Earlier this month, our Team were delighted to receive the first NEXtra cohort to the office. Preeyaphat Chaiklang from Thailand, Lwin Nyein from Myanmar, Prashant Kumar from India, and Yamikani Makwinja from Malawi joined the ever-growing UNU-FLORES family to start their Doctoral studies under the joint supervision of experts from the Institute's Strategic Partner and frequent collaborator, TU Dresden, and UNU-FLORES. An additional doctoral researcher, Rayyan Sulieman from Sudan, will join the cohort in October.
NEXtra, or “Resource Nexus for Sustainability Transformations” is a project funded by the EPOS (development-oriented postgraduate studies) programme - part of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). Doctoral researchers under this programme will also have the unique opportunity to form highly productive and valuable connections to the UN system through the United Nations Development Cooperation Office (UN-DCO) in New York.
During their first week at UNU-FLORES, the newcomers met the Team and were introduced to the Institute's working culture and mission; they participated in several staff meetings and enjoyed a celebratory movie and pizza night.
On behalf of the whole UNU-FLORES Team, we wish Preeyaphat, Lwin, Prashant, and Yamikani a great start to their exciting educational journeys. We greatly anticipate fostering this cohort's collaboration, continuous learning, and groundbreaking research. The ultimate aim of NEXtra (and UNU-FLORES as a Think Tank) is that these students are empowered to develop into future “agents of transformation” that work to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals in their home countries, and in the Global South.
Front (L-R): Daisy Waked, Preeyaphat Chaiklang, Lwin Nyein, Yamikani Makwinja, Dr Nora Adam Photo: UNU-FLORES
