RESEARCH NEWS: Canadian Professors in Uganda to Equip Early Career Researchers
By Arinaitwe Rugyendo
KAMPALA, UGANDA: Two distinguished Canadian professors have jetted into the country to empower early-career Ugandan scholars.
The two will be facilitating a one-week training workshop from Monday, April 22, 2024, at Kyambogi University which has been organized by the Network for Education and Multi-disciplinary Research in Africa (NEMRA) and the East African Scientific Research Network (EASRN).
The two institutions are joining forces with Academics Without Borders (AWB) to conduct the training, an ambitious initiative dubbed the Early Career Research Uganda (ECRU) project, and promises to be a transformative event for young scholars nationally.
In a bold move to bolster research capabilities and elevate the academic trajectory of early-career researchers (ECRs) in Uganda, the two professors, Dr. Mike Brklacich and Dr. Dave Valliere are offering their services under the auspices of Academics Without Borders, a non-profit organization founded in 2014 in the USA to assist colleges and universities in developing countries, in their efforts to increase their capacity to produce world-class scholars.
Who are they?
Dr. Mike Brklacich, Professor Emeritus at Carleton University, boasts a rich background in research management and mentoring, having previously held roles as Associate Dean for Research, International, and Graduate Studies, as well as Chair of the Science Advisory Committee for the Inter-American Institute for Global Change. He specializes in the human dimensions of global environmental change and climate change adaptation, his expertise is highly regarded in academia.
Dr. Dave Valliere, a Professor of Entrepreneurship and Strategy at Toronto Metropolitan University, brings a wealth of experience to the table. With a PhD in entrepreneurship from the Open University and an MBA from Western University, his academic credentials are formidable. Additionally, he has over 20 years of expertise in teaching and researching entrepreneurship and business strategy, complemented by hands-on experience in venture capital, commercial banking, IT, and software design engineering. Dr. Dave’s diverse background and adventurous spirit make him a dynamic figure in both academic and real-world contexts.
Why Uganda?
The endeavor comes in response to a critical need highlighted by recent reports, indicating the inadequacy of research skills and support systems for ECRs in Sub Saharan academic landscape.
Despite commendable strides in post-secondary education across Sub-Saharan Africa, the region still lags in global research productivity, with African universities contributing a mere 1% of peer-reviewed journal articles.
“Recognizing this disparity, the ECRU project aims to bridge the gap by equipping ECRs with the necessary tools and training to excel in their academic pursuits,” says NEMRA Executive Director Dr. Juliet Kyayesiimira.
The project’s multifaceted approach comprises two phases: a comprehensive needs assessment survey conducted in collaboration with Ugandan stakeholders and the development of tailored modules to address identified gaps.
“These modules, covering areas such as research grants, opportunities sourcing, research management, and career advancement, will undergo rigorous piloting to ensure efficacy,” says Dr. John Babtist Imokola, a Makerere University journalism and communication don and convenor.
The training workshop targets about 50 scholars from five prominent universities in Uganda, including Makerere University, Muteesa I Royal University, Bugema University, Uganda Christian University, and the host institution, Kyambogo University.
“We are to empower ECRs who obtained their PhDs post-2012 or assistant lecturers aspiring to pursue or complete their doctoral studies,” adds Dr. Imokola.
The ECRU project’s deliverables extend beyond the workshop, encompassing the creation of a sustainable mentorship model, a guiding manual for ongoing support, and the training of ECR champions to foster long-term growth and success.
Leveraging the expertise of partner institutions such as NEMRA, EASRN, and AWB, the initiative will aspire to cultivate a vibrant community of scholars driving impactful research and innovation in Uganda and beyond.
With AWB’s global reach and dedication to equitable higher education, the ECRU project embodies a vision of inclusive, accessible learning opportunities for aspiring scholars worldwide.
During the week-long training, the project will target to deliver a needs assessment survey to identify the skill gaps, joint development of 18 modules, design a Train the Trainer program, and develop a guiding manual to ensure a sustainable model of mentorship and training of ECRs.
About NEMRA
The Network for Education and Multidisciplinary Research Africa (NEMRA), consists of over 300 researchers and is actively engaged in enhancing the capabilities of early career researchers in Africa. It is domiciled in Uganda at Mutesa 1 Royal University.
About EASRN
The East Africa Strategic Research Network (EASRN) is a collaborative initiative involving 14 institutions in East Africa, focused on coordinating inter-university infrastructural development.
About Mutesa 1
Muteesa I Royal University is a private institution based in Mengo, Uganda. It is the designated host for both NEMRA and EASRN. It is the leading University in Uganda responding to contemporary challenges through teaching and learning, research, and technical guidance.
About AWB
Academics Without Borders (AWB) envisions a world where quality higher education is available to everyone. AWB operates in 36 countries with 260 volunteer scholars serving 189 education projects, striving for a world where higher education is accessible to all.
Academics Without Borders Volunteers
Dr Mike Brklacich
Mike Brklacich is a Professor Emeritus at Carleton University. He specializes in research management and mentoring and has previously served as an Associate Dean for Research, International, and Graduate Studies. He also served as Chair of the Science Advisory Committee for the Inter-American Institute for Global Change. His research expertise lies in the human dimensions of global environmental change and climate change adaptation.
Dr Dave Valliere
Dave Valliere is a Professor of Entrepreneurship and Strategy at Toronto Metropolitan University, with a PhD in entrepreneurship from the Open University, an MBA from Western University, and degrees in engineering from the University of Toronto. He founded the Entrepreneurship Research Institute and has over 20 years of experience teaching and researching entrepreneurship and business strategy. Before his academic career, he worked in various industries, including venture capital, commercial banking, IT, and software design engineering. Dr. Dave is also an experienced adventure traveler and high-altitude mountaineer.
Uganda Project Team members.
Dr. John Baptist Imokola
Dr Imokola is a Lecturer in the Department of Journalism and Communication at Makerere University. His research is around television broadcasting policy, audience studies, and cultural studies, among others. Dr Imokola is an experienced journalist, growing through the ranks of a News Reporter, News Anchor, and News Editor, News Producer to heading two national Television newsrooms. He has previously worked with Record TV Network – Uganda, WBS Television, NBS Television, and Uganda Radio Network. He holds a PhD in Journalism and Communication, an MA in Journalism and Communication, and a Hons Bachelor’s Degree, all from Makerere University.
Dr Juliet Kyayesimira
Dr Kyayesiimira holds a PhD and lectures in the Department of Biological Sciences at Kyambogo University-Uganda. She also volunteers as Managing Director of the Network for Education and Multidisciplinary Research Africa (NEMRA). The network works with graduate research students, early career researchers, senior scholars, and practitioners within educational institutions and beyond. The network’s vision is to advance a culture of intellectually generated evidence-based policy research and practice in Africa
Dr Norman Mukasa
Dr Mukasa is a Ph.D. holder in International and Intercultural Studies from the University of Deusto in Spain. He is a dedicated educator, trainer, and administrator who has served at Muteesa I Royal University, Bugema University, and CBS International Business School in Germany. He is an executive member of the Secretariat of the East Africa Scientific Research Network (EASRN), where he has started several collaborative training projects and inter-university networking platforms on research methods and scientific innovation, such as the International Summer Schools in Survey Methodology (ISSU) and the Inter-university Research and Innovation Community (IRIC).
Dr Aisha Jagwe
Dr Jagwe is the Director of Research, Muteesa I Royal University. She holds a PhD, in Environmental Geography, a Masters in Development Studies, and a Bachelors in Education. She is also a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Development Studies at Muteesa 1 Royal University.
Dr Loice Natukunda
Dr Natukunda is an experienced Lecturer at the University of Lincoln, with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry. She is skilled in Management, Leadership, Research, and Qualitative Research in Africa. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) focused in Human Resource Management and Organisational Behaviour from The University of Sheffield.
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