Anthias Consulting shares expertise with Nigerian Science

Anthias Consulting is part of an ambitious partnership between the Royal Society of Chemistry and GSK. This partnership is increasing the analytical chemistry skills across Africa, in 2016 they held courses in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria. This GC-MS training programme aims to up-skill and empower scientists in Africa and develop practical analytical techniques to solve local challenges and contribute to global scientific knowledge.

As part of this partnership, Anthias Consulting facilitated at the first GC-MS training course at the University of Lagos in Nigeria on the 21st – 25th November 2016.  

Dr Imran Janmohamed from Anthias Consulting Ltd., Professor Anthony Gachanja from Kenya's Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) and Dr Claire Beaumont from GSK, UK, presented at the workshop which was attended by 19 carefully chosen participants from across four countries in Africa.

The training course delivered a combination of theoretical and hands-on GC-MS training, along with mass spectral interpretation. The training was uniquely tailored for the local audience to allow the participants to effectively use their own instrument, look at their results and interpret their spectra, once they return to their own institution.

The workshop took place at the Central Research Laboratory, University of Lagos

The GC-MS training initiative is part of GSK’s five-year partnership with the Royal Society of Chemistry's Pan Africa Chemistry Network (PACN). The objective is to enhance the capabilities of African scientists in modern analytical techniques and train more than 400 scientists by 2020, leaving a self-sustaining programme and legacy. It is taking place across four hubs in Africa; Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria and Ethiopia. The programme is also training Local Trainers in each country, in Nigeria, we are working with Dr Bola Adeyi, Dr Toyin Fatunsin and Dr Temilola Oluseyi who will be equipped with the skills, experience and confidence to deliver training to colleagues across Nigeria and West Africa.

Dr Imran Janmohamed (centre) with delegates from across West Africa

Dr Imran valued the experience: "It was a brilliant opportunity to be involved with this workshop. It is exciting to be able to provide researchers with the tools to improve their scientific local knowledge and enhance their experience on the analytical system. The enthusiasm of the participants was truly exceptional and highly encouraging, where we would stay behind on breaks to carry out the practicals or mass spectral interpretation exercises."

"It was a great opportunity to engage with brilliant minds and exchange ideas. These workshops are a great prospect for the scientists to be able to look at the local environmental challenges, review medicines, carry out health and safety processes. I have learned a lot of the challenges for the continent by being part of this workshop and I feel fortunate to be involved."

Dr Imran will be travelling to Nigeria to facilitate a GC-MS workshop in November 2017 as part of the continuing programme.

More photos from the course in Nigeria, can be found here: http://www.rsc.org/news-events/articles/2016/dec/gc-ms-nigeria-round-up/

To find out more about the courses being held in 2017, please see: http://www.rsc.org/events/africa 

Full details on the partnership can be found here: http://www.rsc.org/campaigns/m/rp/pacn-gsk/partnership.