Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-Rif) has implored Soroti University researchers on the importance of collaboration, developing high impact Research and innovations that address national development priorities.
This was revealed during the training workshop organised by the secretariate for researchers and staff of Soroti University to share ideas on research administration and management, how to win and manage grants.
Ms Juliet Nabirye the M&E officer at the secretariate, said research is used as a tool for global ranking of universities, research is critical in improving welfare and finding solutions to societal problems, source of revenue and improving academic and educational credentials of the individual researchers involved.
We have come here to share experience and learn from each other, strengthening systems and developing frameworks for support and collaborations on how we can do more research together.
Speaking during the opening ceremony of training, the VC Soroti University Prof. Ikoja informed the Makerere university research and innovation fund secretariate that the University is still in its formative stage and therefore require constant mentoring to develop capacity. ‘We want you to nurture us to be like Makerere University’, he said adding that partnering with Makerere is a step in the right direction in developing the capacities of the young and growing universities to develop their research portfolios.
He warned researchers against engineering research outcomes, that ethical standard is key. He said that mentoring junior researchers is key in delivering the outcomes of the research.
Soroti University Researchers and grant awardees and Mak-Rif posing for a group photo with the VC Soroti University
Prof. Ikoja said that it is good to share experiences and learn how to manage grants to help government find solutions to the challenges affecting communities. We would like to be able to write policy briefs for government, he said.
The chairperson of the Soroti University grants committee Mr. Okello James Gregory who is also the Academic Registrar of the University said the visit of Makerere University Research and innovation Fund secretariate will push the University to the next level to find our niche, develop our capacities and have timely outputs delivered.
Prof. Tushabe Florence one of the researchers assured the team that next year Soroti University will participate in the Science and Innovation exhibition Week.
The team from Makerere University research and innovation Fund (Mak-Rif) Secretariate is headed by Dr Moses Twimukye, the Research support officer, Juliet Nabirye, the Monitoring and Evaluation officer, Gloria Naggayi, the principle investigator at the Mak Rif, Ayau Sandra, the project assistant, Nuwehereza Jackline accounts assistant and Wilson Abigaba the ICT officer.
Dr Moses Twimukye and Ms Juliet Nabirye of Mak-Rif listening to the presentation by Prof. J.R Ikoja, VC Soroti University
The three days training which opened on Monday this week is supported by Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-Rif) and organised by Soroti University Department of Graduate studies, Research, and innovations headed by Prof. Ejobi Francis who is the Director and head of the department.
The topics to be covered include Research administration and management, policy and operational framework, peer to peer mentorship, coaching. Research support and online grants management system. Strategies to increase Soroti University Research and Innovations Fund (SUNRIF), financial procedures and challenges in management of grants.