On Thursday, June 24th, 2021, the “MT180” competition was held for the fourth time at the Institut Français/Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire). Organized by AUF (Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie), the competition involves presenting one’s thesis in three minutes in an understandable and convincing manner in terms of the problem to be solved, the methodology and the results.

The 12 candidates, including MOUHO Océanne Murielle Bohasset (Optimization of the production of Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) from cashew apple juice and sugar cane molasses) and KARIDIO DAOUDA Idrissa Oumoul-Kairou (optimization of the production and energy valorization of bio-methane from organic waste) gave their best in front of the enthusiastic audience with their voices and gestures as well as an expressive Power Point presentation.

Both candidates are doing their PhDs at the Doctoral College of the INP-HB in Yamoussoukro and are participating in the coaching programme of LAFMAAL led by Dr. Mariam Muwanga “The competition was a good opportunity to use the confidence gained in coaching, and to stand passionately as a female scientist in front of a larger audience,” KARIDIO DAOUDA Idrissa Oumoul-Kairou from Niger stated.

We are delighted with the young PhD students for their outstanding commitment and take this opportunity to congratulate MOUHO Océanne Murielle Bohasset from Côte d’Ivoire for her double win: one of the double 1st Audience Prizes and the 2nd Jury Prize (16.75/20).