The early detection challenge of cervical cancer will be addressed through the development of a low-cost, point-of-care (PoC) device that has the potential to improve clinical outcomes for patients in both developed and developing countries while overcoming key barriers linked to screening uptake and limited infrastructure, which has impeded progress till date. Cervical cancer caused by certain genotypes of human papillomavirus (HPV) is the fourth most frequent cancer among women globally with approximately 570,000 new cases diagnosed in 2018; where 90% of deaths reported in low and middle-income countries are linked to limited prevention, screening, and treatment options. The mortality rate was estimated at 6.7 per 100 000 women in Europe compared to global mortality rate of 6.8 per 100 000 women. Vaccination and screening have the potential to reduce the incidence rate of cervical cancer to 4 per 100 000 women globally. Recently, the uptake of cytology-based screening has fallen below the 80% standard due to concerns about the sampling collection procedure and cultural barriers, among others. Recent advances in personalized medicine and biosensing technologies has influenced the paradigm shift to PoC diagnostics from cytology-based screening and HPV testing that require advanced instrumentation, centralized laboratories, and experienced operators. However, few PoC devices have been translated from research laboratories to clinical use, due to overcoming challenges including low levels of sensitivity and specificity in clinical samples, system integration and signal readout requirements. Currently, there are no World Health Organisation prequalified PoC tests for HPV detection. We therefore now propose an interdisciplinary UK-South Africa partnership bringing together researchers from chemistry, engineering, biomedical science, and medicine necessary to develop rapid PoC diagnostic tools. Our collaborative research approach will allow us to develop nanomaterials-based signal amplifiers and redox tags that are compatible with molecular (i.e., proteins and DNA) biosensing platform used in PoC diagnostics for early detection of high-risk HPV-16 and HPV-18 genotypes with improved sensitivity, specificity, and low detection time (< 10 minutes). The electrochemical sensing layer will be developed using low-cost and readily available minerals such as manganese, copper, and titanium. Through this approach of PoC testing via electrochemical sensing; low-cost PoC testing for high-risk genotypes can be incorporated into population screening. In summary, this interdisciplinary partnership seeks to facilitate the early detection of high-risk HPV genotypes, especially in both developing and developed countries with limited infrastructure and declining uptakes rates, respectively, while improving health and well-being which is the third UN Sustainable Goal.

More than 45% of Africa's population lives in isolated rural communities. Rural energy needs have been met by biomass for many centuries, albeit in a traditional way, which is associated with high per capita fuel use / low thermal efficiency, health risks (smoke inhalation and fire risks), and natural deforestation due to the use of harvested wood as the primary fuel. In addition, over 70% of rural areas in Africa do not have adequate access to electricity. Therefore, there is an urgent need for an affordable smart energy device that can provide electricity and cook/heat to support grid independence and self-sufficiency. The project is thus aiming at the development of a Smart Home Energy (SHE) technology and to demonstrate the user effectiveness and impact in rural communities in South Africa and Uganda. The SHE device will be based on an existing portable micro-gasifier cookstove which is used with compressed wood pellets, the currently available best performing cookstove regarding CO emissions. This basic stove concept for wood pellets was developed by Ekasi Energy together with TU Graz using a combined experimental approach and extensive CFD analyses. In this project the innovative SHE concept is developed addressing the main barriers that hinder the broad implementation of this technology, i.e. lack of electricity production and limits in fuel flexibility. This is achieved by combining for the first time: 1) Expanding fuel options to biomass pellets made from available agricultural residues and perennial energy crops as affordable and readily available fuels and burning these fuels in a manner that meets WHO cooking standards respectively with extremely low emissions and high efficiency. 2) Integrating a thermoelectric generator to generate electricity and connecting it to a solar panel and battery to power small appliances and lamps grid-independently. 3) Integration of a smart low-tech method to track CO2 emissions based on a database of relevant fuels to monitor the heat and electricity generated by the SHE unit and an algorithm that correlates this with fuel and CO2 savings. The project work will be carried out through numerical and experimental research in the laboratory at TRL 3 & 4, followed by adaptations to local conditions, field tests and demonstrations under relevant local African conditions (TRL 5 & 6 (7)). It will further investigate and propose business models for deployment based on a socio-economic analysis of the targeted regions. The results of the user feedback from demonstrations will be compared against a baseline study of the socio-economic conditions that exist and the expected impact of the SHE device will also be evaluated, accompanied by system optimizations. As a result, we will have the unique SHE technology as an affordable energy solution for the poorest with the following advantages: a) Reducing deforestation by substituting wood as fuel with fuels from energy crops and agricultural residues, which are sufficiently available in most African countries. b) Minimizing health risks by eliminating harmful emissions from incomplete combustion, c) Improve gender equality: By growing short rotation crops, women can meet their own energy needs, in addition to growing subsistence crops for food consumption. d) A hybrid and flexible energy approach of electricity generation from two sources (Solar Panel and TEG) that complement each other in different climate, weather and local conditions. e) A low-tech carbon tracking database for earning carbon credits to subsidize the device cost for rural users with little real disposable income. Lastly, various sustainable business models for local fuel production and stove assembly will be evaluated to determine the viability of rural energy independence for cooking and electricity needs.

The overarching aim of the EURYDICE project is to increase students' employability in the field of renewable energies, on the basis of closer collaboration between university and industry. Industry often complains that practical experience of the graduates is missing. This lack can be found on all the layers of the education system in South Africa: vocational training, diploma studies, bachelor and master degrees as well as doctoral studies.Within this project we focus on renewable energies with the overall goal to enhance employability. The energy generation landscape in South Africa is undergoing a fundamental transition, as the vision of the energy strategy is to contribute to an affordable energy for all. Closing the gap between TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training Colleges) studies and diploma study by the definition of industrial experience requirements for University of Technology (UoT) diploma students. This leads to an increased preparedness and “studyability” of UoT diploma students. Industrial stakeholders will be integrated into the process. The project will develop an “Industrial Portal” as working tool. Increasing industrial experience in UoT bachelor education by the integration of practical experience into the curriculum. Within the project offered Fast-Track Acceleration program for graduates, enables students for a fast employment or starting a new enterprise in the field. To increase industry cooperation in post graduate education “OpenLabs” and “MobileLabs” are developed within the project. It is intended that industry brings industrial problems into the “Labs”, which will then be solved by the students.Workshops and summer schools guarantee that best-practices in defining and implementing the measures are being used, that input of all relevant stakeholders (i.e. South African students) is been taken into account.

Forestry is critically important in South Africa for two reasons: the production and processing of forestry resources has untapped potential for development in addressing the job creation crises and on the other hand forestry is a key leverage point for the global climate change challenge. In particular, entrepreneurs can develop next-generation opportunities to address these challenges in novel way. However, South African forestry graduates lack the 21st century key competences needed to think systematically, act entrepreneurially and to be experts of climate-smart forestry. Problem-based-learning (PBL) is a powerful research-based methodology that Aalto and HAMK have extensively used in international development efforts. PBL integrates the complexity of real-world problems into curricula implementation, and this helps students to create problem solving and critical thinking skills upon which the entrepreneur decision making rests. FOREST21 will capacitate HEIs in student-centered learning, in network-based learning ecosystem building and in practices of climate-smart forestry. FOREST21 undertakes PBL- and climate-smart forestry trainings and the methodology is piloted for contextualization through students’ field works. Each HEI will take a specific role: Aalto, INN and HAMK facilitate methodology, climate-smart forestry and institutional capacity building and INN leads the quality process. All South African forestry HEIs participate FOREST21 with their expertise and defined objectives and together develop PBL-FOREST21 Teacher Manual and establish PBL-FOREST21 Network for peer support and further development of the curricula and methods. All HEIs participate in the student field challenges. The results are disseminated throughout South Africa with facilitation of Associate Partners.

South Africa is a country that continues to fight with poverty, high levels of unemployment and inequality despite the fact that economic growth has slowed down in recent years. “Basic enablers” for Southern Africa's sustainable growth, employment creation and reducing income inequality are especially HE institutions with business enabling environment, education and skills as mentioned in the Strategy Paper of the country. Particularly, successful organization of engineering education is related to the increasing relevance of the issues that are directly reflected in South Africa's National Priorities. One of the greatest challenges Southern Africa is facing at the moment is the acute shortage of engineers. The White Paper (Dep. of HE&T, Nov. 2013) proposes the introduction of on-line learning as appropriate to increase access, enhance quality and improve throughput and success.Using the knowledge developed by all partners the output of the proposed project PEESA III are: a) Design of min. three (3) engineering degree programmes at Partner Country's HEIs aligned with EUR-ACE standards, effective use of ICT, flexible learning path, transversale skills and closer University – Enterprise cooperation.b) Finalise self-assessment reports for EUR-ACE Accreditation of three (3) MA programmes on Energy Efficiency developed within the Edulink’s PEESA project, c) Increase the number of female students in engineering at Partner Country's universities together with closer University-Enterprise cooperation.As a result we get better employability of graduates, more engineering students (especially female students) which contribute to regional sustainable growth as well as social and cultural development. We promote student centred learning by accommodating their different learning styles as well as different circumstances in which students find themselves.The national and international mobility is supported through mutual recognition of degrees and modules.