The African Doctoral Academy (ADA) is thrilled to announce the return of its annual flagship event, the ADA Hybrid Summer School, which will run from 22 January to 7 February 2025.
A Year of Impactful Growth and Collaboration
2024 has been a remarkable year for the ADA, marked by impactful initiatives, thriving collaborations, and the successful hosting of its highly anticipated Summer and Winter Schools. These events brought together over 350 participants from across the African continent, including Botswana, Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, and Zimbabwe. Delegates from diverse academic backgrounds benefited from 30 expertly curated courses designed to equip doctoral candidates, supervisors, and researchers with essential skills.
Notable guests this year included representatives from the PERIPERI-U network and the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) Centre of Excellence in Energy, underscoring the ADA’s commitment to fostering academic excellence and collaboration.
Bridging Borders with Free Master Classes
The ADA's Master Class Webinar Series continues to empower African scholars, providing free, high-quality academic support. In 2024 alone, eight Master Classes were held, drawing an impressive 1,300 participants from across Africa and beyond. These sessions have become a lifeline for doctoral researchers, offering insights into topics like effective research methods and academic writing.
Mark your calendars for the next Master Class on 27 November 2024, titled 'Mapping Academic Mindsets in the Age of Generative AI'—an exciting exploration of how AI is shaping the future of academia.
Innovative Collaborations and Strategic Workshops
This year, the ADA partnered with leading organizations to deliver impactful programs:
- Grant Writing for Scholars: In collaboration with PERIPERI-U and the Climate Adaptation Research Program (CARP), the ADA offered grant-writing courses in both English and French, alongside a CARP webinar to help researchers transition from theses to published articles.
- Energy Research Focus: Partnering with the Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies (CRSES) and ARUA’s Centre of Excellence in Energy, the ADA organized workshops on academic publishing and entrepreneurship in renewable energy. These sessions culminated in a thought-provoking panel discussion during the Southern African Sustainable Energy Conference (SASEC) 2024 pre-event.
Looking Ahead to 2025
As we gear up for the ADA Summer School 2025, we extend heartfelt thanks to our presenters, guest speakers, delegates, and alumni who have made 2024 an extraordinary year. We can’t wait to welcome you to another exciting season of learning, networking, and academic growth.
For more details on ADA Schools and our Master Class Webinar Series, visit our website or follow us on social media. Questions? Reach us at adainfo@sun.ac.za.
Join us in 2025 for another transformative chapter with the ADA!
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