蜜桃社区

Course description

This five-day training course in Liquid Chromatography鈥揗ass Spectrometry (LC-MS) is designed to strengthen analytical science capacity across Africa. It equips participants with both practical skills and theoretical knowledge, tailored specifically for researchers, lecturers, laboratory technicians, and MSc/PhD-level postgraduate students in the chemical sciences. Participants come from universities, research institutions, and government and industrial laboratories.

The course emphasizes the practical application of LC-MS, including method development, quantitative analysis, and spectral interpretation. It combines classroom-based instruction with hands-on laboratory sessions using real instruments, consumables, and real-world case studies. Printed course materials are provided, and participants are encouraged to actively engage in discussion and collaborative learning throughout.

Co-developed with African scientists, the course was piloted with representatives from PACN hubs in Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Ghana. Its content is regularly refined in response to participant feedback鈥攆or instance, following requests for deeper coverage of spectral interpretation, additional exercises have been integrated into the curriculum.

Participants are selected through a transparent, criteria-based process managed by a local committee, with final review by the 蜜桃社区's International Engagement Team. To ensure equitable access, applicants requiring financial assistance are provided with full travel support, regardless of income level or professional background. Since 2017, approximately one-third of course participants have been women, reflecting the broader gender distribution within the African scientific community.

To personalise the learning experience, participants complete a pre-course questionnaire assessing their background and training needs. An initial session aligns course outcomes with individual goals, while an end-of-course activity supports participants in developing action plans to apply their new skills in their professional settings.

Daily informal feedback sessions and a formal end-of-course evaluation help drive continuous improvement. Feedback is reviewed by local trainers, course organisers, and the 蜜桃社区鈥檚 PACN team.

The course is hosted at fully accessible venues such as Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) in Kenya and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Ghana鈥攊nstitutions that provide the necessary infrastructure, instrumentation, and local expertise.

Inclusivity is a core commitment of the course. Venues and materials are designed to support participants with diverse needs, and all travel and accommodation arrangements are managed by PACN to ensure a safe, supportive, and focused learning environment.

The course is free of charge, with no tuition or registration fees. Applicants are encouraged to seek travel support from their institutions, but as mentioned, the 蜜桃社区 provides support for those unable to secure funding. Some places are reserved for participants who can cover their own travel and for 蜜桃社区 members. The 蜜桃社区 covers all accommodation and local transport costs.

Pre-requisites

Applicants must have at least a BSc or HND in chemical sciences and show how the course will benefit their research, teaching, or career.

Additional info

Participants are housed in nearby university accommodation, with local transport, meals, and refreshments provided throughout the training.

Training provider

蜜桃社区 - Pan Africa Chemistry Network (PACN)

Email

hassanj@rsc.org

Tel

+44 (0) 207 440 3323