Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
The
African Network of Scientific and Technological Institutions (ANSTI),
established a biannual conference of Vice-Chancellors, Deans of Science,
Engineering and Technology (COVIDSET) as a forum for university leaders
responsible for science and engineering education to meet and dialogue on
strategic issues in science and engineering education.1 COVIDSET is
a forum both for the exchange of ideas and experiences as well as for the
sensitization of university leaders on trends in science and engineering
education in the region and globally.
The
conference provides a platform for university leaders, policymakers,
development partners, international scientific and engineering networks and the
private sector to exchange ideas, examine challenges and opportunities, explore
solutions and forge ahead to ensure the relevance of these fields in our new
and changing world”.2 Organisations and agencies involved in Higher
Education and the promotion of Science and Technology in Africa are also
invited to participate in the conference.
The
first edition, COVIDSET 2005, was held in Accra, Ghana, from 15-17 November
2005. The 7th
African Regional Conference of Vice Chancellors and Deans of Science,
Education, Engineering and Technology (COVIDSET) was just hosted by Bindura
University of Science Education Zimbabwe in collaboration with UNESCO and ANSTI
from the 20 to 21 November 2019. The theme of the conference was “Promoting Innovation and the
Industrialisation of Africa through Quality STEM education”. It took place
at Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
Interestingly, the Association of
Commonwealth Universities (ACU) participated prominently at the conference. Johnny
Ogunji, Ben Prasadam-Halls and Verity Buckley contributed a paper titled “Strengthening Research in Africa and
Improving the Competences of African Researchers: Lessons from Association of
Commonwealth Universities (ACU) Projects in Sub-Saharan Africa”. The paper
was put together to address Objective 2 of the conference: “Strengthening/Enhancing capacity in Science, Technology, Engineering and
Mathematics Education to achieve the New Development agendas (African Union
Agenda 2063, STISA 2024); (Linkages and Partnership, Research funding, relevant
programmes, Human Capital development, Value addition)”.
The African Union (AU) Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa 2024 (STISA-2024) places science, technology and innovation at the epicentre of Africa’s socio-economic development and growth. The STISA-2024 is the first of the ten-year incremental phasing strategies to respond to the demand for science, technology and innovation to impact across critical sectors such as agriculture, energy, environment, health, infrastructure development, mining, security and water among others. The strategy is firmly anchored on six distinct priority areas that contribute to the achievement of the AU Vision. These priority areas are: Eradication of Hunger and Achieving Food Security; Prevention and Control of Diseases; Communication (Physical and Intellectual Mobility); Protection of our Space; Live Together- Build the Society; and Wealth Creation.
The African Union (AU) Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa 2024 (STISA-2024) places science, technology and innovation at the epicentre of Africa’s socio-economic development and growth. The STISA-2024 is the first of the ten-year incremental phasing strategies to respond to the demand for science, technology and innovation to impact across critical sectors such as agriculture, energy, environment, health, infrastructure development, mining, security and water among others. The strategy is firmly anchored on six distinct priority areas that contribute to the achievement of the AU Vision. These priority areas are: Eradication of Hunger and Achieving Food Security; Prevention and Control of Diseases; Communication (Physical and Intellectual Mobility); Protection of our Space; Live Together- Build the Society; and Wealth Creation.
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| Participants to the 7th African Regional Conference of Vice Chancellors and Deans of Science, Education, Engineering and Technology (COVIDSET) in Zimbabwe |
While
reading the paper, Johnny Ogunji presented the outcome of several projects of
ACU, targeted at strengthening research in Africa and improving the competences
of African Researchers.
Some of these include: The Nairobi process, the Structured Training for African
Researchers (STARS) project and the Climate Impacts Research Capacity and
Leadership Enhancement in Sub-Saharan Africa programme (CIRCLE). He pointed out
that ACU through CIRCLE worked with participating institutions
to develop better professional development systems for early career research
staff via the CIRCLE Institutional Strengthening Programme (ISP). To make the
engagement of researchers more effective, the CIRCLE lens was applied to the
Vitae Researcher Development Framework (RDF) to guide the wider programme.
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| Prof. Dr Johnny Ogunji presenting the ACU paper |
The Vitae
RDF is an internationally recognized framework for the development of
researchers’ competencies, encompassing the diversity of skills required to
create excellent research with impact. In order to share learning from
CIRCLE, a series of Six ISP Good Practice Guides outlining how to
design, deliver and monitor an ISP at any institution were produced. On the
other hand, while prosecuting STARS, ACU developed a robust, high quality series of nine online modules
to universities across the developing world. The courses covered
topics such as identifying your research niche, finding funding, managing
research projects, time management, building effective collaborations and
partnerships, communicating findings to non-academic audiences, academic ethics
and research supervision. This will help to bolster the next generation of
academic staff in Africa and strengthen the long-term vitality of their
research and teaching.
In addition to the paper presentation Johnny
Ogunji took part in a panel discussion of the Conference theme. During these
presentations he emphasised the importance of Universities and researchers in
Africa to key into and make use of the RDF as a very important instrument that will
improve technical and professional competencies of researchers. He also
stressed that institutions should adopt the Institutional Strengthening Program
(ISP) of ACU to make real progress and enhance science, technology and
innovation to bring about Africa’s socio-economic development and growth. He invited any University that needs help from
ACU to indicate interest since ACU is willing to give assistance.
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| Prof. Dr Johnny Ogunji participating in the panel discussion at the conference |
The Organizers were very excited by the participation
of ACU in the Conference. During the vote of thanks, the organizers thanked the
ACU alongside other companies and institutions for supporting the Conference. Prof.
Dr Johnny Ogunji at the end of the conference was granted an interview with the
Zimbabwe Broadcasting Coorpration where he further advanced the course of ACU.
It was a good thing that ACU participated
at the Conference. Many attending Universities have indicated interest to
become members of ACU in due course. ACU is appreciated for sponsoring Johnny
Ogunji to the Conference.
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1https://www.ansti.org/index.php/covidset-reports
2https://www.scidev.net/global/education/feature/building-a-brighter-future-for-african-researchers.html
