UVU Bio

19/10/2026

Celebrating Progress in Vaccine Manufacturing

We are proud to celebrate Pacifique Igiraneza, a UVU Bio alumnus, on successfully completing the Africa CDC Industrial Fellowship in Vaccine Manufacturing in Senegal. This is an important step in building the specialised industry experience needed for Africa’s growing vaccine manufacturing sector.

Pacifique completed the Introduction to Biotechnology programme, where he strengthened his understanding of biotechnology and biomanufacturing. He went on to be selected for the Africa CDC Industrial Fellowship, gaining valuable exposure to vaccine manufacturing within an African industry context.

Reflecting on his experience, Pacifique shared:

“UVU Bio served as a bridge between my academic theory and the real-world biomanufacturing industry, expanding my career opportunities.”

Congratulations, Pacifique, on completing this significant fellowship. We’re excited to see how you continue to apply your skills and experience across Africa’s biotechnology sector.

14/10/2026

UVU Bio strengthens industry connections in Rwanda

Practical industry experience is an important step in preparing skilled professionals for the workplace.

Through UVU Bio’s General Laboratory and Equipment Operations (GLEO) programme in Rwanda, candidates are gaining practical industry experience through internship opportunities with industry partners, including Labophar, a Rwandan pharmaceutical manufacturer.

During a recent visit to LABOPHAR, the UVU Bio team met with two candidates undertaking a three-month internship following their training.

These internships provide candidates with opportunities to apply their learning in professional environments and gain exposure to various disciplines within the biotechnology field.

Through collaboration with industry partners in Rwanda, UVU Bio is strengthening the link between skills development and industry, creating opportunities for candidates to gain valuable practical experience beyond the training environment.

08/10/2026

Building Laboratory Skills in Rwanda

Congratulations to the 25 candidates in Rwanda who have successfully graduated from the General Laboratory and Equipment Operation Skills (GLEO 2) Programme, delivered in partnership with the European Union's Global Gateway and GIZ Rwanda.

Through the programme, participants developed practical skills through lectures, tutorials, laboratory sessions, equipment demonstrations and soft skills development, building both technical competency and professional laboratory readiness.

We look forward to seeing the skills and knowledge gained through the programme put into practice.

29/09/2026

Bringing OrganoBoost and African bioinnovation to China

UVU Bio represented South Africa at the 19th Pujiang Innovation Forum in Shanghai, China, where the country took part as Country of Honour. The Forum brought together scientists, innovators, entrepreneurs, industry leaders and policymakers to engage around science, technology and innovation.

Our Product Development & Innovation Division showcased OrganoBoost, an entrepreneur supported through our innovation ecosystem, on a platform that put African innovation in front of a global audience.

OrganoBoost is addressing an environmental challenge by using pondweed biomass from aquatic systems to develop a soil enhancement product for agriculture. Pujiang was an ideal setting for this work, offering direct access to an international audience, potential collaborators and the wider scientific and innovation networks that the entrepreneurs we support need to grow.

African innovation belongs in global scientific conversations, and UVU Bio is committed to taking the entrepreneurs we support there.

Thanks to the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSI) and the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) for supporting South African scientists and innovators to participate in global platforms such as the Pujiang Innovation Forum.

23/09/2026

UVU Bio helps turn laboratory skills into career opportunities

We are equipping emerging professionals with industry-relevant skills and creating pathways that connect training with real opportunities in the workplace.

Through the General Laboratory and Equipment Operation (GLEO) programme in Rwanda, Evode Niyonshuti developed practical, workplace-relevant laboratory skills.

Following his training, Evode has secured a Quality Control role at East Africa Exchange (EAX), an individual career milestone that demonstrates how skills development can support pathways into technical roles.

Congratulations, Evode! We look forward to seeing your continued growth.

18/09/2026

Investing in Women Farmers and the Future of Agriculture

Women farmers play an important role across Africa’s agrifood systems, contributing to food production, livelihoods and local economies. Yet access to the resources, knowledge, technology and markets needed to expand these opportunities remains uneven.

As 2026 marks the UN International Year of the Woman Farmer, our agriculture work with women farmers focuses on practical interventions that support participation, resilience and growth.

Through UVU Bio and UVU Africa, we are combining local knowledge with agricultural innovation to support access to climate-adapted inputs, agronomic training, market opportunities and agri-innovation.

Watch the video to learn more about the work and the women farmers it supports: https://youtu.be/1Hl_bLd5MDQ?si=7S3kIlRv9xEi0IAv

2026: A Breakthrough Year for Women FarmersThe United Nations has...

02/09/2026

Making Laboratory Access More Inclusive

Many learners experience science primarily through textbooks, theory and the classroom.

Through the SheSTEAM CAPS Practical Readiness Intervention, 103 Grade 12 girls stepped into a laboratory environment for the first time to work with scientific equipment, conduct experiments and put their knowledge into practice ahead of their exams.

Read our latest story to see what happened when learners were given the opportunity to experience science in a real laboratory.

Through initiatives like SheSTEAM, UVU Bio is helping create more inclusive opportunities to access practical science, develop skills and engage with pathways into STEM: https://www.uvubio.com/closing-the-laboratory-access-gap-for-grade-12-learners/

28/08/2026

A new cohort begins their laboratory skills journey in Rwanda.

We’re pleased to welcome 25 candidates to GLEO Cohort 2 in Rwanda for three weeks of training through the General Laboratory and Equipment Operation Skills Programme, delivered in partnership with Global Gateway and GIZ Rwanda.

Over the coming weeks, candidates will engage in lectures, tutorials, practical laboratory sessions, equipment demonstrations and soft skills development, building the technical knowledge and professional readiness needed for laboratory environments.

We look forward to seeing what this cohort learns, develops and takes forward through their time in the programme.

26/08/2026

A huge congratulations to our top performing GLEO Cohort 1 candidates

After completing their laboratory training, they are now beginning a three-month internship placement at LoveWay Rwanda, where they will gain practical experience in a professional pharmaceutical and biotechnology manufacturing environment.

The placement gives our candidates the opportunity to apply their laboratory training in a professional environment.

By partnering with organisations like LoveWay Rwanda, we’re creating stronger links between laboratory training and industry exposure.

Candidates will have the opportunity to gain practical experience and exposure to the realities of laboratory operations.

Interested in exploring opportunities to host UVU Bio interns? Click here: https://forms.zohopublic.com/uvuafrica1/form/HostCompanyExpressionofInterest/formperma/6oOsq54zITjpfvlt8HDzQCXJxRQ7hXIJjjAuR0ZqvCg

14/08/2026

Congratulations to the 25 graduates in Rwanda who have successfully completed the General Laboratory and Equipment Operation Skills Programme, delivered in partnership with Global Gateway and GIZ Rwanda.

The programme combined lectures, tutorials, practical laboratory sessions, equipment demonstrations and soft skills development, equipping participants with both technical competency and professional laboratory readiness.

Congratulations to our graduates on this achievement. We look forward to seeing the skills and knowledge gained through the programme put into practice.