I am a PhD student of the Department of Mining and Minerals Engineering at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, USA. and on exchange fellowship at CESAAM Egerton University. I have been here for the last one-year and I am proud to report that I enjoy a rich network of Professors and students from different specializations especially during the CESAAM workshops and meetings which brings together different departments and institutions. My research focus is enhancing petroleum oil recovery and treating water produced with the petroleum oil. The research aimed at increasing oil production to boost South Sudan economy and use the treated water in agriculture for irrigation or/and livestock watering. CESAAM has a very impressive and has facilitated my exchange program.

I am a Kenyan PhD student addressing crop losses in maize and other cereals such as sorghum in Kenya. I am proud to be part of CESAAMs mission of addressing hunger in Africa. I am currently in my research addressing pesticides and limited expertise in efficient pesticide application. Biopesticides are safer than inorganic pesticides but a lot of research on biopesticides to manage FAW has only been done in other countries and only limited research has been done in Africa. Host plant resistance through use of resistant varieties is the best solution to contain FAW in combination with other methods of pest control due to its low cost. This study will therefore evaluate 49 selected advanced sorghum breeding lines with the aim of identifying high yielding, and FAW resistant lines which could be released as varieties to be used by farmers and improve sorghum productivity in ASALs.

My name is Jean Claude NDAYISABA from Burundi. I am a second year student pursuing master’s degree program in Agricultural and Applied economics at under CESAAM at Egerton University in Kenya. I am fully sponsored by CESAAM (Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Agriculture and Agribusiness Management). I had my first beautiful experience at my arrival on airport. I was welcomed by two gentlemen sent by CESAAM who took me to Egerton in all tranquillity. Therefore, I started feeling well due to the kindness of the two men. Once arrived at Egerton, CESAAM repeatedly organized orientation sessions which made me becoming familiar

with Egerton and its surroundings. I deeply appreciate Egerton University’s staff which always tries its best so that new foreign students get easily familiar with Egerton environment.Right now, I made friends both Kenyans and other international students. I am now feeling like at home. Let me highlight that CESAAM usually organizes seminars, workshops which enhance my acknowledge. CESAAM in collaboration with the department Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness management where am enrolled promoted me. My Experience of a Sandwich Program in University of Pretoria between CESAAM and University of Pretoria was very satisfying. At UP, I specialized in Agricultural Policy Analysis. Now, I have enough skills and knowledge in agricultural policy as well as in quantitative methods to assess the impact of any agricultural and environmental policy. During my stay in UP, I mostly participated in seminars where presentations were made by experts in policy analysis. I had an opportunity of participating in excursions learning how South African managed to develop its agriculture. Finally, I do say that I made friends from almost all African countries.

To sum up, allow me to say that even my dream of becoming bilingual (French and English) has been concretized via CESAAM.

My country lacks qualified human resources in one or another domain; I, as a Policy Economist do reaffirm my commitment to contribute in designing agricultural and environmental policies for my country and the world in general.

I do give my thanks to CESAAM for the contribution it is making to my country and to the entire world through sponsoring my studies.

I am Swaumu Hassan Mohamed, a Tanzanian lady pursuing a Master's degree in Agribusiness Management at Egerton University. Apart from being among the thirty (30) female scientists sponsored by Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA), I am also a beneficiary of the Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Agriculture and Agribusiness Management (CESAAM). This can be evidenced from the moment I landed in Kenya. I informed CESAAM that I had a nine months- old daughter and I would like to come with her. CESAAM agreed and arranged special accommodation whereby both, I and my daughter's nanny could comfortably live. Not only

that but also CESAAM supported our stay at Tree Top by paying more than half of the accommodation rent (Kes 5000) for the whole period we resided. In addition to that, CESAAM has facilitated us with special facilities such as a microwave that helped me to save time during food preparation and a fridge for easy storage of perishable foods like milk for my daughter. Moreover, CESAAM has ensured the timely flow of my stipends without any delays and lastly, the Centre has provided me with an internship stipend that helped during the internship period at the University of Dar es Salaam. Therefore, special thanks go directly to the Centre Leader and his team, their support is immensely appreciated.

I am grateful for this great opportunity of sharing my experience with CESAAM at Egerton University, Kenya.

My name is Jackson Nkesiga from Rwanda, pursuing Ph.D in Food Science at Department of Dairy and Food Science and Technology, started my studies in August, 2018 at Egerton University. My studies are sponsored by the Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Agriculture and Agribusiness Management (CESAAM) at Egerton University.My joy and dreams came true since the time I received an email from CESAAM informing me

that I have received a Ph.D Scholarship at Egerton University and I thank CESAAM for financially supporting my studies, keeping communication and updates concerning us. Some scholarships do not provide air ticket and stipends but let me take this time to thank also CESAAM Leaders that offer timely and consistently the stipends which are highly helping students. Apart from that, CESAAM have been good for me since the time I came, because they organize seminars that are helpful in my academic studies. I cannot finish without thanking CESAAM for its initiated program of looking internship opportunities for us and these will also contribute hugely in improving our practical knowledge and skills. Since I joined Egerton University, I have realized that it is actually a high quality teaching and deserving university where practical and sound knowledge are gained. I have no hesitation to say that my dreams will be fulfilled through studying at Egerton University, then the community will have outstanding performers that will help them to achieve high quality health and sustainable development.

A true change comes from individual, it makes what is considered as a mirage to happen. What people think of you are misery and illusion that if given room, shall poison you and make you useless. Associate with the high achievers and visionary people because they will nurture, empower and help you develop your capacity to realize the hidden potential in you that no one had ever thought could become real. Through interaction with people, situations and experience I have realized that one can alter the trajectory of his/her lives and free themselves to pursue a future of self-determination in all facets of life. Appreciations to CESAAM for offering me such a rare chance to pursue my masters in Egerton, I believe knowledge attained wil l be crucial for transforming and developing my community which for a long time have not believed in the value for educating a girl child.