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The year 2023 was another positive year in the programme’s effort to contribute toward the creation of a self-sustaining science base in Africa. Training workshops in LC-MS and NMR at the Kenya Hub continued to provide skills in this cutting-edge instrumentation to scientists from across Africa. More training courses in GC-MS and LC-MS and NMR will be taking place at the Hubs in 2024. Meanwhile, through its support for the Kenya Science and Engineering Schools Fair, the programme demonstrated its dedication to nurturing scientific talent and fostering a culture of innovation. Additionally, efforts to strengthen connections with Southern Africa and gather regional perspectives on scientific capacity building underscored PACN's commitment to inclusivity and collaboration.

Training courses in LC-MS and NMR in Nairobi, Kenya 

Training workshops on Liquid Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS), and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, held in Nairobi, Kenya, took centre stage. These courses equipped participants not only with theoretical and practical knowledge about these important analytical techniques but also with the skills to troubleshoot equipment. Proficiency in the use of such instrumentation, for the purposes of chemical analysis and structure determination, is indispensable to scientists in the continent given their focus on natural product and medicinal chemistry. Indeed, the courses attract many applications every year which indicates that the programme is catering to an acute need.

Nurturing Innovation: PACN’s 14th Year at the Kenya Science and Engineering Schools Fair

Our Pan Africa Chemistry Network (PACN) was proud to support the final of the Kenya Science and Engineering Fair, which was held in Kisumu City, in April 2023. The Fair, which was launched in 1962 by members of the then Kenya Science Teachers Association, is open to secondary school pupils throughout Kenya. Pupils submit projects in teams, under various categories from agriculture to computer science. This year’s national final, which came after a series of regional heats, was held at Kisumu Girls’ High School.

The PACN sponsored T-shirts and prizes for the Chemistry and Environmental Science categories, and the event was attended by PACN representative Dr. Solomon Derese. We have been proud to support the event over the last 14 years.

The event, a testament to fostering innovation, saw Oriwo Boys High School and Edmund Rice Secondary School win awards for innovations in Chemistry and Environmental Science respectively, which included a practical method for the production of bioethanol from the hyacinth plant. They received cash prizes from the RSC, as well as some periodic tables and stationery. PACN has supported the event since 2008 through donations.

Strengthening PACN’s Southern Africa Connections

PACN is seeking to strengthen its connections with Southern Africa, and to that end, its representatives Erick Awas and Dr. Solomon Derese attended the 20^th International Symposium on Natural Products organized by the Natural Products Research Network for Eastern and Central Africa (NAPRECA), in Harare, Zimbabwe in September 2023. The event served as an opportunity for PACN to have conversations with scientists about the region’s specific needs and how the PACN programme can tailor its activities to those needs through its broad range of activities, reinforcing its commitment to inclusivity.

Regional Perspectives on Capacity-Building: PACN holds a focus group meeting on scientific capacity building

PACN partnered with colleagues from RSC’s Policy and Evidence Team for a focus group meeting in Nairobi with scientists from the Kenya Hub about scientific capacity building. The meeting obtained regional perspectives and insights on meaningful capacity building for scientists in Africa within the context of an upcoming UN Science Policy Panel (SPP) on chemicals, waste and pollution. RSC is seeking to build up a geographically diverse and inclusive Engagement Group on the SPP, so that the perspectives of scientists in the continent can be expressed during the Panel’s deliberations.