About OWSD
About OWSD
OWSD provides research training and networking opportunities for women scientists throughout the developing world at different stages in their careers.
What is OWSD

Mission and Constitution

OWSD 25th Anniversary

Who We Are
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Impact
Success Stories

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Regions
Africa

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National Chapters
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Fellowships
OWSD has a programme or activity at each stage of your career.
PhD Fellowship
Current PhD Fellows

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Early Career Fellows
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Awards
OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Awards

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Resources
News and Events, Publications, Opportunities and Organizations of Interest: find all this and more in our Resources section.
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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.

4348 Members

125 PhD Fellows

184 PhD Graduates

23 Early Career Fellows

12 Awardees

In 39 Countries

News & Events

See all the News & Events

Countries

Nigeria

2056 Members

12 PhD Fellows

55 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 Oau Ife, Ibadan, Covenant, Ekiti State, Kogi State, University of Nigeria Nsukka, and Benin universities.

Contact person:

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

Hadiza A. Auta

Engineering sciences

Oluwatoyin Animashaun

Biological Systems and Organisms

Mercy Oluokun

Biological Systems and Organisms

Nusirat Elelu Elelu

Medical and Health Sciences incl Neurosciences

Nneka Iduu

Structural, Cell and Molecular Biology

Obioma Raluchukwu Emeka-Obi

Medical and Health Sciences incl Neurosciences

Esther Ifeoluwa Akinyemi

Computing and Information Technology

Kurotamunoye Alwell Sampson Amadi-Rapheal

Agricultural Sciences

Kenya

292 Members

13 PhD Fellows

16 PhD Graduates

1 Early Career Fellow

The OWSD Kenya National Chapter was established in September 2018. 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. The National Chapter is hosted at icipe, the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, in Nairobi. www.owsdkenya.org.

Contact person:

Zipporah Wanjiku
owsdke@gmail.com

South Africa

287 Members

1 PhD Graduate

1 Awardee

The Organization for Women in Science in the Developing World (OWSD) South African National Chapter is hosted by the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf). It was inaugurated in 2009 and is made up of a group of OWSD International members in South Africa who aim to increase and promote female participation in Science and Technology (S&T) professions, in scientific leadership, and in decision-making processes at the national level. https://www.owsdsa.org.za/

Contact person:

Ms Elzarie Swanepoel, Liaison Officer for Gender - Science, Technology and Innovation, ASSAf
elzarie@assaf.org.za
T.+27 123496605

Thuthuzelwa Stempa

Agricultural Sciences

Molemi Evelyn Rauwane

Agricultural Sciences

Chrisna Gouws

Structural, Cell and Molecular Biology

Dikeledi Petunia Malatji

Agricultural Sciences

Tshegofatso Bridget Dikobe

Structural, Cell and Molecular Biology

Mary Funsho Oyetunde-Joshua

Chemical Sciences

Mokoena Maepa

Medical and Health Sciences incl Neurosciences

Juanee Cilliers

Social and Economic Sciences

Ghana

264 Members

8 PhD Fellows

7 PhD Graduates

3 Early Career Fellows

1 Awardee

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

Zimbabwe

250 Members

14 PhD Fellows

11 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

Cameroon

216 Members

18 PhD Fellows

23 PhD Graduates

2 Early Career Fellows

1 Awardee

<p>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.</p>

Contact person:

Nangah Che Randy
r5nanga@yahoo.com

Tanzania

195 Members

7 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:

Doreen Mushi
doreen.mushi@out.ac.tz

Uganda

98 Members

4 PhD Fellows

12 PhD Graduates

2 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.

Catherine Namayega

Medical and Health Sciences incl Neurosciences

Alice Gertrude Litta-Mulondo

Structural, Cell and Molecular Biology

Ritah Nakayinga

Biological Systems and Organisms

Naome Turyahabwe

Medical and Health Sciences incl Neurosciences

Esther Nabadda

Harriet Angwech

Interdisciplinary

Tibezinda Mary

Agricultural Sciences

Ephrance Eunice Namugenyi

Engineering sciences

Rwanda

87 Members

8 PhD Fellows

2 PhD Graduates

1 Early Career Fellow

The OWSD Rwanda National Chapter is hosted by the Rwandan Association of Woman in Science and Engineering. It promotes women’s participation in STEM professions, scientific leadership, and decision making processes, by providing local training and seminars, conducting school outreach, organizing events for members to share their research, and other activities. https://www.facebook.com/STEMWomenRwanda/

Contact person:

Dr. Emelyne Gasana Umunoza
emygasana@gmail.com
T.+250788896323

Ethiopia

76 Members

8 PhD Fellows

11 PhD Graduates

3 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.

Zambia

68 Members

3 PhD Fellows

4 PhD Graduates

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
gmcsiampondo@yahoo.com

Malawi

48 Members

1 PhD Fellow

4 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.

Senegal

45 Members

4 PhD Fellows

1 PhD Graduate

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.

Mauritius

42 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 National Chapter works to enable its members to access research training, career development and networking opportunities that OWSD offers to women scientists throughout the developing world at different stages of their career.

Contact person:

Devika Saddul
womeninsciencemauritius@gmail.com

Maleika Heenaye- Mamode Khan

Computing and Information Technology

Nawaal Benazir Bint RAMAN IBRAHIM

Agricultural Sciences

Devina Lobine

Interdisciplinary

Brinda Oogarah-Pratap

Medical and Health Sciences incl Neurosciences

Bibi Zaynab Toorabally

Medical and Health Sciences incl Neurosciences

Rubina Bunjun

Medical and Health Sciences incl Neurosciences

Magalutcheemee Ramuth

Medical and Health Sciences incl Neurosciences

Teenah Jutton

Social and Economic Sciences

Benin

38 Members

4 PhD Fellows

6 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.

Chakirath Salifou

Agricultural Sciences

Nanou Emeline Dossa

Agricultural Sciences

Ossénatou Mamadou

Astronomy, Space and Earth Sciences

Fernande Honfo

Agricultural Sciences

Yann Christie Sissinto Adjovi

Structural, Cell and Molecular Biology

Azongnide Gbèdotchitché Gwladys

Agricultural Sciences

Etotépé A. Sogbohossou

Agricultural Sciences

Chadare Flora Josiane

Agricultural Sciences

Botswana

33 Members

1 PhD Fellow

2 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.

Rebaone Bay Lechuti-Tlhalerwa

Engineering sciences

Maduo Mosothwane

Engineering sciences

Pulane Koosaletse-Mswela

Biological Systems and Organisms

One Stephen

Medical and Health Sciences incl Neurosciences

Kebaneilwe Lebani

Biological Systems and Organisms

Edith Khumoyame Mabona

Medical and Health Sciences incl Neurosciences

Boammaaruri Malemenyane

Computing and Information Technology

Motlalepula Pholo

Biological Systems and Organisms

Swaziland

28 Members

2 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

28 Members

3 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.

Volatsara Baholy Rahetlah

Agricultural Sciences

Solofo Nasandrata Ravonjiarison

Agricultural Sciences

Razzakamanarivo Herintsitohaina

Agricultural Sciences

Hasina Marie Irèna RAKOTONIRIANA

Medical and Health Sciences incl Neurosciences

Seheno Andriantsaralaza

Biological Systems and Organisms

Lady Mireille Razafindranaivo

Santatra Ravelomanantsoa Santatra

Biological Systems and Organisms

Raharinaivo Lovasoa Rina

Biological Systems and Organisms

Namibia

22 Members

2 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.

OTHER COUNTRIES

175 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.

Suzana Macuvele

Biological Systems and Organisms

Mariem Ahmed Baba

Engineering sciences

Irumva Vanessa

Biological Systems and Organisms

Success stories

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

Mohamed Elhag Muna

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."

Nyamen Mbong Linda Dyorisse

Chemical Sciences

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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.

Eassa Nashwa

Physics

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

Basaleem Huda

Medical and Health Sciences incl Neurosciences

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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.

Mumtaz Tabassum

Biological Systems and Organisms

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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"

Baba Marycelin

Biological Systems and Organisms

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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.

Banu Salina Parvin

Agricultural Sciences

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

Badal Simone

Chemical Sciences

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

Dzesse Tekouo Christelle Noelle

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 Mahfuza Begum

Agricultural 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.

Saad Dalia

Chemical Sciences

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The long-awaited dream

Bancole W. Bernice Armelle

Agricultural Sciences

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