, the IFS alumni association of Benin organised virtual and physical workshops on plagiarism and fraud in science, ethics in science, and steps and useful methods for proposal and scientific writing. More than 200 young scientists from NGOs, universities and research centres attended these events.

Nigeria

Prof Igoli, Chair of the Nigerian IFS Alumni Association and now a pioneer Vice Chancellor of Pen Resource University, Gombe, successfully mobilised his team to commence academic activities on 5 September 2022 with over 250 students (a record number for a private university in Nigeria starting from scratch). As part of their commencement activities, he spoke about research, research collaboration and publications at a staff orientation programme, and introduced his staff members about IFS. He further encouraged his academic staff members to visit the IFS website and apply for IFS grants, thus making himself a mentor to all his staff in science and related fields relevant to IFS programmes.

In addition, Nigerian IFS Alumni Association members organised and participated in virtual workshops on topics in aquaculture, aquatic pollution, biodiversity, conservation biology, and microbiology. They also mentored fellow alumni, and participated in virtual interactions concerning IFS’s 50th anniversary, and a proposal to be submitted to a potential IFS donor.

The IFS Nigeria Alumni Association (IFS-NAA) reported these individual and group activities in 2022:

> Interactions between alumni members through Facebook and WhatsApp pages, including about webinars and other opportunities.

> Attendance at virtual workshops and meetings.

> Mentoring alumni members.

> Participation in the writing and compiling of the January 2022 report of the IFS 2.0 side event during the RUFORUM Triennial meeting in Benin.

> Participation in the virtual meeting of IFS with alumni tagged “IFS 50th Anniversary Grantee Event” on 24 March 2022.

> Participation of alumni in surveys to present alumni experiences and views of IFS in March 2022.

> Correspondence with IFS on the preparation and submission of IFS proposal on Youth Wellness to BOTNAR Foundation, from March–May 2022.

> Dr Adedotun Onoyinka Afolayan (IFS Nigeria Alumni Association Secretary) participated virtually in a panel discussion during the IFS’s 50th Anniversary Celebratory Forum.

> Request for ReachSci training for IFS-NAA members through Prof Mohammed Alawami, which is to help young researchers develop their skills to increase the impact of their research at local and global levels.

> IFS-NAA Executive Members had a virtual meeting with Prof Alawami to discuss a training programme for IFS-NAA members. Members designed and filled out a questionnaire to collate specific training needs.

> Virtual participation as IFS alumni network members in the IFS event to welcome a new cohort of grantees on 5 October 2022.

> Celebration of IFS Nigeria alumni member who defended her PhD, Dr Onibokun Adeola Elizabeth.

> Celebration of the President, Prof John Igoli, on the assumption of a new position, as the pioneer Vice Chancellor of Pen Resource University, Gombe.