On 28 October 2025, Her Excellency the Ambassador of the United Kingdom paid an official visit to the University of Kinshasa and the Congo Basin Water Resources Research Center (CRREBaC). Accompanied by the UK Climate Adviser in Congo, the Ambassador met with the university’s academic authorities and toured several laboratories and faculties, including those dedicated to science and technology, agronomy, environment, medicine, and pharmacy. The visit concluded at CRREBaC, where she engaged with the CBSI secretariat and met the newly selected scholarship recipients.
In her speech, she emphasised the crucial role of the scholarship programme in combating climate change and highlighted the significance of the Congo Basin – often compared to the Amazon – as a key regulator of the global climate. She encouraged more accessible scientific communication to ensure that decision-makers and local communities clearly understand the impact of the work to be undertaken by CBSI.
The conversations with students offered valuable insights into their motivations and aspirations. Doctoral student Felly presented his research protocol focused on field realities, while Rosalie shared her ambition to advance climate forecasting. Ulrich highlighted the challenges surrounding water resources in Cameroon and doctoral student Landry emphasised the scarcity of hydrological data across the region. Members of the CBSI Secretariat, in turn, expressed their gratitude for the embassy’s continued support.
Professor Raphael Tshimanga, together with Felly, emphasised the need for effective engagement with local communities and the establishment of pilot sites to improve data collection. The Climate Adviser proposed strengthening collaboration through a dedicated exchange platform and pledged to connect the scholarship recipients with other UK-supported students.
