Condensed matter group holds 1-day RS-DFID

Abstract

The Condensed Matter group of the Department of Physics held a one day RS-DFID consortium workshop in Nairobi on 2nd February 2015 to discuss phase 2 bid after having won phase one worth £25000. The meeting comprised of Prof Jenny Nelson (UK Principal Investigator) of Imperial College London, Prof. Ernest van Dyke (South Africa Principal Investigator ) of Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, South Africa and Dr. Murape (Zimbabwe Principal Investigator) of National University of Science and Technology, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. The hosts were Prof. Bernard Aduda (CMG group leader and Kenya Principal investigator) and Dr. Justus Simiyu (CMG member and co-PI, Kenya). Dr. Dube Nokuthula, the UK co-PI participated via conference call as she was unable to travel to Nairobi.

The first bid comprised of scientific networking while the second phase comprise of five years support towards research collaboration. In the workshop, the participants presented their respective ongoing research programmes, the students involved and the equipment available. After deliberations, the team toured the Department of Physics and held discussions with the Chairman, Department of Physics and had the opportunity of a brief encounter with Prof. Lucy Irungu, the DVC Research and Extension who was giving a lecture at the Department. Prof Ernest later on interacted with some of the MSc students in Solid State Laboratory who were carrying out their research. During the interaction, the students talked about what research they were carrying out and the challenges and successes they have gone through while on the other hand Prof Ernest shared with them the areas of research he is heading at NMMU. He also hinted on possible collaboration with his university in capacity building through advanced University of Nairobi Solar Academy commonly known as T3 Solar academy.