© Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa( CARTA) & University of Nairobi( UoN)
Contributions by northern partners
Prof. Bondjers indicated that the CARTA Northern partners had made numerous contributions to CARTA and this includes planning for the program activities, facilitating the CARTA programs, training institutions on what CARTA is all about and how it can benefit them, and organizing graduate workshops and grant writing sessions. The partners are also involved in developing course work, placement of CARTA fellows, sharing post doc opportunities, advising CARTA fellows, selection of fellows, fundraising with the office in Gothenburg and representation from northern partners in curriculum development and review meetings.
Reflection of Northern Partners contributions
Looking back, Prof. Bondjers pointed out that the Northern partners had played a key role in making the CARTA program successful. The partners contributed to network formation for the CARTA fellows and they had sourced for additional facilitators because most institutions have limited facilitators. Northern partners also provide facilitators for CARTA training events when need arises.
With the great work CARTA is doing, more universities are showing interest to come on board with Brown University being the latest CARTA Northern Partner Institution. However, there is now need to clarify the expectations and the role each partner plays. Other potential partners that have been approached include the Universities of Oslo and Bergen. Several organisations have also been approached regarding funding requests for CARTA.
Prof. Bondjers highlighted some of the challenges faced in supporting the program by Northern Partners including inability to always manage to find teacher replacements, focusing on individual requests, it is sometimes difficult to get responses from the NP focal persons and Fellows rarely include their supervisors in the communication about their requests.
Despite these highlighted challenges, CARTA Nothern Partners continue to play a critical role in supporting CARTA activities.
Benefits the Northern Partners
From this presentation, it came out clear that Northern Partners offer networks for collaborative studies, networks among younger scientists, access to research material to avoid fly in fly out research, recruitment of post docs, global health experiences and educational experiences for younger scientists and access to graduate workshops and supervisor trainings.
Contributions from the Northern Partners to CARTA
CARTA benefits from Northern Partners through teaching and facilitation of financial systems of different universities. Northern Partners also assist CARTA in developing applications for graduate workshops and institutional applications and opens up access to funding sources. In addition, the NP offer support in mentorship of CARTA fellows and offer opportunities for research collaboration.
What is in the University of Gothenburg?
The University of Gothenburg( UoG) on the other hand receives possibilities for recruitment of young promising scientists, material for research and a chance to build networks in Africa, as the fastest growing econmy and knowledge center globally. In addition, UoG gets an opportunity to meet competent collaborators in Africa and attend graduate workshops and supervisor trainings. Lastly, this is definately a chance for UoG to profile itself in Africa.
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CARTA’ s 2 nd Vice Chancellor’ s Meeting – Report of meeting proceedings – July 10-11, 2017