2ND CARTA VICE CHANCELLOR'S MEETING CARTA 2ND VICE CHANCELLORS MEETING REPORT | Page 56

© Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA) & University of Nairobi (UoN)
Conclusion
CARTA plays the role of accountability by checking on activities of all network members. The
individual universities should leverage on this and build an internal mechanism of ensuring there is
accountability.
GROUP 4: LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT CAPACITY
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Prof. Goran Bondjers, Representative, University of Gothenburg - Chairing
Prof. Philip Cotton, Vice Chancellor, University of Rwanda
Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede, Vice Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University
Prof. Lydia Njenga, Director, Graduate School, UoN
Dr. James Kisia, Director, Research Capacity Strengthening Division, APHRC
Mr. John Alonge, CARTA Fellow, University of Nairobi
Ms. Kellen Karimi, CARTA Fellow, University of Nairobi
Mr. Justus Musasiah, CARTA Fellow and Program Administration Officer, CARTA -
Rapporteuring
Challenges facing leadership and management
It was thought that the major problem in African universities is lack of the capacity to administer
research. Staff have to be trained to administer research (Administrators, Deans and Heads of
Research). There is also need for university staff to build skills useful for creating relationship with
oversees management.
The other problem highlighted is interference with processes and procedures by the government.
There is need to see how these problems can be solved and this may require training.
How do universities look at leadership?
Universities look at leadership dependent on the person or institution. Staff tends to look at
leadership as the person at the top, which is wrong. There is need to ensure that leadership training
comes from a very basic level to the top (all levels of universities).
Who is making these decisions?
This depends on the need. For example, sometimes funders may have given requirements that make
universities take certain decisions on leadership. But universities should not wait for funders’ support.
The VC also has a big role to play as he/she appoints or has an influence on appointments made and
can give requirements for training upon appointment.
Leadership and management is distributed across the board in different university departments.
Universities must build the capacity of people within the leadership costs and actual costs. This could
be around procurement, laboratory, and soft skills such as communication. Universities need to
convince funders that they operate in a way that does not cause bias for work.
Universities also have a challenge of not using equipment that they obtain through grants. Some
universities have mitigated this challenge by having a central science lab where all the equipment that
has to be bought is crosschecked to indicate whether there is need for the equipment. There are
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CARTA’s 2 nd Vice Chancellor’s Meeting –Report of meeting proceedings – July 10-11, 2017