International Science Programme

Since August 1, ISP got a new Director: Professor Carla Puglia!

She will present ISP and the results for a broader audience on 24 September at 16.00 CEST, via the online Colloquium series of American Physical Society.

Please register at https://engage.aps.org/fip/blogs/ericka-donielle-stansbury/2026/08/18/save-the-date-sep-24-international-science-program

Please feel free to share the link with colleagues and students.

SAVE THE DATE: SEP 24: The International Science Programme (ISP) at Uppsala University, Sweden, supports the strengthening of higher education and research capacity in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics in low- and lower-middle-income countries (www.isp.uu.se). Since its establishment in 1961 by Nobel Laureate Kai Siegba...

Seed-funding opportunity: SASUF+ Beyond Borders

There is now an opportunity for researchers in Sweden, South Africa as well as 19 other African sub-Saharan countries to participate in SASUF+ Beyond Borders!

SASUF+ Beyond Borders is a new international collaboration initiative that will help identifying research partners from South African SASUF universities, Swedish SASUF universities, and 19 other African countries in preparation for the upcoming SASUF–NRF Seed Grants for Intra-African Collaborative Research.

Read more about SASUF+ on its website: https://www.sasuf.org/ and South Africa- Sweden University Forum - SASUF

As part of SASUF+ Beyond Borders, there is an AI-powered Matchmaking Platform which connects researchers across the network, explores common research interests, and develops international partnerships ahead of the funding call.

Why should you participate?
By creating a profile on the platform, you will be able to:
- Connect with researchers working in similar or complementary fields.
- Receive AI-powered matchmaking recommendations based on your research expertise, interests, projects, methodologies, and thematic focus areas.
- Discover collaboration opportunities with researchers from South Africa, Sweden, and 19 participating African countries.
- Build interdisciplinary research teams in preparation for the funding call.
- Arrange meetings with potential collaborators before and during the SASUF+ Beyond Borders Virtual Matchmaking Event.

Upcoming Opportunities
1. Register on the AI Matchmaking Platform
Complete your researcher profile and begin connecting with potential collaborators before September 6.
Register here: https://www.b2match.com/e/sasuf-beyond-borders

2. Join an Information Session
Learn how to use the platform, optimise your profile, and make the most of the AI-powered matchmaking functionality.
Information Sessions
2 September 2026: https://uu-se.zoom.us/j/69390636235
3 September 2026: https://uu-se.zoom.us/j/61612537820?from=addon

3. SASUF+ Beyond Borders Virtual Matchmaking Event 30 September – 1 October 2026
Meet with your AI-recommended matches, develop collaborative project ideas, expand your research network, and identify additional partners where needed.

4. SASUF–NRF Seed Grants for Intra-African Collaborative Research
Open: 5 August – 3 November 2026, https://www.sasuf.org/sasuf-nrf-seed-grants-for-intra-africa-collaborative-research-1
The funding call will support collaborative research projects involving:
· At least one South African SASUF university
· At least one Swedish SASUF university
· At least one university from another participating African country:
Angola 🇦🇴, Botswana 🇧🇼, Burkina Faso 🇧🇫, Côte d'Ivoire 🇨🇮, Ethiopia 🇪🇹, Ghana 🇬🇭, Kenya 🇰🇪, Malawi 🇲🇼, Mozambique 🇲🇿, Namibia 🇳🇦, Nigeria 🇳🇬, Rwanda 🇷🇼, Senegal🇸🇳, Sierra Leone 🇸🇱, Tanzania 🇹🇿, Togo 🇹🇬, Uganda 🇺🇬, Zambia 🇿🇲, Zimbabwe 🇿🇼.

For Swedish 🇸🇪 and South African 🇿🇦 SASUF partner universities, please see https://www.sasuf.org/partneruniversities

SASUF+ Beyond Borders Connect with researchers and innovators from Sweden and South Africa. Join the SASUF+ community to foster binational partnerships and tackle global challenges.

We have all seen and read the news about the devasting disaster in Nepal, which has affected so many people. ISP supports a physics research group at Tribhuvan University त्रिवि सूचनाा, and we are deeply concerned about our colleagues there, as well as their families, relatives, friends, and communities during this extremely difficult time.

Our colleague and research group leader, Dr Shriram Sharmaa, responded to our message and shared an account of the situation in the country. We publish his message for giving you a sense of the scale of the catastrophe that Nepal is experiencing right now:

“Thank you so much for your kind concern and for keeping Nepal and our people in your thoughts during this difficult time.

It has indeed been a devastating disaster, with the flash flood claiming many lives, sweeping away villages and critical infrastructure, including more than 20 bridges. - - - the country as a whole is deeply traumatized by the scale of the destruction and loss.

Nepal is also facing tremendous economic losses, with extensive damage to infrastructure, including major power facilities. At this point, it is difficult to estimate how long the recovery will take or the resources that will be required for rescue, rehabilitation, and reconstruction.

The government has appealed to civil society, organizations, and well-wishers at home and abroad to extend financial support to assist with the ongoing rescue and relief efforts and, subsequently, rehabilitation and reconstruction.

If colleagues and friends from across the globe would like to support Nepal during this difficult period, I would be grateful if you could circulate the information among your networks. Contributions can be made through the official Prime Minister's Disaster Relief Fund using the following link: https://pmdrf.nchl.com.np

Every contribution, regardless of its size, can help support the affected communities as they begin the long road toward recovery.

Thank you once again for your concern, solidarity, and willingness to help. It means a great deal to us at this difficult time.”

ISP is deeply concerned and willing to support our colleagues and friends!

Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund – Government of Nepal For contribution towards Nepal’s Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund through SWIFT Transfer from your bank, kindly use the below mentioned bank details. Details can be copied directly.

On 4–8 May, ISP had the pleasure of hosting a delegation from Strathmore University, Kenya 🇰🇪, consisting of 50 lecturers and students from the Statistics and Data Analysis programme. The delegation was headed by ISP graduate Elvice Ongonga.

During the visit, the delegation met researchers and representatives from several Swedish universities and research environments:

• 4–5 May: Uppsala University — including the Department of Statistics, SciLifeLab, and Uppsala Forum for Africa Studies
• 6 May: Linköpings universitet, including a visit to the Science Park
• 7 May: Mälardalens universitet
• 8 May: KTH Royal Institute of Technology

The delegation also visited the Embassy of Kenya in Sweden

In Uppsala, part of the delegation participated in the conference Research Opportunities at the Intersection of Society, Life Sciences, and Technology, organised by SciLifeLab.

The visit provided opportunities for academic exchange, discussions on higher education and research, and strengthened connections between Swedish and African universities.

The ISP-supported math network CoRE-Math is offering 6-8 fully funded fellowships for PhD students, postdocs, and senior researchers to spend up to 3 months at Uppsala University, Sweden 🇸🇪, in 2026.

Applications from women researchers are strongly encouraged.

Deadline: May 15.

Read more👇🏼

Warm congratulations to Dr Chansopheakra Sovann from RUPP - Royal University of Phnom Penh Cambodia 🇰🇭 who successfully defended his PhD thesis “Ecosystem services from a tropical forest landscape in Southeast Asia: Assessing impacts of land-use and land-cover changes” at Lund University Sweden 🇸🇪 in early March.

Dr Sovann was a PhD student in the Sida - Styrelsen för Internationellt Utvecklingssamarbete bilateral research programme in Cambodia, but when the programme ended in December 2024 ISP took over the responsibility for the remaining PhD students.

From ISP Laureate to Director General: A Journey of Scientific Excellence and Leadership

ISP at Uppsala University warmly congratulates Professor Jérémie Thouakesseh Zoueu on his appointment as Director General of the Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d'Ivoire. 🇨🇮

This appointment represents a moment of pride for ISP and a powerful illustration of the ISP mission: supporting talented scientists from low- and middle-income countries to become leaders in science, education, and research governance.

A journey rooted in public education and scientific curiosity:
Professor Zoueu’s story begins in the public education system of Côte d’Ivoire, where early curiosity for nature, mechanics, and electronics shaped his interest in science. Like many young Africans, he learned through observation, experimentation, and creativity—often using limited resources to explore complex ideas.

His academic excellence led him through some of the most selective scientific pathways in Côte d’Ivoire: from the Lycée Scientifique de Yamoussoukro to elite preparatory classes in mathematics and physics, and later to advanced university studies in physics. These foundations prepared him for an international scientific career grounded in rigor and perseverance.

Advanced training and international research excellence:
After completing his undergraduate and Master’s degrees in physics in Côte d’Ivoire, Professor Zoueu pursued advanced training in France 🇫🇷, earning a Master of Science and a PhD in laser physics and applications. His doctoral and post-doctoral work, conducted in world-class laboratories, focused on laser engineering, optical instrumentation, and advanced materials—fields at the frontier of modern science and technology.

Returning to serve, building capacity, and shaping institutions:
Rather than remaining abroad, Professor Zoueu made a deliberate choice to return to Côte d’Ivoire, where he joined the National Polytechnic Institute Félix Houphouët-Boigny (INP-HB). There, he built a distinguished career as an educator, researcher, and mentor, supervising numerous master’s and doctoral students and contributing to the development of strong research teams.

Over the years, he became deeply involved in scientific networks, institutional development, and research governance—areas where scientific excellence meets leadership and strategic vision.

ISP’s role - investing in people, enabling impact:
Throughout his career, Professor Zoueu has been part of the ISP community, benefiting from its philosophy of long-term, trust-based support to scientists with strong local commitment and international potential.

His trajectory—from ISP laureate to head of a major international research institution—embodies the impact ISP seeks to achieve: scientists empowered not only to produce knowledge, but also to lead institutions, influence policy, and inspire future generations.

Leading the Swiss Centre for Scientific Research in Côte d’Ivoire:
As Director General of CSRS, Professor Zoueu will lead one of the most respected research institutions in West Africa, with a strong international profile and a long tradition of excellence. His vision emphasises:
- scientific excellence and integrity,
modern, data-driven and accountable governance,
- strong international and regional partnerships, and research that delivers tangible benefits for society.
- A source of inspiration for the next generation

For ISP, this appointment is more than an individual success—it is a collective achievement and a message of hope. It demonstrates that sustained investment in scientific capacity, mentorship, and institutional trust can enable researchers from the Global South to reach the highest levels of scientific leadership.

ISP proudly celebrates Professor Zoueu’s achievement and looks forward to continued collaboration with him and the CSRS in advancing science for sustainable development in Africa and beyond!

Warm congratulations to Dr Sophany Phauk from RUPP - Royal University of Phnom Penh Cambodia🇰🇭, who last week successfully defended his PhD thesis “Primary and secondary symbionts: Symbiotic diversity of Auchenorrhyncha (Hemiptera) and their ecological interactions” at Uppsala University Sweden🇸🇪.

Dr Sophany was a PhD student in the Sida - Styrelsen för Internationellt Utvecklingssamarbete bilateral research programme in Cambodia, but when the programme ended in 2024 ISP took over the responsibility for the remaining PhD students.

Warm congratulations 🎉 to Dr Nana Coulibaly from USTTB Mali 🇲🇱, who successfully defended her PhD thesis on December 19. 👏👏👏👏

Dr Nana is part of the ISP supported physics group in Mali, and she has been sponsored by the ISP supported physics network in West Africa (AFSIN - African Spectral Imaging Network).

The ISP-supported RUPP - Royal University of Phnom Penh PhD graduates Dr Chanrith Phoeurk and Dr Laingshun Huoy visited ISP HQ last week. We were happy to meet one last time them before they head back to Cambodia 🇰🇭!

Photo from left: Anna Wallin (ISP), Dr Chanrith, Ulrika Kolsmyr (ISP), Dr Laingshun with her son, and Solomon Tesfalidet (ISP).