AUST, RSIF-PASET Launch ARINAM, Strengthening Africa-Led Research and Innovation in Advanced Materials

Abuja, Nigeria – September 9, 2025,The African University of Science and Technology (AUST), Abuja, proudly hosted the launch of the African-Led Research and Innovation Network on Advanced Materials (ARINAM), a landmark initiative coordinated by AUST under the RSIF-PASET program.

The event brought together delegates from the Regional Coordination Unit (RCU) at the International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya, AUST management team, faculty, scholars, and key stakeholders to discuss advancing research and innovation in Africa through collaboration, capacity-building, and commercialization.

The program opened with a welcome address by Dr. Vitalis Anye, Acting Dean of Engineering and Lead, RSIF-PASET node at AUST, who stated the purpose of the visit and underscored its importance in building research capacity and strengthening partnerships.

Prof. Azikiwe Peter Onwualu, FAS, President of AUST, delivered a keynote address, sharing the university’s journey as a research-focused institution.

He outlined AUST’s flagship programs under PASET and proudly noted that AUST graduates up to five Ph.D scholars annually, many of whom are already making impact in global research.

“It is my pleasure to see how PASET has grown. We have Ph.D graduates who are doing exceptionally well out there in the research world.

Dr. Odette Ngasoh- Anye is one of them,” Prof. Onwualu said. He also thanked the visiting delegates and expressed optimism for future collaborations.

icipe’s RCU Delegate, Maureen Wangari, thanked AUST for the warm welcome and introduced her colleague Mirriam Wambui.

In her remarks, she emphasized the value of the partnership:

“We are honored and delighted to be part of this meeting. We look forward to partnerships, collaborations, short courses, and knowledge transfer initiatives. Supporting AUST with Ph.D scholars is just the beginning"

We see African transformation through impactful research, and we will continue to invite more scholars to invest in this hub, she enthused.

The meeting, featured robust discussions between AUST faculty members, scholars, and the RCU delegates.

Participants at the meeting, shared ongoing research projects, explored areas for joint research, and brainstormed on the strategies for strengthening innovation ecosystems in Africa.

She highlighted several major achievements of AUST through PASET, including,Successful Ph.D defenses and growing international collaborations, the establishment of over 30 courses, strengthened through partnerships with industry players such as TotalEnergies, Matrice Energy Group, and Recognition of AUST faculty, including Dr. Vitalis and his team, for winning the National Engineering Innovation Award in 3D Robotics.

Tge visiting team were later conducted round AUST’s facilities and engaged in a hybrid (physical and online) brainstorming session on the way forward for ARINAM.

Present at the event were ,Prof. Azikiwe Peter Onwualu (President, AUST), Mrs. Onyebuchi Ekpolomo (Head, Library Services), Dr. Abdulhakeem Bello (DAP), Dr. David Afolayan (Ag.HOD, Mechanical Engineering), Dr. Vitalis Anye (Ag. Dean of Engineering), Dr. Odette Ngasoh- Anye (Faculty), Ms. Ilesanmi Faith (Ph.D Student, Material Science & Engineering), Daniel Ammne (Ph.D Student, Material Science & Engineering), Mr. Emmanuel Onche (Uni Abuja), Mr. Udom Mark (NASENI), Mr. Halima Saliu (Material Science & Engineering), Adamu Abubakar (NASENI), Iweha Blessing (Media, AUST), and Samantha Wilcox (Media, AUST).

The launch of ARINAM marks a critical milestone in Africa’s research and innovation agenda, laying the groundwork for a network that will support advanced materials research and its translation into tangible solutions for industry and society.

AUST remains committed to leading Africa’s charge in scientific discovery, capacity-building, and research commercialization, driving socio-economic transformation across the continent.