Strengthening Inter-University Linkages

through Collaborative Research

Professor Anthony MugishaSchool of Veterinary Medicine and

Animal Resources, Makerere University

ONE HEALTH CHAMPIONS LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP

7th April 2014, Speke Resort Munyonyo, Kampala

IntroductionIntroduction

Objectives of the presentationObjectives of the presentation• To build a case for enhancing research To build a case for enhancing research

collaboration as a way of strengthening collaboration as a way of strengthening inter-universities linkageinter-universities linkage

Presentation outlinePresentation outline• IntroductionIntroduction• A University DefinedA University Defined• A Research University DefinedA Research University Defined• Characteristics of a Research Characteristics of a Research

UniversityUniversity

• Challenges of a Research UniversityChallenges of a Research University• Towards a Research UniversityTowards a Research University• Leveraging resourcesLeveraging resources• Building networksBuilding networks• Enhancing mentorshipEnhancing mentorship• Effective research communicationEffective research communication

A University DefinedA University Defined

•A University is an institution of A University is an institution of higher education and research higher education and research which grants academic degreeswhich grants academic degrees

•‘‘University’ is derived from latin University’ is derived from latin phrase phrase universitas magistrorum universitas magistrorum et scholarum et scholarum which means which means ““Community of teachers and Community of teachers and scholars”scholars”

• Studium Generale,Studium Generale, or “School of Universal or “School of Universal Learning.Learning.

• The original idea of university education was The original idea of university education was meant to accomplish many things, but mainly:meant to accomplish many things, but mainly:– to give a general education, to give a general education, – to teach the liberal arts, to teach the liberal arts, – to prepare people for entry into government, to prepare people for entry into government,

business, industry, or the professionsbusiness, industry, or the professions

• Universities, since their origins in medieval Universities, since their origins in medieval Europe, have always been concerned with the Europe, have always been concerned with the transmission, preservation and transmission, preservation and interpretation of knowledgeinterpretation of knowledge

• Although not primarily concerned with the Although not primarily concerned with the creation of new knowledge creation of new knowledge

• While they have served as cultural and While they have served as cultural and intellectual institutions in their intellectual institutions in their societies, universities have not societies, universities have not traditionally been research-orientedtraditionally been research-oriented

• Science was conducted elsewhere for Science was conducted elsewhere for the most partthe most part

• Wilhelm von Humboldt largely Wilhelm von Humboldt largely invented the modern research invented the modern research university when the University of university when the University of Berlin was established in 1818Berlin was established in 1818

• His idea was that the university should His idea was that the university should directly enhance national and directly enhance national and scientific developmentscientific development

• This model contributed to the This model contributed to the emergence of Germany as a modern emergence of Germany as a modern country by producing research and country by producing research and educating scientistseducating scientists

• Therefore, almost all contemporary Therefore, almost all contemporary universities, regardless of location, universities, regardless of location, are European in structure, are European in structure, organization and conceptorganization and concept

• Therefore, whatever we will be Therefore, whatever we will be discussing in this presentation, will be discussing in this presentation, will be mainly concerning a Research mainly concerning a Research UniversityUniversity

A Research University A Research University DefinedDefined

• A Research university is defined as an academic A Research university is defined as an academic institution committed to the creation and institution committed to the creation and dissemination of knowledge, in a range of dissemination of knowledge, in a range of disciplines and fieldsdisciplines and fields

• It is supposed to appropriate laboratories, libraries, It is supposed to appropriate laboratories, libraries, and other infrastructures that permit teaching and and other infrastructures that permit teaching and research at the highest possible levelresearch at the highest possible level

• The research university is not supposed to be an The research university is not supposed to be an ivory tower and is relevant to the wider communityivory tower and is relevant to the wider community

• Much of its research is carried out in collaboration, Much of its research is carried out in collaboration, with funding and sponsorship from non-university with funding and sponsorship from non-university sourcessources

• The research university is a highly complex and The research university is a highly complex and multifaceted institution, serving many societal rolesmultifaceted institution, serving many societal roles

• Many of Africa’s traditionally strong Many of Africa’s traditionally strong universities are seeking to improve their universities are seeking to improve their quality in an effort to achieve research quality in an effort to achieve research university statusuniversity status

• There is however a huge gap between the There is however a huge gap between the research capacities and output of the research capacities and output of the developing world and the developeddeveloping world and the developed

• Developed countries on average spend 2.5 Developed countries on average spend 2.5 percent of their gross domestic product on percent of their gross domestic product on researchresearch

• While India allocates 1.2 percent; Brazil, While India allocates 1.2 percent; Brazil, 0.91 percent; China, 0.69 percent, most 0.91 percent; China, 0.69 percent, most developing nations devote less than 0.5 developing nations devote less than 0.5 percent of GDP to research percent of GDP to research

• In 2006, only 35 Research and In 2006, only 35 Research and Development (R&D) centres were in Development (R&D) centres were in existence for the 53 African countries, existence for the 53 African countries, compared to 861 centres in North America, compared to 861 centres in North America,

655 in Asia and 1576 in Europe655 in Asia and 1576 in Europe..

Characteristics of Characteristics of Research UniversitiesResearch Universities

• They are predominantly government-They are predominantly government-funded public institutionsfunded public institutions

• Tuition dependent private institutions can Tuition dependent private institutions can seldom fund expensive research seldom fund expensive research universitiesuniversities

• Research universities are typically large Research universities are typically large in terms of student enrollments and in terms of student enrollments and numbers of departments and facultiesnumbers of departments and faculties

• They involve in basic research, the most They involve in basic research, the most expensive part of the university, and this expensive part of the university, and this requires public support because it requires public support because it typically seldom produces direct incometypically seldom produces direct income

• The facilities necessary to produce top-The facilities necessary to produce top-quality research, especially in the sciences, quality research, especially in the sciences, are exceedingly expensiveare exceedingly expensive

• Most research universities are institutions Most research universities are institutions with a multiplicity of missions among which with a multiplicity of missions among which research is only one, but where research and research is only one, but where research and graduate study tend to dominategraduate study tend to dominate

• Research universities are always resource Research universities are always resource intensive. They are considerably more intensive. They are considerably more expensive to build and operateexpensive to build and operate

• Research universities attract the best and Research universities attract the best and the brightest students in the countrythe brightest students in the country

• Research universities are recognized as the Research universities are recognized as the pinnacle of the academic system and as pinnacle of the academic system and as central to the new globalised economycentral to the new globalised economy

Challenges of Research Challenges of Research UniversitiesUniversities

• FundingFunding. Although higher education is . Although higher education is traditionally viewed as public good, since traditionally viewed as public good, since 1980s and instigated by the World Bank 1980s and instigated by the World Bank and other International Policy and other International Policy Institutions, high education has been Institutions, high education has been portrayed as a private good.portrayed as a private good.

• Privatization of public universities has Privatization of public universities has thus become a common phenomenonthus become a common phenomenon

• Commercialism and market forces. Commercialism and market forces. A A culture of research, inquiry and quality is culture of research, inquiry and quality is an essential part of a research universityan essential part of a research university

• Because of the financial pressures, the trend is Because of the financial pressures, the trend is towards applied and often profit-oriented towards applied and often profit-oriented research, which can be more easily funded than research, which can be more easily funded than basic research and may yield profits for the basic research and may yield profits for the universityuniversity

• This changes the orientation of the research This changes the orientation of the research community to some extent by emphasising community to some extent by emphasising commercial values rather than basic commercial values rather than basic researchresearch

• Universities enter into agreements with Universities enter into agreements with corporations to produce specific research corporations to produce specific research products or provide access to university products or provide access to university facilitiesfacilities

Issues of Autonomy and Accountability. Issues of Autonomy and Accountability. The tension The tension between autonomy and accountability is a between autonomy and accountability is a perennial concern for academic institutions.perennial concern for academic institutions.

The globalisation of science and The globalisation of science and scholarshipscholarship

• Science in the 21st century is truly global in Science in the 21st century is truly global in scopescope

• Research results are immediately available Research results are immediately available worldwide through the Internetworldwide through the Internet

• There is pressure for research universities There is pressure for research universities to have the most modern laboratories if to have the most modern laboratories if they wish to participate in global scientific they wish to participate in global scientific researchresearch

• The challenge consists not only of The challenge consists not only of laboratories and infrastructure but also the laboratories and infrastructure but also the definitions and methodologies of science definitions and methodologies of science and scholarshipand scholarship

• Scientific globalization means that norms of Scientific globalization means that norms of research are established by the leaders of research, research are established by the leaders of research, located in the major universities in developed located in the major universities in developed countriescountries

• The methods used in funded research and The methods used in funded research and presented in the main scientific journals tend to presented in the main scientific journals tend to dominate world sciencedominate world science

• Also, the themes and subject areas of interest to Also, the themes and subject areas of interest to leading scientists and institutions may not be leading scientists and institutions may not be relevant to universities at the peripheryrelevant to universities at the periphery

• Involvement in world science thus means adherence Involvement in world science thus means adherence to established research paradigms and themesto established research paradigms and themes

• The costs of joining the league of research The costs of joining the league of research universities is an especially serious problem for universities is an especially serious problem for developing countries, with funding problems and developing countries, with funding problems and no experience of building such institutionsno experience of building such institutions

• The question is, are our universities The question is, are our universities research universities?research universities?

• How can we build research universities How can we build research universities that are competitive in the global that are competitive in the global world?world?

Towards a research Towards a research universityuniversity

• To build research universities in To build research universities in resource constrained environment, resource constrained environment, and strengthen research and strengthen research collaborations, the following needs collaborations, the following needs to be taken seriously:to be taken seriously:– Leveraging scarce resourcesLeveraging scarce resources– Build synergiesBuild synergies– Enhance mentorship programmesEnhance mentorship programmes– Build research networks, andBuild research networks, and– Effective communicationEffective communication

Leveraging resourcesLeveraging resources

• Leveraging is the process of amplifying Leveraging is the process of amplifying the benefits from a projectthe benefits from a project

• This is by using available resources to This is by using available resources to obtain additional resources, such that obtain additional resources, such that the total effect is greater than the sum the total effect is greater than the sum of the parts of the parts

• Leveraging can involve making new Leveraging can involve making new contacts through networking, growing contacts through networking, growing an existing relationship or obtaining an existing relationship or obtaining supplemental fundingsupplemental funding

Two forms of leveraging:Two forms of leveraging:• Leveraging funds and infrastructureLeveraging funds and infrastructure• Leveraging peopleLeveraging people

Leveraging people involves building or Leveraging people involves building or maintaining relationships to enable maintaining relationships to enable sharing of ideas and knowledgesharing of ideas and knowledge

• Leveraging people can involve:Leveraging people can involve:– Broadening networksBroadening networks– Developing a directory of your networkDeveloping a directory of your network– Using online resourcesUsing online resources

• Leveraging also means doing more with Leveraging also means doing more with less resourcesless resources

• Availability of abundant resources does Availability of abundant resources does not necessarily translate into successnot necessarily translate into success

• Resources reflect past successes and Resources reflect past successes and not future leadershipnot future leadership

• Less resources calls for:Less resources calls for:– Exploiting opportunitiesExploiting opportunities– Focusing more on core competenciesFocusing more on core competencies

– Finding alternative ways of doing thingsFinding alternative ways of doing things– Creating strategic alliances. Creating strategic alliances. • An organization's resources does not An organization's resources does not

only refer to its financial abilities but a only refer to its financial abilities but a portfolio of resources which include:portfolio of resources which include:• FinancialFinancial• Technical, and Technical, and • HumanHuman

The focus for leveraging is thus:The focus for leveraging is thus:• Concentrating resources on key strategic Concentrating resources on key strategic

goalsgoals• Accumulate resources efficientlyAccumulate resources efficiently• Efficient use, by complimenting one resource Efficient use, by complimenting one resource

with anotherwith another• Conserve resources as much as possibleConserve resources as much as possible

In summary, important points to note In summary, important points to note in leveraging resources:in leveraging resources:

• Resources are scarce, use them with Resources are scarce, use them with carecare

• More resources does not mean more More resources does not mean more successsuccess

• Multiply the limited resource base Multiply the limited resource base through creative approachesthrough creative approaches

• Strategic leverage gives some Strategic leverage gives some answersanswers

Building synergiesBuilding synergiesLife is like a combination lock, your job is to find the Life is like a combination lock, your job is to find the

right number, in the right order, so you can have right number, in the right order, so you can have anything you want- anything you want- Anon.Anon.

• Synergy is the energy or force created by the Synergy is the energy or force created by the working together of various parts or processesworking together of various parts or processes

• Synergy in business is the benefit derived from Synergy in business is the benefit derived from combining two or more elements so that the combining two or more elements so that the performance of the combination is higher than performance of the combination is higher than that of the sum of the individual elements.that of the sum of the individual elements.

• Systems thinking is an important concept in Systems thinking is an important concept in building synergiesbuilding synergies

• Systems thinking focuses on the whole not the Systems thinking focuses on the whole not the partsparts

• One way of achieving synergy is by One way of achieving synergy is by building effective teamsbuilding effective teams

• Teams that are cohesive, productive, Teams that are cohesive, productive, and efficient are deliberately builtand efficient are deliberately built

• Successful teams are cohesive because Successful teams are cohesive because team members work cooperatively, team members work cooperatively, sharing common goals as well as the sharing common goals as well as the resources to achieve them.resources to achieve them.

• They are productive, not because team They are productive, not because team members never disagreemembers never disagree

• They have worked out ways to resolve They have worked out ways to resolve conflicts when they occurconflicts when they occur

Ways to build an effective and cohesive Ways to build an effective and cohesive teamteam

• Clarify the common goals and purposesClarify the common goals and purposes• Clarify each person’s role in achieving the Clarify each person’s role in achieving the

common purposecommon purpose• Pay attention to conflicts when they arise. It’s Pay attention to conflicts when they arise. It’s

natural for conflict to arise when people work natural for conflict to arise when people work in groups. Conflict, handled well, can actually in groups. Conflict, handled well, can actually produce constructive ideasproduce constructive ideas

• Make sure team members interact at meetingsMake sure team members interact at meetings• Allow team members to have input into their Allow team members to have input into their

workwork• Make sure there is room for minority or Make sure there is room for minority or

unpopular viewsunpopular views

• Appraise and reward the team as a Appraise and reward the team as a wholewhole

• Appraise and reward each team Appraise and reward each team member individuallymember individually

• Communicate team successesCommunicate team successes

Building NetworksBuilding Networks

• Networking is the cultivation of Networking is the cultivation of helpful relationshipshelpful relationships

• Partners can research other projects to Partners can research other projects to find like-minded peoplefind like-minded people

• In networking, you are able to:In networking, you are able to:– Map out capacities and capacity gaps of Map out capacities and capacity gaps of

the various partnersthe various partners– Identify and allocate specific institutions Identify and allocate specific institutions

as nodes/hubs for specific knowledge as nodes/hubs for specific knowledge innovation functionsinnovation functions

– Learn how others have solved similar Learn how others have solved similar problems or overcome obstaclesproblems or overcome obstacles

– Pool resources to achieve common aimsPool resources to achieve common aims– Gather input from other disciplinesGather input from other disciplines– Expand their sphere of influenceExpand their sphere of influence– Will be to create a database of your Will be to create a database of your

contacts and their levels of expertise in contacts and their levels of expertise in various disciplinesvarious disciplines

– Will know whom to call to ask for help with Will know whom to call to ask for help with various grant-related questionsvarious grant-related questions

– Use of on-line resources. The Internet has Use of on-line resources. The Internet has become a powerful leveraging tool for become a powerful leveraging tool for identifying like-minded peopleidentifying like-minded people

Enhancing mentorshipEnhancing mentorship• Senior and highly experienced scientists Senior and highly experienced scientists

are hard to come byare hard to come by• Strategies should be put in place for the Strategies should be put in place for the

available few to replicate themselves as available few to replicate themselves as much as possiblemuch as possible

• The best mentors are advisors, coaches, The best mentors are advisors, coaches, and supporters all at the same timeand supporters all at the same time

• They are experienced scientists who They are experienced scientists who guideguide the research processthe research process

• They challenge the mentees to develop They challenge the mentees to develop their own independencetheir own independence

• A good mentor helps in defining A good mentor helps in defining research goals, and then support the research goals, and then support the mentees in their quest to achieve themmentees in their quest to achieve them

• Mentors share knowledge, provide Mentors share knowledge, provide encouragement, and hopefully inspire encouragement, and hopefully inspire menteesmentees

• In addition, mentors help mentees in In addition, mentors help mentees in developing their career goals, and developing their career goals, and construct a scientific networkconstruct a scientific network

• A mentor should be someone a mentee A mentor should be someone a mentee trusts to always keep his or her interest trusts to always keep his or her interest in mindin mind

Therefore, in building research teams, Therefore, in building research teams, mentorship should never be ignored mentorship should never be ignored

Effective research Effective research communicationcommunication

• To enhance impact of research, and to To enhance impact of research, and to foster dialogue, there is need to foster dialogue, there is need to communicate and engage with actors communicate and engage with actors beyond the research communitybeyond the research community

• There is thus need for a communication There is thus need for a communication strategy for the programmestrategy for the programme

• The following are important in the The following are important in the designing of the communication designing of the communication strategy:strategy:– Key messages well definedKey messages well defined– Target audience establishedTarget audience established

– Selecting the appropriate modes of Selecting the appropriate modes of communicationcommunication

– Tailoring information to intended Tailoring information to intended outletsoutlets

– Building good relationship with the Building good relationship with the mediamedia

– Evaluate the results of communicationEvaluate the results of communication

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