Creating awareness, enabling access and building capacity in Microscopy on the African continent.
AfInMic – Network aims to develop, grow, and support sustainable regional microscopy societies in East, West, North and Southern Africa by 2030.
Welcome to African Inclusive Microscopy - Network
The African Inclusive Microscopy Network (AfInMic) is an initiative under the umbrella of Microscopy Society of Southern Africa (MSSA) [https://www.microscopy.co.za/] that is focused on:
- Creating awareness and enabling access to microscopy techniques of all kinds on the African continent,
- Capacity building via remote and hands-on microscopy training and upskilling on the African continent,
- Networking of students, researchers, microscopy instruments specialists as well as public & private applied science institutes by developing, growing, and supporting sustainable regional microscopy societies in East, West, North and Southern Africa by 2030
The AfInMic workshop registrations from the continent of Africa displayed by country for the years 2018 to 2022.
The African Inclusive Microscopy Network (AfInMic) was established in 2018 and was initially designed to provide no-cost microscopy training and a networking platform for postgraduate students and researchers from historically disadvantaged universities in Southern Africa. In 2018, 115 postgraduate students and researchers were trained on a range of microscopy techniques and skills including light microscopy, scanning electron and transmission electron microscopy, and hands-on use of imaging software for data processing. To support their research goals, they were also trained on preparing funding applications for microscopy research and exposed to potential funders.
Based on the successes and learnings from the Southern African region, the AfInMic network extended the mandate to the whole of the African continent, conducting training in collaboration with leading African microscopy researchers as well as leading microscope instrument suppliers who form part of the network. Results far exceeded expectations; within two years registrations grew exponentially, and came from 19 African countries, covering over 200 institutions across Africa. Over 2,000 postgraduate students, researchers, health professionals and microscopist have been trained by 2021.
2023 NA - International Microscopy Workshop
2022 WA - International Microscopy Workshop Attendees
| No. | Workshop Session | Total No. of Attendees |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Welcome Address |
960 |
|
2 |
Sample Preparation (Life Science) |
1198 |
|
3 |
Sample Preparation (Material Science) |
953 |
|
4 |
Light Microscopy (LM) |
869 |
|
5 |
Laser Confocal / Fluorescence Microscopy (LCSM/FM) |
1072 |
|
6 |
Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) |
385 |
|
7 |
Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) |
803 |
|
8 |
Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) |
667 |
|
9 |
Spectroscopy |
789 |
|
10 |
Data Processing Techniques |
465 |
The AfInMic 2022 WA – International Microscopy Workshop registration breakdown by region in Africa (West, East, North and South Africa) according to discipline, MS = Material Science, LS = Life Science and Both = both MS and LS.
2021 Microscopy workshop attendees
| No. | Workshop Session | Total No. of Attendees |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Welcome Address |
794 |
|
2 |
Sample Preparation (Life & Material Science) |
1798 |
|
3 |
Light Microscopy + Laser Confocal Scanning Microscopy (LCSM) / Fluorescence Microscopy |
1530 |
|
4 |
Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) |
702 |
|
5 |
Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) |
729 |
|
6 |
Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) |
284 |
|
7 |
Spectroscopy (Raman & XRD) |
851 |
|
8 |
Data Processing (ImageJ) |
531 |
2021 Microscopy workshop registration breakdown according to, (a) Occupation and (b) Science discipline, from 18 countries across Africa.
Our trade partners that collaborated with AfInMic – Network Workshop Series.
Bursaries
Opportunities to apply for bursaries to attend the biennial conferences of the Microscopy society of Southern Africa (MSSA).
Resources
Access to AfInMic Network workshop series videos.
Competitions
Eligibility to participate in competitions of AfInMic Network (only applicable to student membership).
Information
Access to the latest updates on workshops, symposia, webinars, and other activities of the AfInMic network.
To become a member of AfInMic, simply fill out our membership form. Membership is free.