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Carleton Announces the First Cohort of Women Researchers in QES Advanced Scholars West Africa Program

By Nick Ward

As one of 11 Canadian universities to receive funding from the Queen Elizabeth Scholars (QES) Advanced Scholars West Africa program to work together to find solutions to the world’s increasingly complex challenges, Carleton University is thrilled to announce its Scholars for 2022:

The project is led by Nduka Otiono, a distinguished scholar in Carleton’s Institute of African Studies in collaboration with colleagues at Carleton who constitute a Governing Committee, and various African partners including Aisha Fofana Ibrahim, assistant deputy vice-chancellor of Fourah Bay College at the University of Sierra Leone. Carleton’s Heloise Emdon serves as Manager International, while Stephanie Pineau has been the Project Coordinator.

External project partners include IMPACT-Partnership Africa, CODE, Africa-Canada Chamber of Commerce, and African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS).

Dr. Nduka Otiono

“We are delighted to have concluded the rigorous selection process for the QES Scholars West Africa project, and are looking forward to hosting the first cohort of seven scholars by our September start date,” said the Principal Investigator, Dr. Otiono.

We received dozens of applications across the West African region, making the process quite competitive. We are particularly thrilled to have a mix of scholars from both English- and French-speaking countries in the region.

Dr. Nduka Otiono

“We also have some scholars selected for the second cohort,” stated Otiono. “We will be running our call again for the 2023 and 2024 cohort of scholars in the fall. We hope that scholars who missed the opportunity in this cycle will apply.”

It is worth noting that research from the British Council and German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) shows low rates of completion of PhDs in sub-Saharan Africa and inequities in terms of gender, as well as limited alignment of engagement with industry, the private sector and societal needs. This project aims to combat these challenges by:

“Women’s triple roles of production, reproduction and community management increase the barriers women confront in building an academic career,” said Otiono.

These burdens have disproportionately increased during the COVID-19 pandemic which, according to the United Nations, might be reversing gender equality gains. By providing often-lacking resources and enabling community stakeholders and facilitators, this project is designed to create intellectual and logistical support, including space and time away from non-research obligations, for West African women on a research development trajectory.

Dr. Nduka Otiono

Two hundred Canadian and West African researchers and advanced scholars will receive funding from the new QES Advanced Scholars West Africa program.

Each of the projects focuses on gender equality and puts particular emphasis on increasing partnerships between Canada and Francophone countries. All scholars will also participate in leadership development and community engagement activities and in the broader network of Queen Elizabeth Scholars.

The Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarships (QES) is managed through a unique partnership of Universities Canada, the Rideau Hall Foundation (RHF), and Canadian universities. The QES-AS West Africa program is made possible with financial support from IDRC. The QES program was created in 2014 to improve global talent exchange between Canada and other nations. The program aims to develop the next generation of innovative leaders and community builders by providing enriched academic, professional and cross-cultural experiences and by facilitating lasting local and global community engagement.