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Our impact

What happens when Africa invests in African-led knowledge

In just a few years, ARS has grown from a student initiative at UCT into a continent-facing research movement. We've convened Nobel Laureates, run hands-on lab experiences, and connected thousands of students to research, mentorship, and training.

2022
Founded at UCT
40+
Backing institutions
2,000+
Students connected to labs, training & mentorship
1,900+
Students engaged in ARS events in 2024
5
Nobel Laureate speakers featured

Highlights

Marquee moments

Nobel Laureate Evenings — "Inside the Researcher's Mindset"

Our flagship inspiration series brings Nobel Laureates to African students. The 2024 edition (17 August 2024) featured Nobel Laureate Prof. Joachim Frank at UCT, drawing ~340 attendees for an evening on the future of research and innovation. Five Nobel Laureate speakers have featured across ARS events.

IRAP — Interdisciplinary Research Apprenticeship Program

A six-month mentored program connecting undergraduate students with researchers and supervisors to conduct real research. A practical on-ramp into the research world.

The ARS Lab Camp

Gives medical and science students hands-on laboratory exposure by shadowing postdocs and PhD researchers for a week, run with UCT partners. Historically held as the Summer Lab Camp (Jan/Feb); the 2026 edition runs as the Winter Lab Camp, 13–17 July 2026.

African Health Futures Indaba

A multi-day, interdisciplinary gathering exploring how science, technology, culture, and policy can build healthier, more resilient African societies — spanning medicine, public health, engineering, data science, and the social sciences.

In pictures

The movement, up close

Nobel Laureate Prof. Joachim Frank speaking with a microphone beside a UCT lecture podium
Nobel Laureate Prof. Joachim Frank addresses students at UCT, 2024.
A full lecture hall of students smiling and raising phones during an ARS event
A packed house for an ARS evening at UCT.
Two researchers in conversation beside a whiteboard covered in colourful idea notes
Cross-disciplinary minds meet at an ARS networking event.
Students working through questions together on a whiteboard during a workshop
Building research skills, one workshop at a time.
Two ARS hosts with microphones on stage in front of the Nobel Laureate event slide
ARS members open the 2024 Nobel Laureate evening.
Large group photo of ARS members and guests celebrating at a Nobel Laureate evening
A movement across the continent.

Milestones

From student initiative to continental movement

  1. 2022

    ARS founded at the University of Cape Town.

  2. 31 July 2023

    Registered as a non-profit organisation (NPO 294-803) with the Department of Social Development.

  3. 17 August 2024

    Nobel Laureate evening with Prof. Joachim Frank; 1,900+ students engaged in ARS events across 2024.

  4. 2025

    Incorporated as African Research Society NPC (K2025477702); first NPO bank account opened 17 June 2025; continental chapter expansion begins.

  5. 2026

    Winter Lab Camp (July); launch of africanresearchsociety.org.

Collaborations

Working alongside leading institutions

  • Afrigen Biologics & Vaccines
  • Beau Constantia
  • UCT Neuroscience Institute
  • UCT Division of Human Genetics
  • UCT Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine
  • NIH Fogarty Initiative
  • UCT School of Public Health & Family Medicine
  • Discovery Foundation
  • South African Clinician Scientists Society

This track record is just the beginning.

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