One of the most critical challenges in science and technology in Africa today is strengthening and replacing the continent's aging population of faculty and researchers. Another critical challenge, which it plans to address in the years ahead, is turning scientific research into products and services that benefit society.

These are the critical missions of RISE – the Regional Initiative in Science and Education. RISE pursues this goal through its support of institutional networks.

The initiative – which is funded by the Carnegie Foundation and administered by the Science Initiative Group (SIG) at Princeton's Institute for Advanced Study in the USA – held its annual meeting in Kampala, Uganda, on 14 and 15 October. TWAS was invited to attend the RISE meeting to discuss possible avenues of collaboration.

Strong networks, RISE believes, not only lessen the isolation that often afflicts researchers, especially in developing countries, but also create synergies that can help advance the scientific agenda.

RISE is currently comprised of five networks.

• African Natural Products Network (AFNNET) focuses on coursework and training in biochemistry, engineering, environmental science, nutrition and pharmaceuticals that are designed to help transform Africa's wealth of biodiversity into products and services with market potential. AFNNET collaborating partners include: Makerere University, Uganda (lead); University of Nairobi, Kenya; and Sokoine University, Tanzania.
• African Materials Science and Engineering Network (AMSEN) focuses on coursework and training in materials science and engineering designed develop and add value to the extensive mineral deposits in southern Africa. AMSEN collaborating partners include: University of Witwatersrand, South Africa (lead); University of Nairobi, Kenya; and University of Botswana.
• Sub-Saharan Africa Water Resources Network (SSAWRN) conducts research and training on water-related issues, including dwindling water supplies and reduced water quality, and the impact that climate change is having on water resources. SSAWRN collaborating partners include: Rhodes University, South Africa (lead); Eduardo Mondiane University, Mozambique; University of Botswana; and Makerere University, Uganda.
• Western Indian Ocean Regional Initiative in Marine Science and Education (WIO-RISE), which provides research and training in issues related to coastal and marine resources and the protection of the coastal and marine environment. Collaborating partners include: University of Dar es Salam, Tanzania (lead); Eduardo Mondlane University, Mozambique; and University of Cape Town, South Africa.
• South African Biochemistry and Informatics for Natural Products (SABINA) conducts research and training in the fields of biochemistry and chemistry focusing on natural products that have potential to increase food security and agricultural exports. Collaborating partners include: University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; University of Pretoria, South Africa; University of Witwaterstrand, South Africa; Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR); and Tea Research Foundation of Central Africa, Malawi.

Each network supports master's and doctoral training for young researchers. For example, the AFNNET network has graduated 17 PhDs and registered four patents. The SABINA network is on track to graduate 20 PhDs within the next two years. Other RISE networks are achieving similar results.

Each network, moreover, faces a similar set of challenges: scaling up to help ensure that a critical mass of researchers is created; bridging the gap between the academic research conducted by network members and addressing societal needs; promoting stronger collaboration not only within the network but with institutions outside the network; and providing opportunities for researchers who receive MSc and PhD through the RISE initiative.

TWAS and RISE share a common goal of building capacity in science and technology in all developing countries. By working together and providing broader access to their activities, both organizations could help advance their agendas more rapidly.

Fellowship and exchange programmes, joint workshops and joint publications were among the potential collaborative activities discussed at the RISE annual meeting. As Lillian Ekirkubinza, deputy vice chancellor for academic affairs at Makerere University, noted in the opening session of the workshop, "Africa must replenish the next generation of faculty on the continent and RISE is serving as an important resource in advancing this goal."

To advance this goal, Philip Griffiths (TWAS Associate Fellow), chair of SIG, noted that RISE "will likely face two critical challenges: how to ensure the initiative's sustainability and how to scale up its activities." Reaching out to TWAS and other organizations, he observed, "could help RISE successfully meet these challenges in ways that would benefit our partners as well."

Editor's note: See the TWAS-RISE publications focusing on the Okavango Research Institute, Botswana, and the Institute of Marine Sciences, Zanzibar, Tanzania, which are part of the Academy's series: Excellence in Science: Profiles of Research Institutions in Developing Countries.