
UKUDLA launches first summer school on sustainable food systems and data science
The African–German Centre of Excellence for Sustainable and Resilient Food Systems and Applied Agricultural and Food Data Science (UKUDLA) hosted its first summer school from 14–24 September 2025 at the University of Western Cape (UWC) in South Africa. The programme brought together master’s, doctoral, and postdoctoral fellows from Southern Africa and Germany for an intensive two weeks of training, exchange, and collaboration.

Feed–Protect–Care Global PhD Collaborative platform hosts third training in SA
The third training of the Feed–Protect–Care Global PhD Collaborative Platform took place in Cape Town, South Africa, co-hosted by the University of Pretoria and the University of Montpellier. More than 50 doctoral scholars from across the world engaged in dialogue, peer learning, and experiential activities to advance sustainable food systems research and leadership.

Embedding entrepreneurship and innovation in education essential, says Future Africa research chair
On 23 August 2025, the University of Pretoria (UP), the African Development Bank (AfDB), and the University of Tokyo co-hosted the symposium “From Campus to Community: University Collaboration between Africa and Japan for Real-World Change” as an official side event of the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9).

New generation of scientists needed for Africa’s food systems, says Future Africa experts
Africa’s food systems face urgent challenges. In a commentary published in the South African Journal of Science, Prof Frans Swanepoel and Dr Melody Mentz-Coetzee, affiliated with Future Africa, reflect on FSNet-Africa as a model for training new scientists to drive sustainable change.

Africa Week 2025 panel discussion: ‘Africa’s food insecurity is a global security issue’
Africa’s food insecurity is not just a development challenge — it’s a global security issue. That was the message from panellists at Africa Week 2025, who highlighted the links between hunger, conflict, climate change and governance failures, and called for integrated, long-term responses.

Unpacking STEM Careers: Her Voice in Science
On February 11, 2025, the world marked the 10th anniversary of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science under the theme "Unpacking STEM Careers: Her Voice in Science." This year’s theme


UKUDLA – Centre of Excellence for Food Systems and Food Data Science officially launched
On 20 January 2025, during the 11th German-African Agribusiness Forum, UKUDLA – the African-German Centre of Excellence for Sustainable and Resilient Food Systems and Applied Agricultural and Food Data Science – was officially launched.

Future Africa welcomes UKUDLA: New African-German centre for Sustainable Food Systems and Data Science in Africa
The University of Pretoria (UP) will co-lead the African-German Centre for Sustainable and Resilient Food Systems and Applied Agricultural and Food Data Science, known as UKUDLA. This centre will be part of the Future Africa Research Chair in Sustainable Food Systems...

New Africa-Europe Research Cluster launched to transform Sustainable Food Systems
The University of Pretoria (UP) recently launched the Africa-Europe Cluster of Research Excellence on Sustainable Food Systems (CoRE-SFS), a transformative initiative addressing Africa’s pressing agricultural challenges, particularly those brought on by climate change and rapid population growth, which place increasing strain on crop and livestock production.