PRDF 2014

2014 PRDF PROJECTS

The 2014 Partnership & Research Development Fund (PRDF) attracted 27 applications, of which 14 were funded. These 14 projects comprised two development projects, one mining project, seven food security projects, four education related projects and one health project. Many of these had been developed through workshops in Pretoria and Canberra in 2014.

Name of Project Principal Investigator(s) AAUN Partners Non-AAUN Partners Objectives and Outcomes
Surveillance and monitoring of food security for Africa: proposal development Dr Ranil Coorey, Curtin University University of Ghana, Makerere University, University of Nairobi, University of Pretoria,  N/A To build a research network that works with government and industry / to draft major research proposal to fund the development of a robust food security/safety surveillance system for poultry meat production.
Where does your food come from? Food supply in the context of trade, agriculture and nutrition Dr Joel Negin, Sydney University Makerere University, University of Pretoria 4T To develop a better understanding of the policy levers available to influence food supply for urban households in order to promote healthier diets, local agriculture and a sustainable health system that supports food security.
Mining for a Healthier Community Dr Helen Macdonald, University of Cape Town University of Mauritius, University of Melbourne, University of Queensland University of Adelaide & Australian National University To develop sustainable applied research, inform new strategies and practices in the implementation of health rights for mining populations in respect to policy input, public education, health interventions, and centrally position Australia and South Africa in the global debates on health and mining research and intervention.
A Study of the Experiences of Ghana, Kenya and Mauritius with Special Economic Zone (SEZ): Imperatives of Law and Economics Dr Emmanuel Laryea, Monash University University of Ghana, University of Nairobi, Murdoch University   N/A To evaluate the success and failure of Special Economic Zones (SEZs), and develop proposals for a better and more effective use of SEZ as a strategy for economic development.
Estimation of Rock Size Distributions Using Image Analysis Dr Anthony Amankwah, University of Ghana University of Pretoria, Curtin University   N/A To develop a tool using new algorithms for image analysis, to more accurately estimate the size distribution of ore particles and the amount of ore fines or particulate.
21st Century Skills for Education Practitioners : Rapid e-Learning Tools to develop Interactive Learning Materials Associate Professor Mohammad Issack Santally, University of Mauritius Makerere University, Curtin University   N/A To develop an online Postgraduate professional learning program in Rapid e-Learning Methodology and to equip educators with the relevant 21st Century Learning Skills where Information Communications Technology (ICT) is integrated in education practices.
Master of Biosafety Joint Development Project Associate Professor Andrew Drinnan, University of Melbourne University of Ghana, University of Nairobi Science, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology,  Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR), Australia and Technology Policy Research Institute, Ghana To establish a Master of Biosafety program at the Universities of Ghana and Nairobi through collaboration with the University of Melbourne and form a sustainable postgraduate programme that will continue to train biosafety professionals for sub-Saharan Africa into the future.
Mapping Australia-Africa Partnerships in Higher Education Profesor Anthony Welch, University of Sydney & Professor Crain Soudien, University of Cape Town Makerere University, University of Pretoria University of Kwazulu-Natal & University of New England To map student and staff exchange, and academic/research collaborations between Australian and African universities, in order to extend existing information, and lay the ground for enriching existing, and forming new, partnerships.
Mapping HR and Entrepreneurial Networks and Resources in East African Community Special Economic Zones Prof Felix Mavondo, Monash University Makerere University La Trobe  & Melbourne Institute of Technology To develop a framework for  further research and validation of desk research findings / Involve those with hands-on experience in SEZs to build base data from which to start project framing.
Integrated design of highly palatable extruded and other foods for nutrition,
health and wellbeing using selected sustainable grains and legume fractions
Prof Kolawole Falade, University of Ibadan University of Pretoria, Curtin University Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology To develop a major proposal that will benefit both Australian and African communities, that seeks to deliver foods with targeted nutritional quality, that will help improve health and wellbeing in the societies.
Development of sweetpotato postharvest-handling technologies for improved safety and quality of fresh and processed forms Dr George Abong’, University of Nairobi Makerere University, University of Queensland Kibabii University College To develop sweetpotato post-harvest and processing technologies that assure safety and quality of sweetpotato in Kenya.
Enhancing community-based farming systems by integrated and efficient soil-water-nutrient management regimes in sub-Saharan Africa: from research to farm business enterprises Associate Professor Iankwu Odeh, University of Sydney University of Ghana, University of Ibadan, University of Nairobi Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Agricultural University, Makurdi, South Eastern Kenya University, Nelson Mandela African Inst. of Sci. & Tec Arusha & Kwame Nkrumah Univ. of Sci. & Tech & Int. Inst. for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), DSM To investigate why agricultural productivity is generally low in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and how this can be resolved through research diffusion into farm enterprises.
An Analysis Of The Value Chain For Indigenous Edible Insects And Their Potential Role In Mother And Child Nutrition In Eastern And Southern Africa: Focus On Mopani Professor Mavis Mulaudzi, University of Pretoria Makerere University, University of Zambia, University of Melbourne Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources; Council for Scientific and industrieal Research (CSIR) To evaluate the potential of indigenous edible insects of southern and eastern Africa to contribute to mother and child nutrition.
Developing and retaining the next generation of academics and researchers Associate Professor Mbulgeni Madiba, University of Cape Town University of Mauritius, University of Pretoria, Monash University, University of Sydney   N/A To develop a strategy within Africa which aims to develop and retain the next generation of academics and researchers.
Assessing the Benefits of Agro-biodiversity in the Context of Climate Variability and change Dr Peter Johnston, University of Cape Town & Prof Janet Bornman, Curtin University University of Ibadan, University of Pretoria, University of Western Australia OABS Development Pty (Ltd);  Univ. of Stellenbosch and South African National Biodiversity Institute To develop an implementation plan for securing external funding and carrying out the steps required to commence a collaborative research project concerned with agro-biodiversity, food security and climate risks.
Building an AAUN coalition to support  improved nutrition and health of children under 5 years, pregnant and lactating mothers (Extension) Professor Mavis Mulaudzi, University of Pretoria & Associate Professor Robyn Alders, University of Sydney University of Ibadan, Makerere University, University of Mauritius, University of Nairobi, University of Zambia, Griffith University, University of Melbourne, University of Wollongong, University of Western Australia   N/A To develop a workshop that facilitates knowledge-sharing between researchers from Australia and Africa.