Successful Training of Drone Operators.

Emmanuel Oyo, AdEMNEA Project’s coordinator at the University of Juba, presented the institute’s Partner Progress Report, which highlighted steady progress despite several challenges. The university has three students under the programme, one PhD and two MSc candidates, all based at Makerere University. Their research focuses on UAV-based agricultural data collection and honeybee diversity in South Sudan. Key achievements include the procurement and testing of drones, training of drone operators, and successful, but logistically-difficult data collection in remote and insecure areas. The project has faced setbacks due to irregular meetings, slow student progress following the expiry of MSc contracts, and the cancellation of an outreach activity after the death of the Ministry of Agriculture’s focal person. Although Juba was scheduled to host the 2024 annual meeting, this was not possible due to logistical constraints. Mr Oyo expressed hope that before the project concludes, the consortium will meet in Juba to experience the university’s environment and ongoing work.

Summary of presentation: University of Juba Partner Progress Report

Presenter: Emmanuel Oyo, Coordinator, Academic Project, University of Juba – School of Applied and Industrial Sciences

Project team and management:
At the university level, the project is coordinated by Mr. Oyo, supported by a gender focal person. Financial management is handled by the Directorate of Finance, while overall oversight lies with the Directorate of Internationally Funded Projects.

Student Progress:

• PhD Student (Ben Khemis) – Work Package 1: Algorithmic Optimisation for Data Transmission, Scheduling, and Flight Path for UAVs in Agricultural Sensor Networks.
• MSc Student (Oswaha Mathew Joseph) – Work Package 1: Development of an Efficient Path Planning Algorithm for UAV Wireless Sensor Networks in Agricultural Data Collection.
• MSc Student (Alison Lokeris) – Work Package 3: Diversity of Honeybee Species in the Equatorial Region of South Sudan.

Key Activities (2023–2025):

• Procurement and testing of drones for agricultural data collection in 2023.
• Drone operator training sessions successfully conducted.
• A data collection exercise by MSc student Alison in South Sudan, which was notably challenging and costly due to insecurity, poor roads, and the remoteness of beekeeping communities.
• A project team visit to the University of Juba, during which PIs and coordinators met with university administration and discussed project progress and challenges.

Challenges:

1. Lack of Regular Project Meetings – making it difficult to track implementation and progress.
2. Slow Student Progress – two MSc students’ contracts expired in 2024; they continue research without project funding.
3. Outreach Setbacks – a planned visit to beekeepers, organised with the Ministry of Agriculture, was cancelled following the death of the Director of Food Security, who was the project’s focal person.
4. Missed Hosting Opportunity – University of Juba was meant to host the 2024 annual meeting, but logistical and security constraints prevented this.

Remarks:
Mr. Oyo expressed optimism that the consortium would one day convene in Juba before the project concludes, to experience firsthand the work and environment at the University of Juba.