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Science Granting Councils Initiative 2023 Annual Forum and Global Research Council Meeting

Fostering Collaboration and Innovation in Sub-Saharan Africa

The upcoming Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) 2023 Annual Forum and Global Research Council (GRC) Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Meeting, set to take place from November 13th to 17th in Mombasa, Kenya, promises to be a significant gathering of science, technology, and innovation (STI) stakeholders.

Hosted by the National Research Fund, Kenya (NRF), this event provides a unique platform for high-level discussions and collaboration on critical STI themes.

The SGCI plays a pivotal role in strengthening Science Granting Councils (SGCs) in sub-Saharan Africa, enabling them to support research and evidence-based policies that contribute to economic and social development. This initiative, funded by a coalition of international partners, focuses on managing research, designing, and monitoring research programs, fostering knowledge exchange with the private sector, and creating partnerships within the scientific community.

The 2023 Annual Forum will feature a Masterclass on research funding flows, offering insights into the complex landscape of funding from various sources. It aims to provide concrete recommendations for SGCs to better manage research agendas and cultivate partnerships.

A core component of the event is the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) sessions. These sessions foster continuous learning and knowledge sharing among stakeholders, ensuring that the initiative remains evidence-based in its decision-making.

The Academic Symposium, co-hosted with the Africa Open Science Platform (AOSP), offers an opportunity to highlight projects funded by NRF Kenya and SGCI. It also focuses on open science and science communication, promoting networks among SGCI partners and beyond.

The GRC Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Meeting, an integral part of this event, facilitates collaboration among global funding agencies. It complements SGCI’s focus on strategic communication, knowledge uptake, and networking. By sharing experiences in the global network of science funders, the GRC raises the profile and visibility of science funders in Sub-Saharan Africa.

This event will bring together representatives from SGCs, SGCI Collaborating Technical Agencies, SGCI funders, and other invited guests. It offers a rich opportunity to drive STI innovation, collaboration, and policy discussions in the region.

The SGCI 2023 Annual Forum and GRC Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Meeting is a crucial step toward strengthening the STI landscape in sub-Saharan Africa and fostering international cooperation. Participants can look forward to engaging discussions, knowledge sharing, and the chance to shape the future of research and innovation in the region.

The venue will be at PrideInn Paradise Beach Resort, Convention Centre & Spa, located on Shanzu Beach Area, 20kms away from Mombasa town on the North Coast of Mombasa on the Indian Ocean Coastline.

Access

  • International and domestic flights into Moi International Airport Mombasa
  • Safari link access from Wilson Airport to Vipingo Ridge Airstrip distance: 500kms from Nairobi City/ 45minutes flight.
  • Train from Nairobi (SGR to Miritini Station) takes approximately 5hrs
  • Drive from Nairobi to the resort takes approximately 6hrs

Accomodation

Fully air conditioned, non-smoking rooms which comprise of different categories; Paradise Suites, Family rooms, Family suites,Deluxe rooms, Club  rooms and Superior rooms with different views; The garden, ocean, pools and safari themed aqua park (ashtray provided on the balconies and designated smoking areas). PWD rooms are also available on ground floor for easy access.
Check in time – 2.00pm
Check out time – 10.00am

Weather

The weather in Mombasa in November is very warm with a gentle breeze. The temperature on a typical day ranges from a high of 86°F (30°C) to a low of 77°F (25°C) at night. Of course, the high humidity will make it feel even hotter. The UV index will be high at this time of year, so protection against skin and eye damage is needed.

Electricity Supply

Kenya’s electricity supply runs at 240V, 50Hz AC. The standard sockets are of the British type (Type G), which means they take square-pinned plugs with three prongs. Therefore, you may need an adaptor for your devices if you come from a different region.

Covid 19
Covid restrictions have been lifted but it’s recommended to carry the certificate if available, please note below details:

  • All travelers arriving into the country through any point of entry shall no longer be required to show proof of either COVID-19 vaccination;
  • or a pre-departure COVID-19 test.

Yellow Fever Certificate
All travelers arriving in Kenya from countries where yellow fever is endemic should present a valid yellow fever certificate.

Visa

Visa application should be made from the link below after creating an account. https://evisa.go.ke

 
DateMeetingTarget Audience
Monday
13th November 2023

Whole day: SGCI Annual Forum(Masterclass)

Venue: ARABUKO 2

All delegates
Tuesday
14th November 2023

Whole day: SGCI Learning and
Reflection workshop

Venue: ARABUKO 2

All Councils, Collaborating Technical Agencies, SGCI
funders, Panel of Advisors,Initiative Management
Team(IMT), and other invited guests
Wednesday
15th November 2023

AM: SGCI governance(closed meetings)

  • SGCI Executive Committee (EC) meeting (VENUE: DODORI)
  • SGCI Panel of Advisors meeting (VENUE: DODORI)
  • SGCI Collaborating Technical Agencies meeting (VENUE: RASTANAWI)

SGCI Councils Committee meeting (VENUE: RASTANAWI)

Executive Committee, IMT,
Councils Committee (CC),
Panel of Advisors (POA).
CTAs

AM: AJ-CORE Funders Meeting

Venue: BONI

AJ -CORE Funders
PM: Site Visits -Kenya Marine and
Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI)
All Delegates
Thursday
16th November 2023

Whole day: Global Research
Council (GRC) Sub-Saharan Africa
Regional Consultative Meeting

Venue: SHIMBA

HORCs and invited guests

Whole day: SGCI Academic
Symposium

Venue: ARABUKO 2

SGCI Coordinators/invited
officials, invited SGC-affiliated
researchers, and
invited guests
Friday
17th November 2023

AM: Global Research Council (GRC) Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Consultative Meeting

Venue: SHIMBA

HORCs/representatives and invited guests

AM: SGCI Academic Symposium

Venue: ARABUKO 2

SGCI invited officials and
coordinators, invited SGCaffiliated
researchers, and
invited guests
PM: Long-term Europe – Africa WEF-Nexus (LEAWEF) Multilateral Research ProgrammeLEAWEF Funders
PM: Free afternoon

Download

DAY 1: MONDAY 13TH NOVEMBER 2023

08:45 – 17:45 SGCI ANNUAL FORUM (MASTERCLASS)

VENUE: ARABUKO 2

SGCI ANNUAL FORUM (Masterclass)

Theme: “Global Research Funding Flows in Africa”

08:00 – 08:45Arrival and registration

Session 1: Opening Ceremony

Chair: Prof. Robert Gateru, National Research Fund, Kenya Board of Trustees

08:45 – 08:55

Remarks by representatives of SGCI funders

Naser Faruqui, International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada, Chair of SGCI Executive Committee

Fran Davies, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), UK, Executive Committee member

08:55– 09:05

Remarks by a representative of SGCI Councils Committee

Yaya Sangare, Executive Secretary, FONSTI, Côte d’Ivoire

Gift A. Kadzamira, National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST), Malawi

09:05 – 09:15

Remarks by host

Prof. Dickson Andala, CEO, National Research Fund, Kenya

Prof. Ratemo Michieka, Chair, National Research Fund, Kenya Board of Trustees

09:15 – 09:25

Remarks by Principal Secretary, State Department of Higher Education and Research

Dr. Beatrice Inyangala

09:25 – 10:00

Speech by Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Education

Hon. Ezekiel Machogu

10:00 – 10:30GROUP PHOTO AND TEA/COFFEE BREAK

Session 2: Masterclass

Chair: Prof. Teboho Moja, Professor, Higher Education Program, New York University and SGCI Panel of Advisors

10:30 – 10:35

Introduction to the session and the authors

Dr Matthew Wallace, International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada

10:35 – 11:35

Presentation of the Masterclass paper: “Global Research Funding Flows in Africa

Prof. Johann Mouton, Centre for Research on Evaluation, Science and Technology (CREST), Stellenbosch University

Prof. Rodrigo Costas, Centre for Science and Technology Studies (CWTS),  Leiden University

Dr Heide Hackmann, Future Africa, University of Pretoria

Dr Gordon Akon-Yamga, Science and Technology Policy Research Institute (STEPRI)

 
11:35 – 12:15

Panel Discussion: Global Research Funding Flows in Africa: Global perspectives

Moderator: Dr Maggy Heinz, UK Collaborative on Development Research (UKCDR)

Valerie La Traverse, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC-CRSH), Canada

Dr Thomas Crawley, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), UK

Dr Fulufhelo Nelwamondo, National Research Foundation, South Africa

  
12:15 – 13:00

Panel Discussion: Global Research Funding Flows in Africa: Councils’ perspectives and experiences

Moderator: Dirce Madeira, Fundo Nacional de Investigação (FNI), Mozambique

Prof. Dickson Andala, National Research Fund (NRF), Kenya

Dr Amos Nungu, Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH), Tanzania

Dr Timothy Marango,  Research Council of Zimbabwe (RCZ), Zimbabwe

13:00 – 14:00LUNCH BREAK

Session 3: Breakout session: Global Research Funding Flows in Africa

Facilitators: Johann Mouton; Gordon Akon-Yamga; Heide Hackmann and Rodrigo Costas

14:00 – 15:15

Participants split into four working groups:

Group 1: Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal,

Group 2: Ghana, Malawi, Tanzania, Botswana, Nigeria

Group 3: Mozambique, Ethiopia, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Zambia

Group 4: Namibia, Uganda,  Sierra Leone, Rwanda

(Other participants are free to join any of the groups)

CREST team will guide the group discussions, but groups will nominate a rapporteur.

15:15 – 15:45Presentations from parallel working groups
15:45 – 16:15TEA/ COFFEE BREAK

Session 4: Plenary session and closing remarks

Chair: Dr Marcus Wilms, German Research Foundation (DFG), Germany

16:15 – 17:45

Plenary Discussion

Moderator: Dr Heide Hackmann, Future Africa, University of Pretoria

17:15 – 17:35

A Mentimeter exercise on key takeaways from the session and next steps

Prof. Johann Mouton, Centre for Research on Evaluation, Science and Technology (CREST), Stellenbosch University

Brief closing statement

Esperance Munganyinka, National Council for Science and Technology, Rwanda

END OF SESSION
18:30 – 20:00

NETWORKING COCKTAIL

VENUE: KONE KONE LOUNGE GROUNDS

All delegates are invited

   

 

DAY 2: TUESDAY, 14 NOVEMBER 2023

08:45 –17:30 SGCI LEARNING AND REFLECTION WORKSHOP

VENUE: ARABUKO 2

Workshop on Learning and Reflection

Theme: “How the SGCI is making a Difference for Africa’s Councils”

08:00 – 08:45Arrival and registration
 

Session 1: Plenary

Chair: Dr Ellie Osir, International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Kenya

09:00 – 09:10

Welcome remarks

Prof. Anicia Peters, National Commission on Research Science and Technology (NCRST), Namibia

09:10– 09:20

Workshop objectives, expected outcomes, and context

Prof. Rebecca Hanlin, University of Johannesburg, South Africa

09:20 – 09:35

The critical role of Learning and Reflection to SGCI’s work

Dr Ellie Osir, International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada

09:35– 10:00

Revised SGCI level DIMS (Data and Information Management System)

Prof. Kambidima Wotela, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa

10:00 – 10:30Discussion in plenary
10:30 – 11:00TEA/ COFFEE BREAK

Session 2: Council-level Data and Information Management System Improvements: Lessons Learned

Chair: Dr Martin Ongol, Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST), Uganda

11:00 – 12:00

Participants split into the groups below. The discussions will take the following format:

●     5-minute round robin in groups on the updates to DIMS undertaken during SGCI-2

●     25-minute discussion on what has worked well

●     25-minute discussion on what has not worked well

Group 1: Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, and Senegal

Group 2: Ghana, Malawi, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, and Nigeria

Group 3: Mozambique, Namibia, Ethiopia, and Kenya, and Rwanda

Group 4: Uganda, Zambia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe

(CTAs will split themselves between the four groups)

The Evi-Pol project team will act as session recorders, but groups will nominate someone to report back.

12:00 – 13:00Report back in plenary by groups (10 min each)
13:00 – 14:00LUNCH BREAK

Session 3: Panel Discussion: Peer-to-peer learning, support, and collaboration

Chair: Dr Dorothy Ngila, National Research Foundation, South Africa

14:00 – 14:20

Panel 1: Peer-to-peer learning experiences – Digitalization of grants management systems

Geoffrey Sempiri, Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST), Uganda

Atridah Mulonga, National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), Zambia

Luiza Mazarire, National Commission on Research Science and Technology (NCRST), Namibia

Speakers will respond to a series of questions received in advance on how their Council has learned from other Councils with respect to digitalization of GMS.  

14:20 – 14:40Discussion in plenary
14:40 – 15.00

Panel 2: Gender equality and inclusion-related peer-to-peer learning experiences

Prof. Kouamé Traoré, Le Fonds National de la Recherche et de l’Innovation pour le Développement (FONRID), Burkina Faso

Dr Annette Ouattara, Fonds pour la Science, la Technologie et l’Innovation (FONSTI), Cote d’Ivoire

Dr Kioko Mwania, National Research Fund (NRF), Kenya

Speakers will respond to a series of questions received in advance on how their Council has learned from others with respect to gender equality and inclusion (GEI).

15:00 – 15:20Discussion in plenary

Session 4: Stories of Change (Short stories on how the SGCI is making a difference to SGCI Councils)

Chair: Gift A. Kadzamira, National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST), Malawi

15:20 – 15:35

Story of Change 1: Sierra Leone

We will hear how the SGCI has stimulated the establishment of a National Council for Science and Technology (NCST) in Sierra Leone.

Prof. Jonas Redwood-Sawyerr, Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE)

15:35 – 15:50

Story of Change 2: Botswana

We will hear how the SGCI has supported the establishment of a National Research Fund (BNRF) in Botswana.

Abraham Mathodi, Ministry of Communications, Knowledge and Technology, Botswana

15:50 – 16:05

Story of Change 3: Ghana

We will hear how the SGCI has stimulated the operationalization of a National Research Fund.

Dr Cephas Mensah, Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology & Innovation (MESTI), Ghana

16:05 – 16:15Discussion in plenary
16:15 – 16:30

Story of Change 4: Tanzania

We will hear how impact studies are helping COSTECH to argue for more NFAST funding. Neema Tindamanyire, Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH), Tanzania

16:30 – 16:45

Story of Change 5: Senegal

We will hear how Senegal is reviewing its impact assessment activities as part of its MEL system updates.

Prof. Soukèye Dia Tine, Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation (MESRI) , Senegal

16:45 – 17:00Discussion in plenary

Session 5: Takeaways and closing remarks

Chair: Prof. Rebecca Hanlin, University of Johannesburg, South Africa

17:00 – 17:30

A mentimeter exercise on key takeaways from the workshop

Next steps overview

Prof. Kambidima Wotela, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa

Closing statements

Dr. Kjersti Thorkildsen, Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad), Norway

Mamusu Harry-Seshie, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), UK

END OF SESSION
19:00 – 21:30

DINNER

VENUE: Kone Kone Lounge

All delegates are invited

DAY 3: WEDNESDAY, 15 NOVEMBER 2023

09:00 –13:30: SGCI GOVERNANCE MEETINGS (Closed Meetings)

SGCI Executive Committee Meeting

VENUE: DODORI

SGCI Panel of Advisors Meeting

VENUE: DODORI

Collaborative Technical Agencies Meeting

VENUE: RASTANAWI

Councils Committee Meeting

VENUE: RASTANAWI

09:00 –10:0010:00 –11:3009:00 –11:0011:30- 13:00
13:00 – 14:00LUNCH BREAK

09.00 –13.00 HRS: 3rd AJ-CORE FUNDERS’ MEETING (Closed meeting)

VENUE: BONI

09: 00 –13:003rd AJ-CORE Funders’ Meeting
13:00 – 14:00LUNCH BREAK

 

14:00 –17:30: SITE VISIT – KENYA MARINE AND FISHERIES RESEARCH INSTITUTE (KMFRI)

VENUE: KMFRI HEADQUARTERS 

14:15 –15:00Travel to KMFRI
15:00 –15:45Guided tour of the KMFRI research infrastructure
15:45 –16.00GROUP PHOTO, REFRESHMENTS
16.00 –16.45Presentation of research potential and research activities implemented by KMFRI in collaboration with NRF KE, among other partners
END OF SESSION
16:45 –17:30Return to hotel

 

DAY 4: THURSDAY, 16 NOVEMBER 2023

09:00 – 16:45 SGCI ACADEMIC SYMPOSIUM

VENUE: ARABUKO 2

SGCI Academic Symposium
08:00 – 09:00Arrival and registration

PART I: Introductory Session

Dr. Roselida Owuor, Directorate of Research Science and Technology (DRST), Kenya

09:00 – 09:15

Welcoming and introductory remarks

Dr Samuel Tiriongo, National Research Fund, Kenya Board of Trustees

09:15 – 09:30

About the SGCI

Dr Prudence Makhura, National Research Foundation, South Africa

09:30 – 09:45

About the SGCI Academic Symposium

Dr Marcus Wilms,  German Research Foundation (DFG), Germany

Part II: Funded Projects Presentation Session

Dr Marcus Wilms, German Research Foundation (DFG), Germany

09:45 – 10:30

First Group: SGCI Funded Projects

PUCFPFP Research Project: Processing, upscaling and commercialisation of food products derived from underutilised fruits and plants in Mozambique and Namibia

(Dr Penny Hiwilepo-van Hal: University of Namibia and Dr Damião Nguluve: Agricultural Research Institute of Mozambique)

Locust4Industry Research Project: Development of safe mass rearing tools and value addition for the desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria Forskal) value chain in East Africa

(Prof. Joshua Ondura Ogendo: Egerton University and Prof Dorothy Nakimbugwe: Makerere University)

ReCaCaPA-BS: strengthening the capabilities and capacities of Burkinabe and Senegalese actors for the establishment of a sustainable system of production of knowledge and actions against chronic diseases in the elderly

(Dr Lamine Ndiaye: Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar and Dr Berthè Abdramane: Centre Muraz Research Institute)

10:30 – 11:00Q&A
11:00 – 11:30GROUP PHOTO AND  TEA/COFFEE BREAK

Part II: Funded Projects Presentation Session

Jacomijn Verbruggen-Zoutewelle, Dutch Research Council (NWO)

11:30 – 12:30

Second Group: Kenya National Projects

Project Title: Optimizing small-scale biogas technology for household energy and improvement of soil fertility within coffee dairy production systems

(Prof. Thomas Rewe: Pwani University)

Project Title: Improving smallholder farmers’ incomes through enhanced mango productivity, post-harvest technologies, value addition and marketing of mango products in Kwale, Lamu and Tana River Counties of Coastal Kenya

(Dr Finyange Pole: Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO))

Project Title: Commercialization of Cassava Value Chain for Improved Food and Nutritional Security – and Animal Feed Component

(Dr Vitalis Ogemah: Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST))

12:30 – 13:00Q&A
13:00 – 14:00LUNCH BREAK

Part II: Funded Projects Presentation Session

Matthijs Kallenberg, Dutch Research Council (NWO)

14:00 – 14:45

Third Group: SGCI Funded Projects

Project Title: Towards Technology Sustainability Through Upscaling and Commercialization of Biogas Generation in Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia

(Dr Mapereka Chagunda: Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST))

Project Title: Development and commercialization of sunflower oil mini-refinery technology to enhance productivity and income of small-scale edible oil processors

(Prof. Frederick Kahimba: Tanzania Engineering and Manufacturing Design Organization (TEMDO))

Project Title: Indigenous Microsymbionts for Food and Forage legumes: Deriving ecosystems services from Agricultural Biotechnology

(Prof. Nhamo Nhamo: Marondera University of Applied Science and Technology)

14:45 – 15:15Q&A

Part III: Funded Projects Interactive Poster Session

Dr Prudence Makhura, National Research Foundation, South Africa

15:15 – 17:30

Introducing and explaining Part III of the programme

Participants are invited to engage with project posters and principal investigators about the funded projects. See Poster Booklet for all posters.

END OF SESSION
18:00 – 21:00Site Visit to  Fort Jesus

 

DAY 4: THURSDAY, 16 NOVEMBER 2023

09:00 – 16:45 Global Research Council (GRC) Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Consultative Meeting

VENUE: SHIMBA

Theme: Effective Research Contributions Towards Sustainable Development

Moderators: Dr Dorothy Ngila, NRF South Africa and Dr Annette Ouattara, FONSTI Cote d’Ivoire

08:00 – 09:00Arrival and registration

Session 1: The GRC in the Sub-Saharan Africa Context

Chair: Dr Fulufhelo Nelwamondo, National Research Foundation, South Africa and SSA GRC Governing Board

09:00 – 09:30

Welcome, opening remarks and introductions

Prof Dickson Andala, National Research Fund, Kenya

Host, 2023 GRC SSA Africa Regional Meeting

09:30-10:00

Introduction and overview of the GRC

Prof Euclides de Mesquita Neto, FAPESP Brazil and GRC Executive Secretary

10:00-10:30

Effective research contributions towards sustainable development: GRC 2024 Discussion Paper

Prof Pélagie Theoua, Member of the Scientific Council of the Organization of the 2024 Annual Meeting, FONSTI Cote d’Ivoire

10:30-11:00

Keynote address

Prof. Vasey Mwaja, Editor-in-Chief, Kenya Academy of Sciences (KNAS) and Chairman, Secure Capital Investments Limited

11:00-11:30GROUP PHOTO AND TEA/COFFEE BREAK

Session 2: Research for Sustainable Development

Chair: Prof. Laban P. Ayiro, Vice-Chancellor of Daystar University, Kenya

11:30-13:00

Facilitated panel discussion on Research for Sustainable Development

1.       Dr Amos Nungu, Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH), Tanzania

2.       Prof.  Soukèye Dia Tine, Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation (MESRI) , Senegal

3.       Mugala Guest, National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), Zambia

4.       Mr. Osamu Kobayashi, Director, Department of International Affairs, Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) and co-chair, Multilateral Engagement Working Group.

Guiding Questions

1. What can we as funder do to ensure closer collaboration between societal actors/ stakeholders in the whole research process? What are the experiences with funding transdisciplinary research? How can closer collaboration be encouraged in funding schemes to encourage research on sustainability?

2.   How can funders balance the (societal) impact orientation of research for sustainable development and basic science? Can the two be reconciled?

3. How can funders support the transfer of knowledge into implementation? What is the role of research in developing solutions and concrete options for acting upon a problem? How strongly should this be promoted by research funders?

4. How can research appropriately consider complex interrelations between sustainability goals?

5.   What are the implications of more collaborative, use-oriented forms of research for sustainable development for research evaluation (proposal assessment)?

6. How can funders move from open research (consultation fees) to open access (publication fees)? How can funders support open access publications costs?

7.   Many research questions on sustainable development require transdisciplinary co-creation. However, it can also be critical and non-inclusive to reduce it to such research. What contribution can mono-disciplinary and/or non-collaborative research make?

13:00-14:00LUNCH BREAK

Session 3: Making Research Itself Sustainable

Chair: Prof. Nancy Mungai, Director,

 Research and Extension, Egerton University, Kenya

14:00-15:30

Facilitated panel discussion on Making Research Itself Sustainable

1.       Dr Martin Ongol, Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST), Uganda

2.       Prof. Kouamé Traoré, Le Fonds National de la Recherche et de l’Innovation pour le Développement (FONRID), Burkina Faso

3.       Prof. Anicia Peters, National Commission on Research Science and Technology (NCRST), Namibia

4.       Representative, GRC Research Assessment Working Group

Guiding Questions

1. What examples are there of research funders encouraging more sustainable research practices (e.g., DORA, Open Science, Publication Practices). Are there examples of where these have worked well? Are there areas where they have failed? What challenges have arisen where more sustainable research practices have been tried out?

2. To what extent do research funders reflect on whether their research evaluation systems sustainable research practices? How can research assessment systems evaluate interdisciplinarity and transdisciplinarity appropriately? How can research funders develop evaluation systems that are sensitive to the lessons of Goodhart’s Law and so, through changing evaluation systems, change the fundamental practices that can make research unsustainable? Are there any examples of where this is being done? Have they worked and if so, why not? What are the obstacles in evaluation systems? To what extent

3. Should research funders be actively encouraging change to achieve more sustainable research in research ecosystems more widely? Does doing this challenge the autonomy of universities and research institutes? Is it envisionable to develop an “”Athena Swann” charter for sustainability? Should holding such a charter be a condition for receiving research funding?

4. Should research councils require a sustainability impact assessment (SIA) to be completed for all research? For some types of research? How easy would it be to introduce SIAs? Would they make any difference? What would they have to look like to make a difference?

5.  To what extent are you aware of SDG-aligned research being supported by your organisation? Is there any routine collection of data on SDG-aligned research? Are there examples of specific SDG-aligned research calls? What worked well in these calls? What challenges did they pose for evaluation?

6.  What could individual responsibilities be in contributing toward sustainable development within research institutions and the research they conduct? Do research funders have a role in encouraging such individual responsibilities?

15:30-16:00TEA/COFFEE BREAK

Session 4: Making Sure Sustainability Science Matters

Chair: Prof. Ndirangu Kioni, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, Kenya

16:00-17:30

Facilitated panel discussion on Making Sure Sustainability Science Matters

1.       Dr Habtamu Abera Goshu, Ministry of Innovation and Technology (MiNT), Ethiopia

2.       Dr Cephas Mensah, Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology & Innovation (MESTI), Ghana

3.       Prof. Florêncio Maulano, Fundo Nacional de Investigação (FNI), Mozambique

4.       Representative, GRC Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion     Working Group

 Guiding Questions

1. Where do you see the key success factors for effective co-creation of sustainability research?

2. Are there promising models for building trust and mutual understanding between researchers, policymakers, and societal actors? What can we learn from them?

3.  Are there promising examples of enduring research-practice communities, or similar interfaces between scientists, practitioners, and decision makers? What can we learn from them? How to include members of society in the dialogue between researchers and policy actors?

4. Which key skills do researchers, policymakers and societal actors need to jointly define and address issues of sustainability? What are the specific requirements in the case of politically controversial or value-laden issues and which additional tensions arise with respect to scholar-activism?

17:30-17:45

Reflection and Closing Remarks

Dr Yaya Sangare, Fonds pour la Science, la Technologie et l’Innovation (FONSTI), Cote d’Ivoire and SSA Governing Board

18:00 – 21:00Tourists Site Visit to  Fort Jesus

DAY 5: FRIDAY, 17 NOVEMBER 2023

09:00 – 13:10 ACADEMIC SYMPOSIUM

VENUE: ARABUKO 2

SGCI Academic Symposium
08:00 – 09:00Arrival and registration

Part IV: Training for Funded Researchers

Dr Prudence Makhura, National Research Foundation, South Africa

09:00 – 09:30

Sharing of experiences in supporting SGCI funded projects, the different ways in which research management could be improved from the perspective of a research performing institution, ways in which funders can catalyse and support research management.

Prof. Tom Peter Migun Ogada, African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS)

09:30 – 10:30

Harnessing the Power of Storytelling to Enhance Dissemination and Research Uptake of public funded research. A science communication workshop presented by SciDev.Net.

Charles Wendo, SciDev.Net

10:30 – 11:00TEA/ COFFEE BREAK

Part IV: Training for Funded Researchers

Jacob Kamwaria Njagih, National Research Fund, Kenya

11:00 – 11:10

Leveraging the Africa Open Science Platform as a repository for SGCI-funded project outputs

Dr Nokuthula Mchunu, National Research Foundation, South Africa

11:10 – 11:30

UbuntuNet Alliance Open Science Platform Introduction

Dr Joanna Havemann, Founder of Africarxiv

11:30 – 13:00

Demonstration and training on the platform for researchers

Researcher to bring their own research data and outputs for the training

13:00 – 13:10

Reflections and closing remarks

Dr Marcus Wilms,  German Research Foundation (DFG), Germany

END OF ACADEMIC SYMPOSIUM
13:00-14:00LUNCH BREAK

 

DAY 5: Friday, 17 NOVEMBER 2023

09:00 – 13:00 GLOBAL RESEARCH COUNCIL (GRC) SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA REGIONAL CONSULTATIVE MEETING

VENUE: SHIMBA

Closed Meeting of the AHORCs, GRC Participating Organisations and GRC Working Groups

Theme: GRC Strategic Business

Moderators: Dr Dorothy Ngila, NRF South Africa and Dr Annette Ouattara, FONSTI Cote d’Ivoire

08:00 – 09:00Arrival and registration

Session 5: Consolidating the Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Meeting input for the International Steering Committee

Chair: Prof. Anicia Peters, National Commission on Research Science and Technology (NCRST), Namibia

09:00-09:30Summary of feedback and consensusSue Soal, Independent Consultant and Process Facilitator
09:30-09:40Reflection and EndorsementAll
09:40-09:50Next Steps on the 2023 Discussion Papers

Dr Annette Ouattara, FONSTI Cote d’Ivoire

Prof Euclides de Mesquita Neto, FAPESP Brazil

Session 6: GRC Working Groups

Chair: Gift A. Kadzamira, National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST), Malawi

09:50-10:20Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Working Group
10:20-10:50Responsible Research Assessment (RRA) Working Group
10:50-11:20

Multilateral Collaboration Working Group

Dr Prudence Makhura, National Research Foundation, South Africa

11:20 – 12:00TEA/COFFEE BREAK

Session 7: GRC Foresight Report

Chair: Dr Dorothy Ngila, NRF South Africa

12:00-12:15Introducing the GRC Foresight Report
12:15-13:00

Facilitated Discussion with Guided Questions

AHORCs share experiences, practices, and insights on the GRC engagement

Session 8: GRC Governance and Closing

Co-chairs: Dr Fulufhelo Nelwamondo and Dr Yaya Sangare, SSA GRC Governing Board

13:00-13:15Update on GRC governanceDr Fulufhelo Nelwamondo, SSA GRC Governing Board
13:15-13:20Support and participation in the GRC 2024 Annual MeetingDr Yaya Sangare, SSA GRC Governing Board
13:20-13:30

Closing Remarks

Dr Dickson Andala, NRF Kenya and Host 2023 SSA Regional Consultative Meeting

Prof Euclides de Mesquita Neto, FAPESP Brazil and GRC Executive Secretary

Dr Fulufhelo Nelwamondo, NRF South Africa and SSA GRC Governing Board

Dr Yaya Sangare, FONSTI Cote d’Ivoire and SSA Governing Board

END OF SESSION
13:00-14:00LUNCH BREAK
    

 

DAY 5: FRIDAY, 17 NOVEMBER 2023

13:30–15:30 LONG-TERM EUROPE – AFRICA WEF-NEXUS (LEAWEF) MULTILATERAL RESEARCH PROGRAMME (Closed meeting)

VENUE: ARABUKO 2

13: 30 –15:30Long-term Europe – Africa WEF-Nexus (LEAWEF) Multilateral Research Programme
END OF SESSION