15th Annual Conference and Workshops: Promoting Research Management Strategy
The University of Lagos hosted the 15th WARIMA Annual Conference and Workshops on the theme “Research and Innovation Management – From Operations to Strategy.” Organised in collaboration with WHO TDR, ESSENCE on Health Research Initiative, African Centre of Excellence for Drug Research, Herbal Medicine Development and Regulatory Science (ACEDHARS), Inqaba Biotec, MRC Unit The Gambia at LSHTM and Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), the Conference was held from 31st January to 1st February 2024 at the Tayo Aderinokun Lecture Theater, University of Lagos. It brought together members of WARIMA, researchers, research managers and academics from across West Africa and other stakeholders in research management.
Delivering the welcome remarks, Deputy Vice Chancellor – Academic and Research, University of Lagos, Professor Bolanle Oboh expressed delight in hosting this year’s event at the University. She welcomed the delegates on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, to the University and urged them to take advantage of the opportunity to network and build links for future collaboration.
Delivering his address, this year’s keynote speaker, Professor Gordon Awandare, Pro-Vice Chancellor – Academic And Student Affairs at the University of Ghana and the Founding Director of the West African entre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), spoke on the topic “Research and Innovation Management in African Universities and Research Institutions – From Operations to Strategy.”
Professor Awandare emphasised the significance of building a progressive research management system that responds to current trends and realities. “We must draw inspiration from best practices around the world, while adapting them to suit our peculiar environments in Africa. This is how our systems can respond to existing research needs and contributing to addressing challenges faced by the continent” he said.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Dembo Kanteh, President of WARIMA expressed the Association’s appreciation of all partners who contributed to the successful organisation of this year’s Conference and Workshops and extended WARIMA’s gratitude to the University of Lagos for hosting the event. “We recognise the invaluable support of the University of Lagos for hosting us this year and for their dedicated commitment throughout the planning process” he said.
Mr. Kanteh used the occasion to highlight the need for increased efforts to promote and maintain a functional research management ecosystem on the continent. “We recognise that the challenges in research management in Africa are numerous and the solutions are not simple. However, we are making progress in infrastructural development, systemic changes, increased advocacy for research funding & communication” he said. Mr. Kanteh also spoke on the Association’s programs geared towards assisting in amplifying research within the region and called for increased research collaboration and leveraging innovative approaches.
The conference also entailed parallel sessions on various topics to create room for cross-institutional exchange and learning, as well as explore potential opportunities to amplify research impact and mobilise research funding. The conference was preceded by Pre-Conference Workshops from 29th to 30th January 2024.
At the end of the conference, the Association held its 2024 Annual General Meeting, during which the executive was returned for another team of 2 years, with Professor Safiatou Niare Doumbo appointed Francophone Vice President.
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