2ND CARTA VICE CHANCELLOR'S MEETING CARTA 2ND VICE CHANCELLORS MEETING REPORT | Page 50

© Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA) & University of Nairobi (UoN)
7. There has to be a link between development and research. Proper justification should be in
place to support all research project;
8. A group of political leaders should be selected carefully to become the champions of funding
for universities by governments. It was suggested that Thabo Mbeki, Obasanjo, and the
President of Mauritius seek an appointment with President Paul Kagame to get buy in on the
need for government research funding. The team visiting President Kagame to include
Ministers of Science and Technology, two VCs & Prof. Phil Cotton. President Kagame to
further create contact with the World Bank president who has immense influence on funding
research (The group suggested that Dr. Fred Golooba to engage President Kagame on this);
9. African universities’ VCs to can make a call to identified political leaders and sell to them the
need for government to offer substantial funding to African universities. This way, it will be
easier to get support and buy-in by African governments;
10. Research institutes survive around an ecosystem that does not survive if funding ends. It is
therefore necessary for funding to be directed to Universities directly instead of funding
satellite institutions which most funders prefer funding because they find universities to be too
big;
11. University staff should not be appointed on the basis of their publications alone. Their
supervision level should also be considered. How do universities create opportunities to bring
expertise back to the universities? Universities should work closely with research institutions
like APHRC so that their students can conduct research on the institution’s data. These
research institutions can also offer support in the students’ research journey. Universities
should however develop policies to promote such partnerships.
In conclusion, the group noted there was no link between research centres and universities in Africa,
hence synergies and areas of intersection should be sought. Funding mechanisms also need to be
reviewed so that any eminent challenges are dealt with appropriately. Finally, there is need to create
a Trans-Africa research agency to engage with external partners. It was suggested that CARTA should
plan for a writing retreat for finalization on the paper.
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CARTA’s 2 nd Vice Chancellor’s Meeting –Report of meeting proceedings – July 10-11, 2017