ETH4D News
All stories by Alexandra Hees
Bridging Gaps in Assistive Technology: An Interview with Robotics Student Fellow 2024 Gloria Edumaba Graham
Gloria Edumaba Graham, a Master's student at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, focuses on developing assistive technology for people with visual and mobility impairments. After participating in the ETH Robotics Student Fellowship, she shares her experiences and thoughts on the value of international collaboration in robotics.
KNUST Students Share Summer School Experiences in Zurich
Over the last few months, ETH4D has facilitated the participation of engineering Master’s students from our partner university KNUST in Ghana in different ETH summer schools. Now that the summer is coming to a close, we asked them to share some reflections on their experiences.
KNUST Students Join ETH Summer Schools
Since 2020, ETH4D has been collaborating with Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Ghana, to educate the next generation of leaders in global sustainable development. This year, we welcomed eight KNUST students in Switzerland, who participated in various ETH and IDEA League summer schools in Zurich and Geneva.
AMBITION's Final Sustainable Innovation School Successfully Concludes in Delft
The AMBITION project’s final Sustainable Innovation School in Delft brought together doctoral students from Europe and Africa between 27-31 May, 2024, for a week of interdisciplinary workshops and field visits, focusing on the governance of just and sustainable urban transitions.
Internships with Helvetas in Tanzania and Mozambique
Swiss NGO Helvetas offers two 6-months internship positions for ETH students in Tanzania and Mozambique working on "Sustainable Charcoal Production & Pyrolysis Technology" and "Skills Development" starting in September 2024.
Joint PhD Honours Programme between European and African Universities Launched in Nairobi
Since November 2023, five IDEA League universities have been working together with KNUST in Ghana and Strathmore University in Kenya to train doctoral candidates to become ambassadors for a sustainable transition. The AMBITION programme brings together an international group of 36 doctoral candidates from various disciplines to collaborate on issues of global sustainable development in Europe and Africa.
Call for Applications: Seasonal School "Accelerating SDG 6 in Sub-Saharan Africa"
Applications are open for the seasonal school taking place in Switzerland from 6-20 April 2024. The school will bring together doctoral students and experts from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana, and Swiss Universities to facilitate a dialogue on how can we reach scale for the UN Water Action Agenda.
Special Call: Social Impact Pioneer Fellowship in fall 2023
The new Social Impact Pioneer Fellowship will support ETH students and researchers in developing their research-based technologies into viable products and services with a social impact that benefit people in low- and middle-income countries.
Research Brief: Microbial Water Quality in On-Site Sewage Treatment Plants in Bengaluru
In a new Research Brief, Eva Reynaert and Eberhard Morgenroth from the Institute for Environmental Engineering at ETH Zurich and the Process Engineering Department at Eawag explain how the use of sensors and automated chlorination can improve microbial water quality in on-site water reuse systems for increased user safety.
Apply now for the new Honours Programme for Doctoral Students from Europe and Africa
ETH doctoral students can now apply for the new Honours Programme in Sustainable Transitions, offered by five European universities, KNUST in Ghana and Strathmore University in Kenya.
Curious students, heated debates and new learnings – An interview about tutoring at AIMS Rwanda
ETH Doctoral Student Alexander Nedergaard worked as a teaching assistant at the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) in Rwanda for three months. In this interview, he talks about the intensive time with his students, the welcoming atmosphere at AIMS, and what he learned during his stay.
Public Seminar: "The New International Poverty Line" on 3 November
An upcoming seminar with Dr. Samuel Kofi Tetteh-Baah, economist at the World Bank, will focus on how the international poverty line is determined and what its recent increase means for global poverty.
ETH4D Community Featured in Uplift Magazine
The current issue of Uplift Magazine by the ETH Zurich Foundation focuses on sustainable development. The issue features several projects and programmes of the ETH4D community.
Career Lunch: Students discussed careers in sustainability & global development
In the spring semester, we invited five experienced professionals from various fields, who are committed to making an impact on people's lives or the environment through their work. They shared their experience and advice on careers in sustainability and global development with a crowd of more than 50 ETH students during the second edition of our SDG Career Panel.
Working at Bühler in Nairobi: Stéphanie Ruch shares her experience as an intern
We talked to Stéphanie Ruch about her internship at Bühler Nairobi. Besides gaining in-depth knowledge on milling technology, she dedicated her laboratory work to the identification of a composite flour suitable for the Kenyan market. She shares her insights on working on this project and her most memorable impressions of living in Nairobi.
Seminar: Food Security Strategies for a Changing World
An upcoming seminar with food systems expert Chris Barrett will focus on how successful transformation of our food system will require the combination of accelerated technological change with a range of policy, institutional and cultural innovations.
ETH Projects "Breathe" and "Diaxxo" Participate in SASBI Africa Residency Programme
"Breathe" and "Diaxxo" are among ten Swiss startups that participate in the SASBI Africa Residency Programme. The programme supports entrepreneurs to spend time in Ghana, Nigeria, Rwanda, Kenya, or South Africa to boost their know-how and advance growth opportunities.
Two Weeks Dedicated to the Sustainable Development Goals at ETH Zurich
As part of the Sustainability Week Zurich 2022, ETH4D, together with other ETH units, researchers and students, organised the exhibition and event programme "Together for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)" in March 2022.
Solar Public Lights: An Alternative Solution for Informal Settlements
A recent project by ETH researchers, together with partners from South Africa, has examined the impact of improved public lighting on the life of residents of informal settlements in Cape Town. Wall-mounted solar public lights may be an effective and sustainable alternative to the high-mast lighting currently in use.
Ashesi-ETH Master in Mechatronics: Meet Two Students from Cameroon and Ghana
Since the beginning of the year, ETH Zurich and Ashesi University in Ghana, together with industry partners, are offering a master's programme in mechatronics engineering taught in Ghana by faculty of both institutions. 26 students from across Africa have made it through the selection process. In this interview, two of them, Miyang and Theophilus, talk about their motivation and expectations of the programme.
ETH4D General Assembly
On 1st December 2021, ETH for Development (ETH4D) held its General Assembly which gathered members and the leadership of various ETH units including ETH Sustainability and Nadel - Center for Development and Cooperation, amongst others, which are part of the ETH-wide initiative on global sustainable development. The achieved milestones of 2021 and the growing activities and plans for the following years were shared by the team of the Executive Office.
First ETH4D Research Challenges Seminar
This year, for the first time, the ETH4D Research Challenges Seminar took place, where ETH researchers working with partners in low-income countries and practitioners from NGOs and industry presented a variety of innovative projects that address pressing global challenges.
Exhibition Opening: Together for the SDGs
- World food system
- International development
On 3 November 2021, more than 80 guests celebrated the opening of the exhibition "Together for the SDGs" in the main hall of ETH Zurich. They listened to inspiring speeches by ETH Rector Prof. Sarah Springman, Nicolas Radin, Frank Odhiambo and Prof. Isabel Günther and took the opportunity to discuss with ETH researchers and students committed to the Sustainable Development Goals.
Together for the SDGs: Exhibition and Events
How can we fight global poverty and inequality, protect the planet and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity? Together for the SDGs is an exhibition and event programme at ETH Zurich that raises awareness and inspires action for the Sustainable Development Goals. From 30 October - 13 November.
Interview: Breathe and Diaxxo develop innovative technologies for global health
At this year's Industry Day, two projects from the ETH4D network presented their innovative technologies for global health - "breathe", a low-cost ventilator and "peakPCR", a fast PCR testing device.
Interview: Antoinette van der Merwe on artisanal mining in Burkina Faso
While most of the world’s gold is extracted by industrial mines, about 20 percent is produced by millions of artisanal miners trying to make a living by mining gold with only basic tools and methods. This includes the use of toxic chemicals like mercury. In this interview, Antoinette van der Merwe talks about her research into miners’ knowledge of working with mercury and use of protective gear in Burkina Faso.
Applications Open: Summer School 2021 "Rethinking Waste"
In collaboration with Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology (KNUST) in Ghana, we will hold a summer school on sustainable solid waste management in September 2021. The ETH Sustainability Summer School "Rethinking Waste" offers a unique learning experience: theoretical and practical knowledge gained via scientific presentations, workshops and group work. Applications for tutors and participants are now open.
New Episode: Nadel Podcast "1,90 pro Tag" on migration and working in crisis areas
Manuela Ernst, head of the Social Integration and Migration Department at the Swiss Red Cross, is a guest on the latest episode of the Nadel Podcast "1,90 pro Tag" and discusses migration, trauma and working in crisis areas.
African Leadership for a Sustainable Future: Stories to Inspire
Join us at the storytelling event “African Leadership for a Sustainable Future: Stories to Inspire”, co-hosted by ETH4D and the African Students Association of Zurich (ASAZ) on 12 March, 17:00-18:15 CET (on Zoom).
We welcome Dr. Elizabeth Tilley as Associate Professor of Global Health Engineering
Dr. Elizabeth Tilley has been appointed Associate Professor of Global Health Engineering in the Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering. With this new professorship, ETH invests in the new field of global engineering science, which seeks to provide technical innovations to improve living conditions for everyone.
ETH Zurich, EPFL, and the ICRC leverage science and technology to address humanitarian challenges
ETH Zurich, EPFL, and the ICRC are launching the Engineering Humanitarian Action partnership to harness technology for the benefit of humanitarian action. We are pleased to announce that six research projects have been awarded funding to address pressing humanitarian challenges.
Film Screening and Discussion: iHuman at the Human Rights Film Festival Zurich on 6 December
ETH4D, together with ICT4Peace Foundation and the Geneva International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights, presented iHuman at this years' Human Rights Film Festival Zurich on December 6 at 8:30 pm. The film screening at Kosmos was followed by a panel discussion (in German).
Meet Theodora Sophia Taylor
We would like to introduce you to Theodora Sophia Taylor, a visiting student from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, Ghana. Theodora is currently staying at EAWAG to study the potential of coconut husk powder for greywater treatment. Read more about Theodora and why she decided to come to Zurich for her research in this interview.
Livestream: Ashesi-ETH Master Programme Take-off Event
We look forward to celebrating the Ashesi-ETH Master in Engineering Programme initiative together with Ashesi University in Ghana and our industrial partners. We invite everyone to watch the livestream of the event on Tuesday, 13 October 2020 from 15:30 to 17:00 CET.
ETH Podcast features ETH4D
In the new episode of the ETH Podcast, Churchill Agutu, ETH Doctoral Student at the Energy Politics Group, and ETH4D Executive Director Dr. Adina Rom discuss how to leverage science and technology for global sustainable development.
AI for Sustainability: ETH meets Digital Festival Zurich
World food system
Artificial Intelligence holds great promise to contribute to a more sustainable future. At the “AI for Sustainability” session at this year’s Digital Festival Zurich, the audience heard experts from ETH Zurich and industry explain how they use AI to solve global challenges. In smaller group discussions, participants could ask questions and exchange ideas.
Congratulations! Dr. Michelle Nay has won the SFIAR PhD Award
Dr. Michelle Nay, a former E4D Doctoral Scholarship fellow, has won the SFIAR PhD Award for her project "Improving smallholder farmers’ food security through disease resistant common beans".
Stay Safe: ETH researchers, together with the IFRC, co-develop a guide for safety and health on reconstruction sites
Researchers from the Chair of Sustainable Construction, together with colleagues from the IFRC-Shelter Research Unit, developed guidelines for safety and health on small post-disaster reconstructions. The guide covers a diverse range of information, addressing project managers, professional staff, local staff, and volunteers, and it aims to provide the basic knowledge to protect the workers on site.
Meet Shafiur Rahaman
We would like to introduce you to Shafiur Rahaman, a Research Project Manager for Eawag in the Rohingya refugee camps at Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh. Shafiur is coordinating the project activities of the ETH4D Research Challenge “Community governance of emergency sanitation” in the field. The project examines the governance structure of sanitation interventions and tests innovative community-based monitoring of sanitation systems.
Launch your start-up with the Pioneer Fellowship!
Entrepreneurial master students, doctoral candidates and post-docs can apply for the next round of the Pioneer Fellowship by 1 September 2020. ETH4D offers support for projects that serve people in low- and middle-income countries. Get in touch with us!
Meet the grantees of the Special COVID-19 Research Challenges
We are pleased to announce two grantees of the Special Covid-19 call, which supports research projects that address the negative impact of infectious diseases on the African continent. One project assesses the impact of iron deficiency anemia on vaccine efficacy in Kenya and the other project studies how to optimise the logistics preparedness for disease outbreaks in Uganda.
An inspiring career with global impact
Dr. Gnanli Landrou grew up in a clay house in Togo. Today he combines know-how from his home country with what he learned in his doctoral degree at ETH to develop a building material for the future: cement-free concrete that is both eco-friendly and low-cost. His story is just one of many illustrating why embracing and encouraging diversity is key for the success of any forward-looking institution that wants to excel in innovation.
Swiss involvement in colonialism
While Switzerland never had colonies, it was still involved in colonial practices and discourse and benefited economically from colonialism. In the NZZ, ETH4D member Professor Harald Fischer-Tiné discusses the involvement of Swiss players in the colonial business, the role of historians in current debates, and the ability of postcolonial studies to help us understand ideas, values and linguistic relics from the colonial past that still shape contemporary society.
Call for Bridging Grants with Asian countries
The Leading House Asia launches a call for Bridging Grants with China, Japan, South Korea and members states of ASEAN to establish existing collaborations between Swiss scientists and their collaborating partners.
Researchers and NGOs discuss COVID-19-related innovations
Several ETH research groups are currently developing medical equipment that could also benefit low- and middle-income countries in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. Since collaboration between academia and practitioners is essential when developing technologies for low resource settings, researchers and representatives of Swiss NGOs discussed how their research can contribute to addressing pressing challenges in developing countries related to COVID-19.
Prof. Rachael Garrett elected to the Scientific Steering Committee of the Global Land Programme
In June, ETH4D member Prof. Rachael Garrett will join the Scientific Steering Committee of the Global Land Programme. The responsibilities of the committee include exploring and promoting new directions in land system science, carrying out scientific synthesis, connecting the Global Land Programme to other science and policy communities, and providing overall guidance.