STELLENBOSCH – African and Japanese researchers convened at Stellenbosch University from 8 to 9 July 2025 to chart a new scientific partnership focusing on the intersection of energy, agriculture, and water systems.
The two-day workshop, hosted by the School for Climate Studies, marked the start of a research collaboration known as “Hydrobioscapes,” which explores how natural systems interact across sectors critical to sustainable development.
The initiative brings together academics from the Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST), Kenya’s Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Stellenbosch University (SU), and the University of Tokyo (U-Tokyo). 
The programme is supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which is promoting the movement of scientific expertise between African and Japanese universities and strengthening collaboration among African institutions themselves.
E-JUST, JKUAT, and SU are serving as regional hubs in Egypt, Kenya, and South Africa respectively, tasked with spearheading joint research into energy, agriculture, and water. The Stellenbosch workshop was the first major gathering under this partnership, setting the foundation for future fieldwork and academic exchange.
