About OWSD
About OWSD
OWSD provides research training and networking opportunities for women scientists throughout the developing world at different stages in their careers.
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OWSD has been working hard in Africa since 1997 to improve the number and quality of women scientists. Our first President, Lydia Makubu was from Swaziland. Our fellowships programme has provided full PhD scholarships to over 270 women from sub-Saharan Africa. We have 53 host institutes in 16 African countries..

Africa

Coordinator: Olubukola Babalola

There is so much scientific knowledge and talent to be harnessed in Africa.

In 41 Countries

News & Events

See all the News & Events

Countries

Nigeria

1449 Members

7 PhD Fellows

60 PhD Graduates

8 Awardees

The OWSD Nigeria National Chapter was founded in 2010 and is based at the Department of Physics, University of Uyo. There are sub-chapters based at: the University of Lagos; Obafemi Awolowo University; Ekiti State University; the University of Benin (Nigeria); Federal University of Technology Akure; Federal University of Technology Owerri; Michael Opara University of Agriculture, Umudike; University of Uyo; Afe Babalola University; Lagos State University; South East Zone; Osun State University; and University of Port Harcourt.

Contact person:

DR. (MRS.) ENO E. ITUEN
enoeituen@uniuyo.edu.ng

South Africa

394 Members

15 PhD Fellows

52 PhD Graduates

1 Awardee

Contact person:

Dr Caroline Pule
owsd.sanc@gmail.com

Nomthandazo Mabena

Chemical Sciences

Nivarya Naidoo

Astronomy, Space and Earth Sciences

Melissa de Kock

Nadege Agbodjato

Biological Systems and Organisms

Jennifer A. Thomson

Biological Systems and Organisms

Kamini Govender

Medical and Health Sciences incl Neurosciences

Pragashnie Govender

Medical and Health Sciences incl Neurosciences

Dimakatso Bontle Kokoropo

Biological Systems and Organisms

Kenya

314 Members

19 PhD Fellows

19 PhD Graduates

6 Early Career Fellows

1 Awardee

The OWSD Kenya National Chapter was established in August 2014. Its primary focus is on mentorship and encouragement of girls and women in Science and Technology. It is also involved in partnerships with the private sector, networking and capacity-building of members through regular meetings and activities, including the organization of OWSD regional conferences.

Contact person:

Zipporah Wanjiku
owsdke@gmail.com

Zipporah Gichana

Agricultural Sciences

Wilkister Nyaora Moturi

Biological Systems and Organisms

Lucy Kanja

Medical and Health Sciences incl Neurosciences

Verrah Otiende

Mathematical sciences

Roselyn Kinoti

Medical and Health Sciences incl Neurosciences

Liza Mwirigi

Medical and Health Sciences incl Neurosciences

Bridget Mutuma

Chemical Sciences

Ruth Waswa

Astronomy, Space and Earth Sciences

Zimbabwe

258 Members

11 PhD Fellows

19 PhD Graduates

The OWSD Zimbabwe National Chapter, hosted at the Zimbabwe Academy of Sciences, was launched in November 2018. Among its objectives are: to facilitate research collaborations nationally and internationally; to initiate research projects relevant to national development; to familiarize members with patent procedures and other aspects of entrepreneurship; and to generate scholarship funding for girls to study science.

Contact person:

Fortunate Farirai
owsdzimbabwe@gmail.com

Ghana

257 Members

6 PhD Fellows

14 PhD Graduates

5 Early Career Fellows

2 Awardees

Originally established in 1988, the Ghana National Chapter was re-launched in November 2018. It organizes workshops and other activities to develop the careers of female scientists. It also promotes the visibility of OWSD programmes and activities in local high schools to encourage young women to take up studies in the sciences. It is based at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).

Contact person:

Vivian Etsiapa Boamah
etsiapa@yahoo.com

Cameroon

182 Members

17 PhD Fellows

30 PhD Graduates

3 Early Career Fellows

1 Awardee

The OWSD Cameroon National Chapter was established in March 2019, hosted at the University of Yaounde I. Among its activities are: setting up STEM clubs in secondary schools; collecting data on gender statistics and participation of women in STEM research; teaching and governance; advocating for policies for gender mainstreaming in science and women's equal access to educational training and resources; and providing training and resources for women scientists, for career development and work-life balance.

Contact person:

Nangah Che Randy
owsdcam@gmail.com

Mafogang Borelle

Chemical Sciences

Ndifor Awah Syntia Cann

Chemical Sciences

Emade Kwene Carine

Chemical Sciences

Yolande Sandrine Mengue Ngadena

Medical and Health Sciences incl Neurosciences

Anne Claudia BOUGHA

Engineering sciences

Audrey Marcelle Onanena Bofia Dipita

Biological Systems and Organisms

Alieen Seh Talla

Structural, Cell and Molecular Biology

Amana Bokagne Therese Vanessa

Biological Systems and Organisms

Tanzania

144 Members

5 PhD Fellows

8 PhD Graduates

4 Early Career Fellows

The OWSD Tanzania National Chapter was established in February 2019. It is hosted at the Open University of Tanzania (OUT) in Dar es Salaam. Among the National Chapter's activities are outreach to young women in secondary schools and universities to encourage their participation in STEM, organizing training and workshops on career advancement for early career women scientists, fostering peer mentorship programmes for women scientists and engineers, and conducting research on STEM-related projects.

Contact person:

Zainab Katima
zaykatima@hotmail.com

Rwanda

86 Members

7 PhD Fellows

4 PhD Graduates

2 Early Career Fellows

Contact person:

Mukanyiligira Didacienne
owsdncrwanda@gmail.com

Uganda

75 Members

6 PhD Fellows

15 PhD Graduates

3 Early Career Fellows

1 Awardee

There is no OWSD national chapter in this country at present. To find out more about setting up a national chapter please read the National Chapter Guidelines.

Bridget Magoba

Computing and Information Technology

Justine Mirembe

Medical and Health Sciences incl Neurosciences

Catherine Namayega

Medical and Health Sciences incl Neurosciences

Hildah Amutuhaire

Agricultural Sciences

Mary Grace Katusiime

Medical and Health Sciences incl Neurosciences

Jennifer Nambooze

Chemical Sciences

Dianah Rose Abeho

Astronomy, Space and Earth Sciences

Ruth Nahurira

Agricultural Sciences

Benin

62 Members

8 PhD Fellows

8 PhD Graduates

2 Early Career Fellows

There is no OWSD national chapter in this country at present. To find out more about setting up a national chapter please read the National Chapter Guidelines.

Houénoudé Alexandrine BOKOSSA

Agricultural Sciences

Rachidatou KARIMOU

Biological Systems and Organisms

Marthe Montcho

Agricultural Sciences

Amoussa Roukiyath Adjilé Edjide

Medical and Health Sciences incl Neurosciences

Josiane Adjobignon SEMASSA

Biological Systems and Organisms

BA Rafiatou

Agricultural Sciences

N'TCHA Christine

Structural, Cell and Molecular Biology

TOKPLONOU Léonidas

Medical and Health Sciences incl Neurosciences

MOZAMBIQUE

63 Members

5 PhD Fellows

1 PhD Graduate

1 Early Career Fellow

Contact person:

Valera Dias
owsd.mozambique@gmail.com
T.+258828856570

Esselina Tomas Fuel

Medical and Health Sciences incl Neurosciences

Elsa Salvador

Medical and Health Sciences incl Neurosciences

Nilza de Lemos Collinson

Computing and Information Technology

Handina da Graça Lurdes Langa Massango

Agricultural Sciences

Yolanda Laura Ganhane de Sousa

Agricultural Sciences

Laisse Ogifo

Agricultural Sciences

Amelia Helena Ribeiro

Agricultural Sciences

Nelta Niquice

Engineering sciences

Zambia

65 Members

2 PhD Fellows

5 PhD Graduates

1 Early Career Fellow

The Zambia National Chapter of OWSD was established in July 2019, and is hosted at the School of Engineering at Copperbelt University in Kitwe. Among its activities are supporting professional development and providing career guidance to female students, promoting multidisciplinary research collaborations between women scientists and engineers, disseminating information on fellowships, training and other opportunities for women scientists and engineers, and conducting outreach activities to girls at primary and secondary school levels.

Contact person:

Gerry Siampondo
zowscience@gmail.com

Ethiopia

59 Members

9 PhD Fellows

11 PhD Graduates

4 Early Career Fellows

There is no OWSD national chapter in this country at present. To find out more about setting up a national chapter please read the National Chapter Guidelines.

Botswana

56 Members

1 PhD Fellow

3 PhD Graduates

Contact person:

Boammaaruri Malemenyane
bmalemenyane@gmail.com

Masego Matlhogonolo Seipei

Social and Economic Sciences

Nomazile Chicho

Medical and Health Sciences incl Neurosciences

Botlhe Matlhodi

Astronomy, Space and Earth Sciences

Atlasaone Kokwe

Astronomy, Space and Earth Sciences

Gosaitse Tubatsi

Biological Systems and Organisms

Chawangwa Damba

Lucy Mupfumi

Medical and Health Sciences incl Neurosciences

Tlhalefo Ndichi

Structural, Cell and Molecular Biology

Malawi

51 Members

3 PhD Graduates

2 Early Career Fellows

The OWSD Malawi National Chapter was established in November 2020 and is based at the National Commission of Science and Technology (NCST), Lilongwe. Among its planned activities are establishing a mentoring programme for women and girls in STEM, organizing science fairs to showcase scientific and technological advances in science, organizing conferences, training, seminars and workshops for women in science, and providing education to girls and young women on issues to do with nutrition, communicable and non-communicable diseases that affect women, as well as on gender-based violence.

Contact person:

Edith Milanzi
owsdmalawichapter@gmail.com

Senegal

45 Members

4 PhD Fellows

3 PhD Graduates

1 Early Career Fellow

Contact person:

Rufina Dabo Sarr
owsdsenegal@gmail.com
T.+221 77 564 08 74

Mauritius

39 Members

1 PhD Graduate

The OWSD Mauritius National Chapter was launched in February 2018 and is hosted by the Food and Agricultural Research Extension Institute (FAREI). The role of the National Chapter is to consolidate the network of women engaged in science in Mauritius, to create networking opportunities through events to showcase their contribution to the different sectors of the economy and to outreach the youth and the community for creating interest and awareness in science. The National Chapter also facilitates access to career and training opportunities for career development.

Contact person:

Dr Devika Saddul
womeninsciencemauritius@gmail.com
T.+23059112983

Congo, Dem. Rep

30 Members

3 PhD Fellows

3 PhD Graduates

There is no OWSD national chapter in this country at present. To find out more about setting up a national chapter please read the National Chapter Guidelines.

Madagascar

27 Members

4 PhD Fellows

2 PhD Graduates

1 Early Career Fellow

There is no OWSD national chapter in this country at present. To find out more about setting up a national chapter please read the National Chapter Guidelines.

Rosephine Georgina Rakotonirainy

Mathematical sciences

Sitraka Andrianony

Medical and Health Sciences incl Neurosciences

Valisoa Razanajatovo Misanantenaina

Mathematical sciences

Miary Raselimanana

Biological Systems and Organisms

Andrianasolo Domohina Noromalala

Biological Systems and Organisms

Lady Mireille Razafindranaivo

Hasina Marie Irèna RAKOTONIRIANA

Medical and Health Sciences incl Neurosciences

Vololonirina Rasoamalala

Astronomy, Space and Earth Sciences

Namibia

23 Members

1 PhD Graduate

The Namibia National Chapter of OWSD was established in June 2019 at the University of Namibia in Windhoek. Among its objectives are promoting girls' participation in STEM, organizing workshops and an annual conference for women in STEM in the country, establishing a mentorship programme to link women scientists both locally and internationally, creating a database of women in STEM fields in the country, and disemminating information about opportunities for girls and women in STEM.

Contact person:

Theopholine Amushendje
tamushendje@unam.na

Lesotho

21 Members

3 PhD Fellows

3 PhD Graduates

There is no OWSD national chapter in this country at present. To find out more about setting up a national chapter please read the National Chapter Guidelines.

Burundi

19 Members

There is no OWSD national chapter in this country at present. To find out more about setting up a national chapter please read the National Chapter Guidelines.

OTHER COUNTRIES

97 Members

Here are all the countries in this region that currently have less than 20 members. To find out more about setting up a national chapter please read the National Chapter Guidelines.

Cláudia Fançony

Biological Systems and Organisms

Adjany Costa

Biological Systems and Organisms

Windkouni Antonia Bere

Structural, Cell and Molecular Biology

Success stories

All this has broadened my knowledge for this domain of science, gave me an open mind and also allowed me to learn many things.

Christelle Noelle Dzesse Tekouo

Chemical Sciences

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In today’s scientific environment, in which most PhD scientists concentrate on a single specific discipline, I might shift toward a more systemic view to approach the challenge in infectious diseases.

Dora Murielle Rajonhson

Biological Systems and Organisms

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Dr. Shammi's research will help to fill a crucial gap in the the global understanding of carbon dynamics and greenhouse gas emissions by providing data on one of the world’s largest river systems.

Mashura Shammi

Chemical Sciences

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The long-awaited dream

W. Bernice Armelle Bancole

Agricultural Sciences

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“Am very proud to say that I am encouraging other Cameroonian female scientists to apply for the OWSD fellowship programme and some of them have obtained the grant."

Linda Dyorisse Nyamen Mbong

Chemical Sciences

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I really want to do something for my country. Being part of the Sudan national chapter has given me that chance.

Dalia Saad

Chemical Sciences

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" I can boldly declare that OWSD rewarded my brilliance thus giving me recognition and confidence in my professional arena and placed me in national and international scientific communities.”

Mahfuza Begum Mahfuza

Agricultural Sciences

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If we do research, in addition to establishing connections with other researchers, we must also communicate and do a lot of outreach in order to share our science with the community.

Sylla Salma

Astronomy, Space and Earth Sciences

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OWSD's guidance and support allowed me to uncover hidden courage and realize aspects of myself that I never thought I possessed.

Muna Mohamed Elhag

Agricultural Sciences

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The OWSD award helped me not only to become the researcher I am today, but also to become a leader in research.

Salina Parvin Banu

Agricultural Sciences

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I owe ‘what’, ‘who’ and ‘where’ I am in my career and professional practice today to OWSD because without the PHD Fellowship, all my achievements today would have been nothing but bleak.

Marycelin Baba

Biological Systems and Organisms

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When I got my OWSD fellowship, it was an amazing feeling. Before getting the letter, my academic career was a dream, the letter made it possible.

Nashwa Eassa

Physics

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OWSD has provided tremendous support in shaping my career as a researcher, science ambassador, role model for women scientists and a "think high" human being.

Tabassum Mumtaz

Biological Systems and Organisms

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Due to the war in Yemen, I had stopped studying for two years. This opportunity gave me the chance to complete my postgraduate studies.

Sumaia AL-Ghuribi

Engineering sciences

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OWSD fellowship represents a real empowering difference in my life and career

Huda Basaleem

Medical and Health Sciences incl Neurosciences

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Winning this award opened many doors for me. It has led to success in acquiring local funding.

Simone Badal

Chemical Sciences

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