The University of Pretoria (UP) recently hosted a roadshow to introduce the Africa-Europe Cluster of Research Excellence in Sustainable Food Systems (CoRE-SFS ) to the campus community. As part of the broader CoRE initiative, which was launched in 2023 by the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) and the Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities, the CoRE-SFS aims to transform the nature of collaborative research related to persistent food systems challenges such as food insecurity, malnutrition and poverty.

The roadshow was designed to create awareness around this transcontinental collaboration. Each CoRE brings together researchers from at least three African and two European universities to tackle significant scientific challenges through research and higher education. The CoRE-SFS was awarded to UP and the University of Bologna as co-leads, and unites 22 partners in a challenge-focused, integrated research platform.

“The topic of sustainable food systems is vitally important, and the CoRE-SFS is uniquely positioned to contribute to this priority policy area,” said Sean Rowlands, senior policy officer at the Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities.

The event featured more than 100 participants, including researchers, academic staff and postgraduate students, who joined four sessions held across UP’s campuses. The sessions familiarised attendees with the CoRE-SFS and provided an overview of current collaborative research projects and proposals. They also ensured that participants could connect with the CoRE-SFS network and understand the scope of its initiatives.

“A major milestone for CoRE-SFS in its first year was the successful submission to ARUA and the Guild of a proposal for a collaborative PhD in Sustainable Food Systems,” said Professor Frans Swanepoel, CoRE-SFS co-lead at UP and Future Africa Research Chair in Sustainable Food Systems. “In late December last year, CoRE partners were disappointed when ARUA informed us that the Mastercard Foundation’s commitment to funding 1 000 PhDs over the next decade had been delayed. However, we remain encouraged by the fact that the agreement between ARUA and the Guild, particularly regarding the CoRE initiative, is still in place. Within this framework, CoRE-SFS has sought alternative funding through European Union mechanisms to support our planned PhD training programme. This roadshow is one way in which we are bolstering our efforts to expand networks that will strengthen our funding applications.”

The roadshow kicked off with a webinar titled Collaboration for Capacity Building, which included presentations by experts in food systems and international collaboration. Prof Swanepoel opened the session with a brief introduction and was followed by Rowlands, who outlined the framework of the core initiative. Prof Ernest Aryeetey, founding Secretary-General of ARUA, shared an African perspective on collaboration for capacity building. The session concluded with a case study presented by Prof Davide Chinigò, Senior Assistant Professor of African History and Institutions at the University of Bologna, and a 15-minute interactive question-and-answer segment moderated by Prof Brunella Morandi, a lecturer on tree ecophysiology at the University of Bologna.

A special highlight was the Deans and Directors Networking Lunch, hosted exclusively for UP staff, which offered UP leaders the opportunity to learn more about the CoRE-SFS and discuss the value the initiative brings to the University as a co-lead. The session highlighted the strategic role of UP in driving the collaborative research agenda and reinforcing institutional capacity in sustainable food systems.

Rowlands extended his engagement beyond the webinar by hosting a networking lunch at Pure Café on UP’s main campus. This session brought together key individuals, including Prof Aryeetey, to discuss collaboration opportunities, share research fundraising experiences and explore potential funding avenues. The lunch format allowed for an informal exchange of ideas and helped strengthen transcontinental ties within the CoRE-SFS network.

“One and a half years into a 10-year initiative of Africa-Europe Clusters of Research Excellence, it was wonderful to see how CoRE-SFS presented its achievements and activities to UP faculties through this roadshow,” Rowlands said. “What struck me during my visit to Pretoria was the significant opportunity and enthusiasm that this cluster is generating; there are excellent research ideas among researchers of all career levels. I’m thrilled to see how European and African colleagues’ chances of working together on groundbreaking ideas co-created by both continents are enhanced by the CoRE initiative.”

The roadshow strengthened connections and paved the way for future collaboration on food systems research. With a focus on maintaining open communication and robust partnerships, CoRE-SFS is well-positioned to advance research and innovation in sustainable food systems.