{"id":18509,"date":"2026-06-20T13:06:17","date_gmt":"2026-06-20T13:06:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.iita.org\/news-item\/iita-advances-research-partnerships-with-visit-of-novo-nordisk-foundation-board-vice-chair\/"},"modified":"2026-06-29T16:45:14","modified_gmt":"2026-06-29T16:45:14","slug":"iita-advances-research-partnerships-with-visit-of-novo-nordisk-foundation-board-vice-chair","status":"publish","type":"news-item","link":"https:\/\/iita.org\/fr\/news-item\/iita-advances-research-partnerships-with-visit-of-novo-nordisk-foundation-board-vice-chair\/","title":{"rendered":"IITA advances research partnerships with visit of Novo Nordisk Foundation Board Vice Chair"},"content":{"rendered":"

 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"IITA,<\/a>
IITA, CIMMYT, and ICRISAT representatives pose for a photo with the NNF Board Vice Chair and his team.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n\n\n\n

IITA<\/a>\u2013CGIAR<\/a> recently hosted the Vice Chair (VC) of the Novo Nordisk Foundation (NNF)<\/a> board, Lars Munch, during a strategic visit to the CGIAR in Kenya to strengthen engagement on science, innovation, and agricultural research for development. The visit provided an opportunity to showcase IITA\u2019s research capabilities and to highlight the role of advanced biotechnology in addressing key agricultural challenges in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Led by IITA\u2019s Deputy Director General for Research for Development (DDG-R4D), Dr Bernard Vanlauwe<\/a>, and the Director of the IITA Eastern Africa Hub, Docteur Leena Tripathi<\/a>, the VC toured IITA\u2019s research facilities, including the biotechnology laboratories and glasshouses, where ongoing genome-editing work was presented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Dr<\/a>
Dr Bernard Vanlauwe and the NNF Board Vice Chair, Lars Munch interacting with a PhD student in the gene editing lab.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Discussions focused on IITA\u2019s contributions to disease resistance, climate resilience, and productivity enhancement, as well as the importance of research infrastructure and capacity strengthening in delivering sustainable impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The engagement also brought together representatives from CIMMYT<\/a> et CIRDI<\/a>, who presented overviews of their respective NNF-funded projects and shared perspectives on emerging opportunities and future collaboration within the Foundation\u2019s portfolio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Dr<\/a>
Dr Jaindra Tripathi showcasing banana cell cultures during a visit to IITA\u2019s gene-editing lab.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reflecting on the visit, Lars noted, \u201cIt is inspiring to see how advanced science and practical innovation are being applied to address real agricultural challenges. IITA\u2019s work demonstrates how research excellence, partnerships, and capacity building can translate into meaningful impact for farmers and food systems.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

IITA\u2019s DDG-R4D, Dr Vanlauwe emphasized the value of strategic partnerships, stating, \u201cThis visit reflects the importance of building strong relationships with global partners who share our commitment to science-driven development. Collaboration is essential to advancing innovative solutions that are locally relevant and globally significant.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr Tripathi, on the other hand, highlighted the institutional significance of the engagement, adding, \u201cHosting the Novo Nordisk Foundation Board Vice Chair at our labs is an absolute honor. It reinforces our role as a regional platform for science, innovation, and partnership, and our commitment to translating research into impact.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The visit created a valuable platform for dialogue on science-led development, strategic investment in innovation, and opportunities for future collaboration, reinforcing the importance of partnerships in improving livelihoods across Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contributed by Rose Harriet Okech<\/em><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

IITA-CGIAR recently hosted the Vice Chair (VC) of the Novo Nordisk Foundation (NNF) board, Lars Munch, during a strategic visit to the CGIAR in Kenya to strengthen engagement on science, innovation, and agricultural research for development.<\/p>","protected":false},"featured_media":18510,"template":"","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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