Picture: Dr Ruth Naa Ashiokai Prempeh (CSIR-Crops Research Institute, Ghana) receiving her institutional and individual awards presented by Professor Chagunda.
The JR Biotek Foundation hosted a profoundly moving and historic celebration on 27 March 2025 at the University of Cambridge: the inaugural JR Biotek Awards. This landmark ceremony honoured a decade of transformative partnerships, dedicated service, and scientific excellence that have propelled African agricultural research and innovation forward.
The awards formed part of Roots of Resilience: A Decade of Innovation & Impact, the Foundation’s flagship event celebrating its ten-year journey of empowering African scientists, building research capacity, and championing food security and sustainability across the continent.
“This celebration is about more than recognising individual contributions. It’s about honouring a collective movement,” said Dr Carol Ibe, Founder and Chief Visionary of JR Biotek Foundation. “A movement rooted in mentorship, equity, and the belief that African scientists hold the key to building a resilient and food-secure future for our continent.”
The awards were presented by Dr Ibe, Professor Mizeck Chagunda (Director, CTLGH, University of Edinburgh), and Dr Rebekah Sacher (Executive Board Member, JR Biotek Foundation).
2025 JR Biotek Award Honourees:
Excellence in Partnership Award
- CSIR–Crops Research Institute (Ghana)
- Centre for Dryland Agriculture, Bayero University (Nigeria)
“Through visionary collaboration and an unwavering commitment to impact, these institutions have enabled JR Biotek and our partners to foster knowledge exchange, strengthen scientific capacity, and empower Africa’s next generation of agricultural scientists.”
