Project PI: Prof. Julius Ochuodho
The EU under its Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme to train Scientists in Crop Improvement and Food Security in Africa (SCIFSA) funded the Academic Mobility Project to train graduate students in African universities worth EUR 1,398,975. In this mobility program five African partner institutions namely Makerere University, Uganda; University of Eldoret, Kenya; University of Ghana, Legon; Cairo University, Egypt and Universite Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar, Senegal) and one EU technical partner Silesian University of Technology, Poland successfully collaborated in the training of professionals to achieve sustainable crop varieties improvement that lead to increased crop production and enhanced food and nutritional security, and hence, improved livelihood and household revenue.
A total of 24 Masters (6 credit seeking, 18 degree-seeking) and 12 Doctorates (4 credit seeking, 8 degree-seeking) were trained in the thematic areas of Plant breeding and seed systems, Biotechnology, Seed science and technology, Pomology and Vegetable crop production, Pesticides and plant protection and Plant and microbial technology. The project provided fellowships for full degree programs (PhDs and MSc) as well as short term mobility for students and staff and was expected to run from 1st November 2017 until 31st October 2022. However, due to COVID 19 pandemic, the project was extended for one more year to 2023.
The project which was locally coordinated by Prof. Julius Onyango Ochuodho was expected to contribute to
- Improved skills and competences of academic staff in, research, training and supervision,
- Enhanced quality of graduate training that will lead to innovative and fit-for-purpose professionals in Crop production improvement
- Improved skills and competences of administrative staff in implementing international mobility.
Subsequently, a procedure/platform to support the harmonisation and internationalisation of Crop production programmes among African Universities has been achieved.
Student Theses Research Topics
The tables below provide the Theses Research Topics and publications made by the postgraduate students who participated in the SCIFSA Academic Mobility Project while at the University of Eldoret.
| No. | Student Name | Thesis | Partner University |
| 1 | Hillary Botey Mireku | Physiological And Biochemical Basis For Seed Germination Behaviour Of The African Eggplant (Solanum Aethiopicum, L.) | University of Ghana, Legon |
| 2 | Gerard Oballim | Seed Development And Maturation In Bambara Nut (Vigna Subterranea (L.) Verdc.) | Makerere University, Uganda |
| 3 | Morish Obura | Enhancement Of Seed Germination In Bambara Groundnut (Vigna Subterranea L. Verdc) | Makerere University, Uganda |
| 4 | Mamie Souadou Diop | Influence Of Phosphorus Fertilization On Growth And Seed Quality Of Velvet Bean (Mucuna Pruriens (L.) Dc.) | Universite Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar, Senegal |
| 5 | Boyce Monau Pako | Seed Quality Parameters In Cleome Strigosa & Kenaf (Hibiscus Cannabis) | University of Botswana |
Publications by Students
The table below presents the publications made by international students who were attached to the University of Eldoret during their academic mobility projects. The project contributed immensely to the research publications at the University.
List of Publications made by SCIFSA Mobility Project Students:
| Student Name | Title of Publications |
| Hillary Botey | 1. Physiological quality of African eggplant seedsas influenced by natural fermentation and drying methods. JHF/03.05.21/0669 2. Fruit and Seed Physiological quality changes during seed development and maturation in African Eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum, L.) AJAR/03.07.21/15690 3. Temperature and Light effects on germination behaviour of African eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum L.) seeds. ARCC/A-623 4. Qualitative and Quantitative Assessment of African Eggplant Seed Germination in Relation to Seed Maturation. Agricultural and Food Science Journal of Ghana Vol. 14: 1443-1455 https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/afsjg.v14i1.9 5. H. M. Botey, J. O. Ochuodho, L. Ngode & H. Dwamena (2022). Fruit Maturity & After-Ripening Improve Seed Physical and Physiological Quality of Solanum aethiopicum L. Ghana J. Sci. 63 (2), 2022, 1 - 11 https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/gjs.v63i2.1 |
| Gerard Oballim | 6. Production and utilization of Bambara nut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.) in Northern and Eastern Uganda. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 18(11): 977–990. doi: 10.5897/AJAR2022.16158 7. Changes in seed quality during seed development and maturation of Bambara nut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.) landraces. International Journal of Agronomy: (In press). 8. Tannins and flavonoids contents influence seed pigmentation and seed quality aspects during seed development of Bambara nut (Vigna subterranea (L.) verdc.) landraces. (submitted manuscript) 9. Phytic acid, protein and oil content and their relationship with seed quality during seed maturation of Bambara nut (Vigna subterranea L. verdc.) landraces (submitted manuscript) |
| Obura Morish | 10. M. Obura, G. Oballim, J. O. Ochuodho, F. N. W. Maina and V. E. Anjichi. 2021. Effect of Phosphorus Fertilizer Rates and Seed Priming Treatments on Seed Quality of Bambara Groundnut. Agricultural and Food Science Journal of Ghana, 14: 1337-1353. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/afsjg.v14i1.2 |
| Mamie Diop | 11. Production, Seed Management and Utilization of Velvet Bean (Mucuna pruriens L. Dc) in Western Kenya. African Journal of Education, Science and Technology, May, 2021, Vol 6, No. 3, pages 27-44 12. Seed Quality of Velvet Bean Seeds (Mucuna pruriens L. Dc) In Western Kenya. African Journal of Education, Science and Technology, April, 2023, Vol 7, No. 3, pages 154-165 |
| Boyce Pako Monau | 13. Effect of Leaf Harvesting on Yield Parameters and Seed Quality of Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.)" Journal of Crops, Livestock and Pests Management, ISSN: 3005-2181 |
Short term exchange program for faculty and non-academic staff
The project also had student and staff exchange; and non-academic staff exchange and the following participated in the project life time.
Students, Tachnical and Administrative staff that participated in the Project:
| S/No. | Name | From/ Sending | To/ Hosting | Activity |
| 1 | Fanuel Leting (PhD student, NMU, Arusha) | UoE - SCHS | Makerere, Uganda | Study storage pests of Dolichos lablab |
| 2 | Leanard Agan (MSc student) | UoE - SES | UCAD, Senegal | Study environmental toxicology using frogs |
| 3 | Denish Onen (MSc student) | Makerere | UoE | Study diversity and population dynamics of fruit fly in Mangoes in Siaya county |
| 4 | Beartrice Cheserek (Administrator) | UoE - ReMSI, directorate | Makerere | Experience administration/management of resources, gender and internationalization of institutions |
| 5 | Baguma (Registrar Academic) | Makerere | UoE | Experience administration/management of Academic division |
| 6 | Juma Hawa (HR Manager) | Makarere | UoE | Experience human resource management |
Image Gallery
