Since its creation in 2004, the Cameroon Forum for Biological Sciences (CAFOBIOS) has been promoting life sciences in various domains (health, food, agriculture and environment), with the aim of providing innovative responses to fundamental challenges.
The objectives of CAFOBIOS are (i) to create a forum for the exchange and sharing of ideas and experiences between scientists and researchers in life sciences in Cameroon and worldwide; (ii) to organize capacity-building workshops, seminars and academic and cultural meetings; (iii) to publish scientific magazines, journals and books to promote education and research in life sciences. To achieve these objectives, CAFOBIOS is involved in two major activities: the publication of a peer-reviewed journal named Cameroon Journal of Experimental Biology (CaJEB), and the organization of regular scientific workshops and conferences. CAFOBIOS is very close to the University of Dschang, where most of its founding members are based. However, the actions of this organization are more widespread and have certainly contributed to the influence of higher education and scientific research in Cameroon and around the World.
Efforts are ongoing to raise nationally and internationally the profile of this scientific society, in particular by seeking collaborations with other societies around the world. Through our focal points, CAFOBIOS is now active on 10 campuses of 11 Cameroon state universities and in some private higher education institutes in Cameroon, as well as in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal and Chad.
The ultimate aim of all these activities is to contribute to the establishment of a scientific culture in Cameroon and the sub-region, and to enhance the daily efforts of researchers by encouraging initiatives and frameworks for transforming their results for the well-being of people.
CAFOBIOS has been regularly publishing original articles in its CaJEB journal since 2005, and to date over 170 articles have already been published. In terms of scientific leadership, CAFOBIOS organizes training and mentoring sessions to strengthen the capacities of its members, and to provide younger scientists with the spark they need to make a name for themselves in their fields of research. It has also set up a biannual conference platform, the Life Science Conference (JSV). About hundreds ~300) communications are presented during each JSV edition.
Since the first JSV held in 2008 (58 participants) with the theme entitled Life Sciences and Sustainable Development, seven other editions have followed, such as 2009, 2011, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2021 and 2023 (300 participants) on themes as diverse as possible, nevertheless centered on human health, animal health and plant health in an interdependence linked to that of their ecosystems.
CAFOBIOS has come a long way, with its ups and downs, sometimes influenced by national and global currents and events, but generally standing on an upward trajectory. It therefore seems necessary to make a point break for self-judgment on what has been done so far. The celebration of the twentieth anniversary of CAFOBIOS through the organization of the 9th Life Science Conference (JSV2025) is an ideal opportunity to make the overall of two decades of existence and to brand perspectives. It is also an opportunity to pay tribute to the entire scientific community, our partners and collaborators, for their support in training generations of researchers dedicated to exploring the mysteries of life. It is clear that during the development of CAFOBIOS, the environment has undergone many changes, resulting in the development of infectious and non-transmissible diseases, drug resistance, loss of biodiversity, reduced of nutritional quality, reduced resilience of food systems and the cross-fertilization of cultures and traditions. The development of technologies has added another layer, which is much appreciated. The 20th anniversary of CAFOBIOS will also be an opportunity for “Cafobiotists” to take a look at their contribution to mitigating the impact of these mutations in living environments and behaviors on life. Therefore, the theme of JSV2025 is: “Cameroon Forum for Biological Sciences (CAFOBIOS): 20 years Serving the Life Sciences” and participants will discuss the following sub-themes:
- Drug Discovery;
- Bioinformatics and Artificial Intelligence;
- Human health, Environmental Health, animal Health and Plant Health;
- Life Sciences, Multiculturalism and Endogenous Knowledge;
- Food Systems.