I am of the sincere opinion that the JR Biotek Foundation-Cambridge training is a package which is highly expository, educative, interesting and stimulating. It has broadened my vision and developed my mind. The training was very useful and comprehensive and has generally improved my understanding and knowledge of molecular techniques.

It has also helped me bridge the gap between theoretical and practical knowledge of basic molecular techniques. I can comfortably apply what I have learnt in my research and other areas of plant breeding. The training also gave me an opportunity to meet and network with established researchers in the UK and young scientists from different regions of Africa.

I felt honored to be one of the training participants. I was able to lay my hands on world class biotechnology techniques that I had been hearing and dreaming about. I also had the opportunity to meet with great scientists which is of huge benefit to my career.
The cry of African women was also heard with solutions from experts. The workshop was a solution oriented one. Thank you JR Biotek Foundation for the opportunity offered. I wish to cross your path again.

I appreciate the passion of the initiator towards ensuring development of scientific research in Africa, and offering platforms for possible future collaboration with a high ranking University like Cambridge.

Thank you for the brilliant workshop that we attended at the Department of Plant Sciences, Cambridge University. It was very informative, well-presented and enjoyable. I learned so much from this workshop that will assist me in my workplace. Introducing a lecture on leadership was very wonderful, and the NextGen Africa Bioinnovation pitching competition was a very good idea to exchange different ideas amongst the trainees.

I wish to express my sincere gratitude for the contribution made by all of you making this training one of the best I have ever had. Thank you so much for your gracious hospitality and all of your assistance with the training. Your advices as mentors were valuable for me.

Participating in the Molecular Laboratory Training Workshop organized by JR Biotek Foundation in the Department of Plant Sciences at the University Cambridge exposed me to modern molecular techniques that greatly improve research output. The opportunity helped me to also appreciate modern but simple procedures such as different DNA extraction methods that can be used in developing countries where resources are scarce.

It reminded me that research requires a passion and patience to pursue an objective that may take long to be achieved. Being trained for the second time under the initiative of JR Biotek Foundation, the training provided me with the social skills and confidence to put myself out there to contribute to the development of the society. I was motivated to take part in similar trainings to transmit the acquired skills and knowledge to my colleagues and other students.
At the African Diaspora Biotech Summit I learnt that an idea can be as small as a mustard seed but can gradually grow into a fruitful tree. Many conceived ideas have turned into very impactful projects due to developed interest, persistence and resilience. I am hopeful that the bioinnovation idea ‘Biofertilizers for Africa’ presented by Jacob Ulzen and I will grow to greater heights.

Generally, I was challenged to put myself out there and interact with people to form connections that may be useful, following the example set by Ms. Carol Ibe, Founder of JR Biotek Foundation and Dr. Amara Anyogu, Editor and Co-Founder of aspiringprofessionalshub.com. Thank you BBRSC for the scholarship!

The molecular training workshop and the summit was a world class programme, well organized and well executed. Although, I had knowledge in biotechnology, the workshop was an eye opener with regards to emerging methods and tools in modern molecular technology. The practical session was phenomenal. It allowed the participants to conduct hands-on lab experiments with supervision from instructors. I must confess that it is now easier for me to interpret molecular results from published articles.

Since arriving in Ghana, I have introduced some of the new and affordable methods of DNA extraction which I learnt in Cambridge to the biotechnology laboratory in my department at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana. I am looking forward to sharing the knowledge that I acquired from the workshop with friends and colleagues who need help in these areas.

Far more exciting was the opportunity to meet top scientists from different backgrounds during the workshop. Learning from them was a priceless experience for a young scientist like myself, and I wouldn’t trade that for anything.

Apart from gaining practical experience, I also learnt new and better ways of communicating scientific information using pictures and videos. I participated in the NextGen Africa Bioinnovation pitching competition where I had the opportunity to pitch my innovative idea before a panel of judges and a big audience at the African Diaspora Biotech Summit. The experience was magnificent. It helped build my confidence and that of the other participants, especially as it was the first time I had done something of that sort. I encourage the organizers to keep it up.

Finally, the leadership workshop gave me a new insight on how to manage things and how to deal with colleagues. Overall, the time I spent in Cambridge’s Department of Plant Sciences was worth it in terms of my academics and social life. I am particularly grateful to the organizers for giving me the opportunity to be part of such academic exercise and to all our knowledgeable and insightful facilitators and speakers for sharing their experience.