According to the Chinese press, quoted by Angop, Valdemar Tchipenhe graduated in 2018 in Biotechnology from Zhejiang Normal University in China - where he currently resides.
When he finished his degree, he was hired by the Chinese company BGI Genomics. In January, the company would eventually invite the Angolan to join the team of experts who would try to fight the new coronavirus.
In a first phase, BGI Genomics was able to develop test kits that detect the virus in real time, and they also created a high-precision sample preparation system and kits to extract RNA samples that complement the covid-19 tests.
The company will now focus on the African continent. According to Angop, Valdemar Tchipenhe was hired about a month ago to join a Chinese team that is trying to implement laboratories in some African countries. "The fact that I left Africa, I learned biotechnology in China and now I am here helping other African people in the face of the covid-19 pandemic, with the knowledge I acquired during my six years of study and work in China, makes me feel as if I have added responsibilities on my shoulders," said the Angolan in an interview with the Chinese channel China Vision.
The young man also spoke by telephone with the Angolan ambassador to China. During the conversation, Valdemar Tchipenhe said he wanted to take this technology to his home country.
However, for now, he said he does not plan to return to Angola so soon because he wants to continue in China to "raise" his knowledge. "The best way to broaden my horizon is to be abroad, learning as much as possible, expanding my connections and when I am better prepared, I will return to make my contribution," he said.
"Honestly, I didn't know much about the world outside Angola until I went to China at 17. China was the first country I traveled to. It was also the first time I left my comfort zone," he added.
To date, the team - consisting of nine specialists - has set up two laboratories in Livreville, Gabon, and one in Lomé, Togo. These laboratories can carry out up to five thousand tests a day and get the results within 24 hours.
