The Center for African Studies jointly with the Institute for Global Food Systems at IFAS hosted the visit of Dr. Alioune Touré, who is the Head of Livestock and Technology Sciences Department at the University of Sine-Saloum El Hadji Ibrahima NIASS (USSEIN) in Kaffrine, Senegal. Dr Toure is a veterinarian by training and served as the main country coordinator for the IDRC-funded project titled “Advancing women’s participation in livestock vaccine value chains in Nepal, Senegal, and Uganda” during 2019-2023. In this capacity, Dr Toure closely worked with two core CAS Faculty members (Dr Renata Serra and Dr. Sarah McKune) as well as with Drs. Sandra Russo and Nargiza Ludgate, supporting the work of several UF students.
During his three-week visit to UF, Dr Toure had meetings and exchanges with Faculty from multiple colleges and departments, including Center for African Studies, Animal Sciences, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Public Health and Health Professions, Environmental and Global Health, Plant Pathology, Soil, Water and Ecosystem Sciences, Veterinary Medicine, and UFIC. He shared research and teaching experience with peers at UF, and discussed potential long-term collaboration with various UF units. The culmination of this visit was the formalization of a MOU between USSEIN and the UF College of Public Health and Health Professions (PHHP), with the scope to facilitate strong linkages between the two institutions. A ceremony was held on Nov 13 at UFIC, at which UFIC Dean Dr. Martha Wayne signed this international MOU, in the presence of Dr Toure, Dr. Tony Maurelli (as representative from the College of PHHP) and Dr Renata Serra (representing CAS).
