January 15, 2026: ICGEB Director-General, Dr. Lawrence Banks, has signed the formal agreement between ICGEB and the African Institute for Capacity Development AICAD.
“The Agreement represents the latest outcome of the networking opportunities with AICAD for joint training and regulatory issues connected to trade,” Dr. Banks commented, “as well as for joint fellowships focusing on infectious diseases and agriculture for crop improvement and food security.”
The ICGEB-AICAD Short-Term Postdoctoral Fellowships call is now open for applications from Postdoctoral scientists from Africa to perform research work on biotechnology and related fields, including Health (Infectious Diseases and Non-Communicable Diseases), Sustainable Agriculture, Industrial Biotechnology, and Renewable Energy—applications by 31 March 2026.
The agreement stems from initial talks in Kampala between Elioda Tumwesigye, then Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation of Uganda, and Dr. Maria Luisa Fichera, ICGEB’s Chief Legal & Administration Officer.
Collaboration was welcomed to enhance outreach activities, advisory services, and programmes for women in science, as well as activities to regulate aspects of research. Translating policies into regulations and standards was on common ground with the Council for Science and Technology (UNCST), the Ministry of Research of Uganda.
Senior Presidential Advisor, Odreck Rwabwogo, had also confirmed the country’s interest in the training activities of the Biotechnology Development Unit at ICGEB.
