The University of Lomé has officially launched the doctoral entrance 2026-2027, with the theme "Interdisciplinarity, innovation, and artificial intelligence: research in service of Togo's socio-economic transformation." This new academic year aims to strengthen the quality of doctoral training and direct research towards Togo's development needs. The event was attended by Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Pr Gado Tchangbedji, and other notable figures.
Minister Tchangbedji emphasized the importance of aligning research with national priorities, citing the government's roadmap for 2026-2031. He encouraged researchers to produce knowledge that addresses concrete challenges in areas such as agriculture, health, energy, and digital technology. The minister also announced plans to upgrade scientific equipment, improve connectivity, and enhance researcher mobility. Additionally, he revealed that construction of polyvalent laboratories and a national research and innovation fair will soon commence.
University of Lomé President, Pr Kossivi Hounaké, welcomed the gathering of various stakeholders, highlighting their interest in promoting research and scientific excellence in Togo. He stressed that the doctoral entrance marks the beginning of an intellectually demanding journey, focusing on scientific truth and excellence. The president encouraged doctoral students to adopt an interdisciplinary approach, leveraging artificial intelligence while maintaining ethics and methodological rigor.
Pr Hounaké addressed the theme of the doctoral entrance, emphasizing the need for researchers to tackle contemporary challenges such as climate change, ecological transition, and digital revolution. He urged students to ground their research in reality, listening to the needs of the population and national economic priorities. The president reaffirmed the university's commitment to supporting doctoral students and strengthening ties between academia and the socio-economic sector.
Pr Komi Kouvon, representing the directors of doctoral schools, highlighted the need to rethink scientific research in the face of global changes. He emphasized the importance of interdisciplinarity in addressing complex current challenges and encouraged students to respect the University of Lomé's Doctoral Charter. This charter promotes integrity, intellectual rigor, and impartiality, while valuing scientific publications and exchanges.
The ceremony included a conference by President Hounaké on the future of higher education and the role of the University of Lomé. This was followed by inaugural conferences on the contribution of scientific research to Togo's socio-economic transformation and the challenges of research in the era of artificial intelligence. The event concluded with the awarding of the 2025-2026 Doctoral Excellence Prize to six laureates.
Through this doctoral entrance, the University of Lomé reaffirms its ambition to train researchers capable of combining academic excellence, innovation, and social responsibility. The aim is to make scientific research a genuine driver of national development, addressing Togo's specific challenges and needs. The university's efforts focus on producing high-quality research that contributes to the country's growth and transformation.
Key points
- The University of Lomé's doctoral entrance 2026-2027 focuses on interdisciplinary research, innovation, and artificial intelligence to address Togo's socio-economic challenges.
