Menu

Leading young scientists from around the world are meeting Germany´s sustainability researchers from 16 to 27 October, 2017. The tour is part of the programme of the Green Talents Award, which honours talented young researchers. The Award is being conferred under the patronage of the German Research Minister, Professor Johanna Wanka, for the ninth time.

There is one Nigerian scientist in this year’s cohort: Chukwuebuka Christopher Okolo. He is a PhD student in Soil Science at Mekelle University, Ethiopia. He is researching soil carbon sequestration under different land uses.

Chukwuebuka’s research interest centres on the accurate quantification of soil carbon in relation to climate change. He aims to provide framework information towards the understanding of carbon capture, distribution and transfer.

Soil carbon is vital for supporting ecosystems and improving soil productivity, and its effective management boosts sustainable use. By increasing the levels of soil organic carbon in degraded soils, CO2 emissions will be sequestered and water capture enhanced.

Other African researchers that made the list are: Precious Akampumuza, Megan Lukas, Eyram Norgbey, and Ahmed Zakaria Hafez Mohammed. Precious is a Ugandan PhD student in Sustainability Science. His research focuses on the effect of climate change on incidences of infectious diseases in Eastern Africa at the Tokyo University, Japan.

Megan is a South African PhD student in Environmental Geographical Science, with research focus in human connection to the environment at the University of Cape Town, South Africa.

Eyram is a Ghanaian MSc student in Environmental Science and Engineering, with research focus on the use of industrial waste lignin as a partial replacement of asphalt binder for sustainable road construction, at the Hohai University, China; while Ahmed, Egyptian, is a PhD Candidate in Civil Engineering. His research interest is on energy saving, energy systems analysis, and sustainable technology at the University of Nottingham, United Kingdom.

The Award provides young researchers with a platform for sharing their views on green concepts to make the world a better place. A high-ranking jury of experts selected 25 up-and-coming scientists out of 602 applicants from over 95 countries. Their prize is one of the treasured tickets to the “Green Talents – International Forum for High Potentials in Sustainable Development.”

This year’s focus is on “Sustainable Production and Consumption”. The two-week science tour will provide the Green Talents with insights into the German research landscape and with the opportunity to meet leading experts and visit some of the most renowned research institutions in the focus area.

By establishing contacts with the science community and exchanging ideas with its key innovators, the winners will be able to lay the foundations for future cooperation. Their efforts are supported by the invitation to return to Germany in 2018 for a fully-funded research stay at an institution of their choice.

The festive award ceremony will be held on 27 October 2017 at the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Berlin.