2ND CARTA VICE CHANCELLOR'S MEETING CARTA 2ND VICE CHANCELLORS MEETING REPORT | Page 54

© Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA) & University of Nairobi (UoN)
GROUP 3: ACCOUNTABILITY
Participants
1. Prof. Prof Sharon Fonn – CARTA Co-Director – Chairing
2. Prof. Charles Larson, National Coordinator, Canadian Coalition for Global Health Research
(CCGHR)
3. Prof Philip Mbithi – Vice Chancellor, University of Nairobi
4. Dr. Anne Khasakhala – Director, PSRI and University of Nairobi CARTA Focal person
5. Mr. Emmanuel Otukpa – CARTA M&E
6. Prof. Osman Sankoh – Executive Director of Indepth Network
7. Dr. Anne Khisa – CARTA Graduate, University of Nairobi, Session - Rapporteuring
Chair introduced the session goals and made following remarks:
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A common understanding and potential solutions to the problem in research in Africa is
needed;
African led initiatives to talk for the themselves, directing and influencing our own future;
Meeting intends to draft an editorial of about 1000 words from VCs afternoon session with
VCs and heads of partner institutions;
Differentiation on 3 fronts;
o Universities within country
o Fees
o Staff
Questions that should be answered are: Why should anybody invest in universities? Can
universities be accountable for money, and research generation and dissemination?
What is accountability? Is it only as pertains to universities?
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It should be what is reasonable – in terms reporting time frames;
If research is important, what can CARTA deliver?
initial research (Fred) There is a problem in African universities in terms of holding staff
accountable, especially for moonlighting
The research problem is there is no particular research infrastructure and maintenance that
excites people enough to conduct research. E.g. the university has no single electron
transmission microscope! (Prof Mbithi) the same to having good labs in microbiology etc. lack
of equipment and facilities to inspire an academic research environment. If you can’t keep a
good environment, you can’t excite and keep academics – there could be brain drain out, or
within, in form of not excited academics.
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Training, retraining, reskilling and new ways of communicating and handling data is
also insufficient
The above 2 are because of lack of funds
30% is what goes into research (less than the wage bill)
UON is getting research grants through collaboration
Government may never be able to fund research at the university; seeking partnerships and
developing infrastructure are actively being sought.
 Universities can and do deliver under difficult circumstances; but donors may not be aware of
the challenges universities have. Infrastructure is also an issue.
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CARTA’s 2 nd Vice Chancellor’s Meeting –Report of meeting proceedings – July 10-11, 2017