From high-tech drone demonstrations to high-level university talks in Canada, May was a month of dynamic academic exchange and international collaboration for the Aga Khan University's Arusha Climate and Environmental Research Centre (AKU-ACER).
A key highlight was the two-week intensive field school hosted for nine undergraduate students and their supervisor, Professor Woo Soo Kim, from Simon Fraser University's (SFU) School of Mechatronic Systems Engineering. The programme immersed students in the application of unmanned aerial systems (drones) for precision agriculture. They focused on analysing soil nutrient levels and identifying weed growth in coffee, flower, and avocado plantations, showcasing the practical application of technology to enhance agricultural practices.
The collaboration extended to a joint academic workshop at the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST), fostering interdisciplinary dialogue. A second workshop, co-organized by AKU-ACER and SFU, delved into AI-driven Agritech Applications, exploring machine learning for real-time agronomic diagnostics. SFU students even conducted live drone demonstrations at AKU-ACER's research farm, bringing theory to life.
Further solidifying its ties with SFU, Professor Emmanuel Sulle, Director at AKU-ACER visited SFU in British Columbia, Canada, from May 13 to 24, yielded promising outcomes. Discussions with the University President and key faculty laid the groundwork for Phase II of the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Study in Northern Tanzania and secured a commitment for a university-wide SFU Field School at AKU-ACER in May/June 2026. The visit also saw AKU-ACER's participation in SFU's Climate Innovation Co-Design Jam, bridging Indigenous Knowledge systems with contemporary climate science for resilient solutions.
Closer to home, AKU-ACER representatives participated in a Nature-Based Solutions Capacity Building Workshop in Kirinyaga County, Kenya, organized by the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF). This workshop facilitated cross-country learning in ecological restoration, agroecology, and climate-resilient livelihoods, paving the way for joint research proposals with AKF.
The month concluded with the visit of Professor James Terrence McCabe from the University of Colorado, a renowned scholar in pastoralism and human-environment interactions. His visit fostered academic dialogue and explored potential collaborative research on climate vulnerability and socio-ecological resilience, particularly relevant to Northern Tanzania and Kenya.
May's diverse engagements demonstrate AKU-ACER's commitment to advancing climate and environmental research through global partnerships, innovative technologies, and community-centred approaches, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable future.
