It all started with a master’s student exchange programme initiated in 2012 between Leipzig University in Germany and the IRGIB Africa University in Benin. As a master’s student, I was selected to take part in this programme and performed a laboratory exchange training at Leipzig University where I acquired new molecular, biological and pharmacological working methods. I was also able to contribute to existing projects and developed new professional, scientific and personal skills. Following this constructive and valuable short-term experience, my willingness to pursue doctoral studies at a leading research institution such as Leipzig University was more obvious and I’m grateful I could take part in the binationally supervised PhD programmes which result from a longstanding partnership between the IRGIB Africa University and Leipzig University.
My research interests were directed towards novel therapeutic strategies with natural products. Thus, within my PhD project I focused on the Ethnopharmacological investigation and chemical composition of the fungus growing termite strain Macrotermes bellicosus (Macrotermitinae) used in traditional medicine in Benin.
Advantages of such a doctoral programme
Conducting my thesis research topic allowed me to explore new research techniques and benefit from the experience of a longstanding research institution in Germany. This was a great opportunity for me personally but also for the IRGIB Africa University in Benin, as I was able to transfer the knowledge gained throughout this project to my colleagues and students in order to promote pharmacological and toxicological research in Benin, where those fields of research are still less explored. The opportunity to perform a binational PhD was a major asset for my professional career and it has provided an interesting forum for networking and scientific discussions. It has given me several occasions to present and discuss research related to natural products with other scientists and also enlarge my professional network with international researchers. Moreover, the exchange term was also a great chance to enrich my abilities in the social and intercultural fields.
Despite all, I made it
Obviously, the completion of my doctoral journey was not without challenges, and lessons learned. Considerable challenges in the beginning of my time studying at Leipzig University were the German language as well as adapting to and understanding the Leipzig University system. However, apart from the fact that I attended German language courses, I was happy to realize that most people at the university level speak English and I could also communicate in English with my supervisors and colleagues in the different laboratories where I worked. The digitalization of the Leipzig University system helped a lot as well in finding all information needed to understand the organization of the university. The continuous unreserved support as well as guidance from my supervisors and colleagues was also very helpful and encouraging. The cotutelle PhD thesis was structured in a sandwich course with a six-month stay at each partner university, meaning I had to travel frequently between Germany and Benin. The frequent change of country and therefore change of university structure, atmosphere and lifestyle was also not easy but I have learned to organize myself with this and adapt to it. As a married woman, this constant mobility during my doctoral programme was a big challenge for me but I’m so thankful to my husband for his constant love, patience, endless support and immeasurable sacrifice during my whole PhD journey. I’m also thankful to my son who has accompanied me emotionally through every effort and thought of the writing phases of my thesis and who tolerated my busy schedules and endured my time away from him to complete my PhD.
My PhD defence
Despite all these challenges, I came to the end of this journey with a memorable PhD defence. This day was so special to me as I was surrounded by all my loved ones. My mentors from Germany also came to Benin to attend my defence and I was very happy to have them and grateful that they made the trip while the COVID-19 pandemic was still going on. The PhD defence was organized physically as well as virtually in order to allow family and friends who could not travel to attend. The jury committee was composed of prestigious professors from Germany and Benin. I successfully obtained my PhD and my sincere gratitude goes to all the people who have accompanied me and shown immense support during all the years of my thesis. I would definitely encourage the continuity of this binational PhD programme and recommend all students to grab such a great opportunity.
One lesson I have tried to apply in this PhD journey is that whatever happened, I should keep moving forward.
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill
The research stay abroad at Leipzig University was jointly funded by the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service, Project ID:54392494), the ERASMUS+ KA107 International Credit Mobility (Project ID: 2017-1-DE01-KA107-003361) and the company Dr. Willmar Schwabe GmbH & Co. KG (Dr. Willmar Schwabe Research Scholarship, 2017).