Abidjan, July 5, 2025 – Doctoral student Abdoul Rahim Falk Ky, enrolled at Nangui Abrogoua University (UNA), will represent Côte d’Ivoire at the international final of the “My Thesis in 180 Seconds” (MT180) competition, which will take place in Bucharest, Romania, from October 1 to 3, 2025.

The winner stood out by winning first place in the national final of the competition, thanks to a brilliant three-minute presentation on the topic: “Adaptation and productivity of cashew trees facing drought and sunlight in the Ivorian cashew basin.”

The event was held on Thursday, July 3, 2025, in Amphitheater A of Félix Houphouët-Boigny University.

In addition to the first prize, Abdoul Rahim Falk Ky also won the People’s Choice Award. As such, he will represent Côte d’Ivoire in the international phase of the competition and was awarded a cheque worth 1.5 million CFA francs, generously offered by the First Lady, Mrs. Dominique Ouattara, patron of this edition.

The second prize was awarded to doctoral student Yeo Yacouba from Félix Houphouët-Boigny University for his work on “the study of Abidjan’s sands for artisanal glass production.” The third prize went to Kadjo Somala Rebecca, also from Nangui Abrogoua University, who presented a topic on “the creation of high-yield hybrid cashew varieties.”

The “My Thesis in 180 Seconds” competition is an initiative of the Agence universitaire de la francophonie (AUF), in collaboration with the Directorate General for Research and Innovation, as well as three Ivorian public universities.

The AUF country representative, Mrs. Jocelyne Bosson née One, warmly congratulated the winners and expressed hope to see Côte d’Ivoire shine internationally during this competition. She also expressed deep gratitude to the First Lady for her invaluable support, which allows Côte d’Ivoire to remain competitive in this prestigious contest.

The Chief of Staff to the First Lady, Mrs. N’Da Bindé Nadia Flora, conveyed Mrs. Dominique Ouattara’s greetings to all candidates and encouraged them to persevere on this path of excellence. She reaffirmed the First Lady’s ongoing commitment to supporting such initiatives.

This event helps promote scientific research in the participating countries and, more broadly, values the global Francophone scientific community.