News

By Special Correspondent, CMU

Dr. Makungu Marco Madirisha, a lecturer in the College of Natural and Applied Sciences (CoNAS) of the University of Dar es Salaam, has been awarded the prestigious coveted Make Our Planet Great Again (MOPGA) 2024 one-year Visiting Fellowship in France, set to commence in December 2024.

According to the information by Sylvie Brulatout-Conway, Deputy Director of External and Institutional Relations at Campus France, the fellowship will support Dr. Madirisha's groundbreaking research project titled “Synthesis of Geopolymer Binder for Hydrogen Wellbore Infrastructure: A Game-Changer for Sustainable and Resilient Hydrogen Storage”.

The distinguished fellowship is funded by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the French Ministry for Higher Education and Research and administered by Campus France. The LMDC Laboratoire Matériaux et Durabilité des Constructions at INSA Toulouse - Institut National des Sciences Appliquées Toulouse hosts the fellowship.  

“This opportunity not only highlights Dr. Madirisha's exceptional research capabilities but also underscores the University of Dar es Salaam's commitment to contributing to global scientific advancements”, said Prof. Nelson Boniface, UDSM Deputy Vice Chancellor-Research.

Advancing research on climate change

MOPGA programme, launched in June 2017 by the French government, is an international initiative designed to advance research on climate change, sustainability, and environmental innovation. It aims to attract international researchers, students, and entrepreneurs to France to work on projects addressing critical climate-related challenges.

“The initiative underscores France's leadership in climate action and its commitment to the Paris Agreement, fostering scientific contributions that tackle climate change issues identified by the Conference of the Parties (COP) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)”, noted the information about the programme.

As a key participant in COP meetings, Tanzania demonstrates a strong commitment to tackling global climate challenges. Dr. Madirisha's selection as a MOPGA fellow not only elevates his standing in the scientific community but also brings significant recognition to the University of Dar es Salaam and further showcases Tanzania's proactive role in international climate initiatives.

This achievement is particularly noteworthy as Dr. Madirisha, a lecturer in the Chemistry Department at CoNAS, is only the second Tanzanian scholar to receive this prestigious fellowship since its inception by the French President in 2018. The first Tanzanian to receive this fellowship was Dr. Makarius Itambu, of the UDSM College of Humanities (CoHU) for the year 2023.

This milestone marks a historic moment both for Dr. Madirisha and the University of Dar es Salaam, enhancing their potential and visibility on the global stage and highlighting their contributions to cutting-edge research in climate change and sustainability.

The University of Dar es Salaam celebrates this accomplishment as a testament to the excellence of its academic staff and their contributions to global scientific endeavors. Dr. Madirisha's success is expected to inspire future collaborations and enhance the university's reputation as a leading institution in addressing critical global issues.