MARCAD investments : Inauguration of a Biotechnology Production Centre at the University of Yaounde I, Cameroon

In line with its vision of contributing to the capacity building of young internationally-competitive scientists and in the development of its partner institutions in West and Central Africa, MARCAD inaugurated a Production Centre on 18th October 2019, at the University of Yaounde 1 (UY1), Cameroon.

The inauguration was led by the Director of the programme, Prof Oumar Gaye. The event recorded the presence of students, MARCAD fellows and young researchers. It was organized in collaboration with the authorities of UY1, represented by the Director of the BTC, Prof JC Mbanya and the MARCAD PI in Cameroon, Prof Wilfred Mbacham.

One of the main aims of the MARCAD, through this investment,  is to contribute to a quality research environment at the UY1, and to the reduction of the difficulties linked with the adequacy of some necessary research infrastructure.

According to Prof Mbacham, the Production Centre will allow them to run a number of projects which hitherto would not be possible within the Biotechnology Center (BTC).

« A subject called Biomimetics was introduced this year at the University of Yaounde I, to make students harness a lot from nature for the appropriate management of diseases.  These approaches will benefit from the existence of such a centre.  Because of the involvement of MARCAD, the University is investing in the renovation of the main building to meet up with MARCAD standards of the Production Centre and will raise the right and left wing buildings to a second floor level.  The university is about to buy an incinerator for the BTC to accompany the use of microbes in molecular biology and pilot-production of biopharmaceuticals» said Prof Mbacham

In addition to the Production Centre, MARCAD has also endowed the University of Yaounde 1 with a teleconference room which facility allows that there is a class interaction with a wider audience of 50 persons should the need arise.

« A number of soft skill courses (Project Management, Project Development, Entrepreneurship, Diplomacy & Science, Communication,  Knowledge Translation and Scientific Writing) were taught as part of accompanying lectures to a group of 70 African students who benefited from a European Union grant.  These lectures were previously video taped and put online. With the coming of the teleconference centre, these and other lectures also taught internationally by the Director of the BTC Prof JC Mbanya, who is the immediate past president of the International Diabetes Federation and for which lectures had to go down to Douala, (250Km away).   These can now be taught here» explained MARCAD/Cameroon PI, Prof Mbacham.