Kabarak University recently reinforced its commitment to academic excellence by sending a team of staff to pivotal workshops held at the Kenya School of Government, Nairobi, from September 30 to October 4, 2024. Organized and facilitated by the African Population and Health Research Center's (APHRC) Catalyze Impact Initiative, these workshops were instrumental in addressing critical challenges within Africa's research landscape. Over 140 participants from 25+ Kenyan universities attended the sessions, which focused on improving the global reach of African research outputs and empowering participants with skills to secure research funding.
Representing Kabarak University at the workshops were members from the Directorate of Research, Innovation, and Outreach, Corporate Communication & Marketing, and ICT departments. The team included Prof. Mellitus Wanyama (Dean, School of Music and Media) Dr. Moses Thiga (Director, Research, Innovation, and Outreach), Dr. Miriam Muga (Coordinator, Kabarak University Scientific and Ethics Review Committee), Dr. Michael N. Walekhwa (Coordinator, Grants and Resource Mobilization), Mr. Andrew Marangu (Manager, Corporate Communication & Marketing), and Mr. Peter Inziano (University Webmaster). They participated alongside other scholars from across Africa to engage in transformative discussions and training aimed at boosting the visibility and impact of African research.
The workshops concentrated on key areas crucial to strengthening Africa’s research ecosystem:
✅ Boosting African Research Visibility
✅ Website Optimization
✅ Grant Writing
✅ Grant Management
The African Journals Visibility and Discoverability Workshop explored practical strategies for enhancing the visibility of African journals and ensuring that academic content is easily accessible on a global scale. Experts from the Catalyze Impact Initiative led discussions on web design, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), and content management techniques. These insights are invaluable in helping African universities like Kabarak improve the discoverability of their research outputs. Kabarak’s team, including Prof. Mellitus Wanyama, Mr. Andrew Marangu, and Mr. Peter Inziano, actively engaged in sessions to learn how to optimize the university’s website for better global reach.
Additionally, the workshop covered important topics such as journal publication ethics and the significance of proper policy engagement and communication in improving research visibility. The discussions emphasized how Kabarak University can leverage its digital platforms to ensure that its research outputs are accessible to international audiences.
The Grants Proposal Writing Training Workshop provided participants with hands-on experience in writing competitive grant proposals. Participants learned to identify potential funders, formulate compelling problem statements, prepare accurate budgets, and manage risks. These skills are essential for institutions like Kabarak University to secure funding and manage grant-funded projects effectively.
Dr. Walekhwa, Kabarak University’s Coordinator for Grants and Resource Mobilization, was a key contributor to discussions on Good Financial Grant Practices (GFGP), serving as a panelist. His expertise in financial accountability and management of research funds proved critical to the success of the discussions, showcasing the best practices needed for the responsible stewardship of grant-funded projects.
These workshops, aimed at empowering African universities to secure competitive grants and address pressing research challenges, reflect Kabarak University’s proactive approach to strengthening its academic and research capabilities. By equipping its staff with advanced skills in both research visibility and resource mobilization, the university is positioning itself as a leader in academic innovation and scholarly excellence across Africa.
Kabarak University plans to implement several strategies derived from the workshops, including improving the visibility of its journals and enhancing its grant proposal processes, ensuring that the institution continues to thrive in the competitive academic landscape.
