March 11-14, 2019 | Nairobi, Kenya

The Association of African Universities is inviting stakeholders to its 3rd Workshop on Research Leadership, Communication, Partnerships and Collaboration.

Research is fundamental for Africa because it is an important source of new knowledge and provides solutions to pressing challenges. There is a need to strengthen Research Leadership so that more resources can be channelled to strengthen research and support African researchers to conduct relevant research.

Universities in Africa continue to be challenged to focus on relevant and demand driven research. If universities are going to do this effectively they must have the capacities to engage communities, work with industry and manage multi-stakeholder relationships. This has an impact on how universities work and how they position themselves to respond to pressing societal problems.

Significant financial and human resources are spent conducting research. However, because of ineffective communication of research findings by researchers – the intended beneficiaries of the research don’t always get to know about it. It is crucial that researchers develop skills to effectively communicate research findings for impact and uptake by its most needed stakeholders.  There is a plethora of emerging research communication tools that researchers could employ.

Strategic Partnerships and Collaboration are key for universities in the 21^st century and beyond. The African Universities need to learn how to nurture, identify and strengthen mutually beneficial partnerships. They need to understand how they can position themselves / brand themselves to attract beneficial collaborations. No university can exist as an island and be able succeed in its objectives. Therefore, building capacities for key staff in universities to advance strong partnerships and collaborations is fundamental to the success of African universities.

WORKSHOP OBJECTIVES

The Association of African Universities (AAU) Secretariat hosted the inaugural workshop on Research Communication & Commercialisation in May 2018 at the AAU Secretariat in Accra, Ghana, and the second edition in Livingstone, Zambia in collaboration with the Africa Centre of Excellence for Infectious Diseases of Humans and Animals (ACEIDHA), of the University of Zambia.

The workshop focuses on:

1. Developing the Research Leadership Skills of Researchers
2. Building capacities for Demand Driven Research Approaches
3. Discussing strategies for disseminating Research findings and Enhancing Researchers’ Online Visibility
4. Developing capacities for strategic Partnerships and Collaboration

TARGET PARTICIPANTS

This workshop targets the following participants from universities in Africa and from the Africa Centers of Excellence:

1. Research Directors from higher education institutions
2. All researchers in higher education institutions (both public and private)
3. Academic Staff – Deans, professors, lecturers
4. Research consultants
5. Researchers from national Research Councils and Science Granting Councils
6. Directors of Departments from the Ministries of Higher Education, Science, technology, etc

STYLE OF WORKSHOP DELIVERY

The objectives of the workshop will be achieved through lead lectures, skills practice activities, guided feedback, and intensive participant interaction over carefully selected cases and other materials in a process facilitated by experienced Resource Persons.

WORKSHOP FEES

This is a fee-based workshop – we will charge US$300 for AAU member institutions and US$400 for Non-AAU member institutions. The registration fees cover the facilitators costs, workshop materials and conference package including certificates, tea/coffee and lunch for the five days of the workshop. 

Participants are responsible for other costs such as flight, accommodation and upkeep.

CERTIFICATION

All participants who undergo the training course will be awarded certificates of participation by the AAU at the end of the workshop.

Registration – https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/rescom3

Contact – Felicia Kuagbedzi – fnkrumah@aau.org | +233 246425147 | Edith Laari -elaari@aau.org

Link to photos from Previous Workshop – https://www.flickr.com/photos/134073620@N02/albums/72157696339034190