Milestone: Launch of e-certificate in the INTERFACES project

This digital learning offer was co-developed by the research team of the International Centre for Sustainable Development (IZNE) of Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences (H-BRS) in close collaboration with the University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD) and the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), and brings together the expertise of more than 20 researchers across the programme.

The launch took place during the programme’s mid-term conference in Accra, Ghana (2–6 June), and was accompanied by a panel discussion curated by Berenice Fischer.

A symbolic and joyful “mouse click” opened the e-learning platform with representatives from all three partner institutions.

The highlights of the conference included:

• Dr. Patrick Opoku (NELGA) underlining the alignment of the certificate with an African Union-led skills needs assessment.
• Prof. Edward Wiafe Debrah (Pro-Vice Chancellor, UESD) praising its potential to reach students in remote areas.
• Dr. Hannah Jaenicke (Senior Researcher, INTERFACES) highlighted the importance of regional ownership, noting that long-term impact and continued relevance of such learning programmes depend on their institutional anchoring in the region.

Prior to the launch, the H-BRS team was warmly welcomed by Prof. Eric Nyarko-Sampson, Vice-Chancellor of UESD, at the Somanya campus—an opportunity to celebrate the successful collaboration with the university’s leadership and faculty.

Congratulations to the entire team at H-BRS—Prof. Dr. Wiltrud Terlau, Dr. Eefje Aarnoudse, and Berenice Fischer—for leading this milestone. This initiative is a powerful example of how research results can meaningfully shape higher education across borders.