Our Alumni Work in Africa
The focus countries of KAAD are spread across four regions, each of which has a KAAD partner committee that represents KAAD affairs and plays an important role in the process of pre-selecting applicants. In West Africa the focus country is Ghana , in the Horn of Africa it is Ethiopia and in southern Africa the focus is on Zimbabwe . In East Africa there is a partner committee in the focus country Kenya , but the two neighbouring countries Uganda and Tanzania are also in focus. Corresponding with the four focus regions in Africa, there are also four networks for current scholars and alumni of KAAD: KASWA (KAAD Association of Scholars from West Africa) has three chapters in Ghana: Northern, Middle and Southern Chapters. KASEA (KAAD Association of Scholars from East Africa) also has three chapters in East Africa: Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda Chapters. KASHA (KAAD Association of Scholars from the Horn of Africa) is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and KASSA (KAAD Association of Scholars from Southern Africa) in Harare, Zimbabwe. Over time, the alumni themselves and their networks have created many cross-connections in the academic world and in the respective societies: high management positions at universities, important positions in politics (head of national authorities, ministries or regions), founding and management of NGOs. The special constellation of the KAAD networks (unusual for African societies) is in the interaction between “young and old”. Established alumni, some of whom are in high positions, come together with scholars who are just completing their master's degree and are still at the beginning of their careers. This creates a cross-generational solidarity network where members support one another but also challenge one another in discussions and inquiries. Above all, the annual seminars of the networks KASWA, KASEA, KASHA and KASSA enable this exchange, as they always include the aspect of being on the road together. They take place at changing university locations and therefore always have ‘hosts’ and ‘visitors’ from the KAAD network. Excursions to interesting places are combined with presentations/lectures and lively discussions. Within this thematic work, some of the main areas covered are education (organisation, access and content) and leadership (political, economic, academic). Ecological issues and the future of health care in African countries are also high on the agenda.
EthiopiaMekdem Tesfamichael
Psychologist Dr. Mekdem Tesfamichael Hassen is helping to establish a counseling center in Addis Ababa designed to provide support to people dealing with trauma, substance use, and other everyday stressors. She is also a member of our partner committee in Ethiopia.
KenyaConstansia Mumma
Dr. Constansia Mumma-Martinon, a peace and conflict researcher from Kenya, is a lecturer at the University of Nairobi and is actively involved in reconciliation efforts in her home country.
EthiopiaElias Lewi Teklemariam
-Ing. Elias Lewi Teklemariam had excellent prospects for a career in Europe or North America. Nevertheless, he returned to Ethiopia in 2005.
KenyaSelasi Awusi Sosu
Selasi Awusi Sosu, from the renowned Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana, has made a name for herself primarily as a freelance artist. At the 58th Biennale , themed “May you live in interesting times,” she was able to exhibit her critical works.
KenyaEddy Okoth Odari
In his research, virologist Dr. Eddy Okoth Odari focused primarily on developing simple HIV testing methods, a project of great importance for use in Africa.
UgandaProscovia Namubiru Ssentamu
Proscovia Namubiru Ssentamu is one of many African KAAD scholarship recipients who have discovered the University of Bayreuth as an outstanding academic institution. The university’s long-standing tradition of engagement with Africa provides excellent conditions for research on African topics, particularly in the social sciences.
ZimbabweGeorgina Maxim
Georgina Maxim , together with her husband, KAAD alumnus Misheck Masamvu , founded the Village Unhu Center, a collective dedicated to supporting emerging artists that has had a vibrant and lasting impact on Zimbabwe’s art scene in recent years.
