A group of PhD and MSc students involved in the FoodAfrica programme participated in a training at the University of Helsinki prior to the FoodAfrica midterm seminar. The students came from all the seven work packages, represented many programme countries and scientific fields – from animal and human health to soil micronutrients.

The training was organized by the University of Helsinki and it gave the participants a chance to learn from the university staff and each other as most of the students had never met each other before. Most of the PhD students were from African partner countries and some from Finland.

WP1's Mercy Nyambura and WP2's Patrick Ngono presenting their posters in the midterm seminar.
WP1’s Mercy Nyambura and WP2’s Patrick Ngono presenting their posters in the midterm seminar.

The students had a one-day training on analytical thinking skills, which gave the students many new and interesting perspectives. The second day focused on academic writing skills. HAMK University of Applied Sciences organized a lecture on applying research results in practice. In addition to the lectures the group visited the food science laboratories, research farm and dairy in the Viikki campus area.

The feedback from the students shows that the training was very successful. Many of the students appreciated especially the lecture on academic writing. The lecture gave them good tips on how to organize their ideas and results in a shorter and clearer way.

In the FoodAfrica midterm seminar all the PhD students presented their research in the poster session.

WP5's Sara Ahlberg and Sini Laurikkala conversing in the seminar and MTT's Director General Erkki Kemppainen with WP5's Anima Sirma.
WP5’s Sara Ahlberg and Sini Laurikkala conversing in the seminar and MTT’s Director General Erkki Kemppainen with WP5’s Anima Sirma.
WP5's Daniel Mugangai and Anima Sirma enjoying the cold Finnish summer.
WP5’s Daniel Mugangai and Anima Sirma enjoying the cold Finnish summer.