Building Research Management Excellence through Capacity Building in West Africa

As part of our Advancing Research Management (ARM) initiative supported by the Gates Foundation, WARIMA organised a five-day course on Research Management in Dakar, Senegal, from 9th to 13th December 2024. This intensive training program brought together a diverse cohort of institutional leaders, researchers, research management professionals, finance staff, communications personnel, and early career scientists, creating a dynamic learning environment that fostered cross-functional collaboration and knowledge sharing.

The course was strategically designed to equip participants with essential skills and competencies needed to effectively facilitate the delivery of research and innovation management functions at their respective institutions. Through a combination of interactive workshops, case studies, and practical exercises, participants engaged with core research management principles, best practices, and emerging trends that are shaping the field across West Africa.

The curriculum addressed critical areas including research project planning and implementation, grant management and compliance, financial oversight of research activities, research communications and dissemination strategies, and institutional capacity building. Participants also explored innovative approaches to research administration, stakeholder engagement, and quality assurance processes that enhance research outcomes and institutional performance.

The multi-disciplinary composition of the participant group enriched the learning experience, enabling finance professionals to better understand research workflows, communications staff to develop more effective research dissemination strategies, and early career scientists to gain insights into the broader research management ecosystem. This cross-functional approach used through this training will contribute to ensuring that participants return to their institutions with a comprehensive understanding of how different roles contribute to successful research management.

The training represents a significant milestone in our ARM initiative, which aims to strengthen research management capabilities across West African institutions through targeted capacity building, knowledge transfer, and strategic partnerships. By investing in professional development opportunities that span multiple career levels and functional areas, the program contributes to building sustainable research management systems that can support high-quality research and innovation throughout the region.

The knowledge and skills gained through this program will have lasting impact on institutional research capabilities and contribute to the broader goal of strengthening West Africa’s research infrastructure.