By providing an immersive learning experience, Summer Schools play a crucial role in building research capacity, fostering innovation and promoting the next generation of scientists and researchers. The objectives are to transfer knowledge in specific scientific fields, to develop skills in data analysis and methodological training, and to network by facilitating interactions between participants, scientists and stakeholders. We use (digital) lectures and seminars, in presence excursions and hands-on sessions, field trips and group work as educational components of our programme. A series of 5 summer schools is planned, alternating between Africa and Germany. The target groups are MSc and PhD students from Germany and Africa. Interdisciplinary content along the Centre's cross-cutting research themes will be offered at the different host universities, representing regions with contrasting agri-food systems.
Starting in 2025, the UWC in Cape Town will focus on data science and food systems based on perennial crop production systems, including post-harvest technologies and market analysis. In 2026 and 2028, the summer school will be hosted by the University of Hohenheim and focus on skills development training methods for advanced data analysis using existing computing and training facilities. Here we will offer a digital component to reach out to a larger number of students. To facilitate interdisciplinary exchange and networking with relevant German, African and international stakeholders, the Summer School will also visit the Tropentag, an annual interdisciplinary international conference on research in tropical and subtropical agriculture, natural resource management and rural development with more than 800 participants from all over the world. As an hybrid conference the Tropentag also offers online participation. In 2027, the Summer School will be hosted by LUANAR (Malawi), which will present mainly maize-based mixed agri-food systems representative of much of southern Africa. The summer school will focus on smallholder crop and livestock production. Aquaculture will also be considered as a promising system for food security. The final year in 2029 will be hosted by UP and the University of Mpumalanga. Topics will include large and small-scale farming systems, human-wildlife conflicts and animal health. The last summer-school will also be used to summarise the activities of the Centre and develop a concept for future learning. The summer schools will be jointly attended by German and African MSc and PhD students to enable a cross-continental exchange of knowledge.
