2ND CARTA VICE CHANCELLOR'S MEETING CARTA 2ND VICE CHANCELLORS MEETING REPORT | Page 22

© Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA) & University of Nairobi (UoN)
necessary. There is also need to create space for PhD students for research and
accommodation and creation of an eco-system that allows universities to achieve their
objectives.
4. African politicians seem not to see universities as a priority for research funding. This hampers
the progress of universities. They forget universities need capital and funding for research
activities. Governments should direct development partners to finance research activities in
universities.
5. The ecosystem around the centres of excellence must be kept alive for the research centres of
excellence to survive. Universities cannot do it on their own, but collectively with support
from Governments, they can get support from development partners.
6. Consortiums speak about systemic and ecosystem issues with universities and are likely to get
funding then direct it to universities rather than development partners funding universities
directly. Universities should therefore consider collaborating and forming consortia like
CARTA.
Prof. Peter M.F. Mbithi – Vice-Chancellor, University of Nairobi
1.
The factors under consideration in the 60s and now are different therefore there is need to
readjust and rethink on PhD training. Adjustment is where the problem comes; adjustments
can only be done based on what resources are available.
2. Are universities able to document how much it costs to run for instance, a science lab? There
should be evidence to justify the overhead costs indicated in the budgets shared