In a bid to broaden its connections across Africa, particularly in Cameroon, Franka E.E. Ebai from the Competence Center Digital Trust visits potential new partners in the region.

As global interest in the African continent grows, it is no surprise that FHNW, one of Switzerland’s leading universities of applied sciences, is drawn to the opportunities it presents. In 2023, the Competence Center Digital Trust launched the “Social Engineering with Africa” elective, in collaboration with Turacos, a Swiss-Cameroonian non-profit organization, and SwissLink Higher Institute of Business and Technology (SwissLink). This successful initiative was followed by the “Cybersecurity Meets Culture” project, a joint research effort with Biaka University Institute of Buea, Cameroon. Additionally, the Competence Center Digital Trust has kicked off the «Swiss-African Cybersecurity Community» project, working alongside six African partners, including two Cameroonian institutions — the University of Buea and SwissLink.

The current collaborations in education and research have sparked a growing interest in partnering with more African institutions. As a result, Franka Ebai – a research associate in the Competence Center Digital Trust – visited new potential partners in Cameroon in August 2024, including Phibmat University, Heritage Higher Institute of Peace and Development Studies, and the University of Buea.

These universities not only extended a warm welcome but also engaged in fruitful discussions about potential collaboration. Key topics included research projects related to digital trust and educational exchange opportunities for both Swiss and African students.