STRENGTHENING RESEARCH AND INNOVATION MANAGEMENT IN SADC (SADC SRIM) RESEARCH AND INOVATION MANAGEMENT EXCHANGE AND MENTORSHIP PROGRAMME

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1 STRENGTHENING RESEARCH AND INNOVATION MANAGEMENT IN SADC (SADC SRIM) RESEARCH AND INOVATION MANAGEMENT EXCHANGE AND MENTORSHIP PROGRAMME EXPRESSION OF INTEREST EXCHANGE FELLOWS AND MENTORSHIP The SADC SRIM Initiative is funded by the South African Department of Science and Technology, implemented in partnership with the Southern African Research and Innovation Management Association (SARIMA), the SADC Secretariat and SADC Member States. Furthermore, this initiative is endorsed by the SADC Ministers responsible for Science and Technology. SADC SRIM aims to strengthen Research and Innovation (R&I) Management in the following ways: Promoting R&I management as an institutional, national and regional priority. Developing capacity and skills of R&I managers in the SADC region. Promoting networking, collaboration and cooperation between R&I managers and institutions in the SADC region. In the context of this initiative R&I management includes the development and maintenance of an environment that facilitates effective, efficient and responsible knowledge production on the one hand and the generation, acquisition and application of knowledge to advance economic and social goals on the other. R&I management therefore forms an important link in the R&I value chain. While R&I management is well established in developed countries it is acknowledged that R&I management structures and capacity is in need of development in most of the SADC region. Various activities have been or are being implemented to support the three main objectives of the SADC SRIM Initiative. The project has a number of activities focusing on research organisations within South Africa while other activities focus specifically on SADC countries outside of South Africa.

2 The SADC SRIM R&I Management Exchange and Mentorship Programme The main objectives of this programme are to support the strengthening of the R&I Management function within SADC research organisations as well as partnerships and collaboration between SADC R&I organisations. The SADC SRIM Exchange Programme provides a mechanism for mutual learning, knowledge exchange, sharing of best practices, mentorship and collaboration to support the strengthening of R&I management and partnerships in the region. The programme will support short-term exchanges (up to two weeks) and mentorship visits between December 2015 and December The latter activity is specifically designed for SADC countries (outside of South Africa) although mentors may be selected from South Africa. Applications are invited in one of the two categories outlined below: CATEGORY 1: EXPRESSION OF INTEREST EXCHANGE FELLOWS This category is open to R&I Managers from SADC Member States who intend to visit a host institution in South Africa or in another SADC country for a period of up to 2 weeks. It is envisaged that between 10 and 15 applicants will be supported as an output of this category. Eligibility and selection criteria: The applicant must be based at a public research organization in one of the following SADC Member States (Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe). The applicant s organization must have a Research Office and/or a Technology Transfer Office or be at an advanced stage of planning for the establishment of such an office. The applicant must be employed within a Research Office or a Technology Transfer Office at the organization or be actively involved in the process of planning the establishment of such a function.

3 The applicant must be a SARIMA member or register as a SARIMA member at the time of application. Signing-up for SARIMA membership is free of charge for 1 year for individuals from SADC. Applicants should preferably have at least 1 year experience in Research or Innovation Management, although strong motivations from less experienced individuals could be considered. The applicant in consultation with the employing organisation nominates at least two host institutions in any SADC Member State (including South Africa). Participation in previous comparable exchanges may be a consideration when undertaking the application review. Preference will be given to individuals with permanent employment or long term employment contracts with the organisations concerned. The applicant s submission must include a short motivation of support by their organisation as the organisation will be expected to facilitate the participation by the respective individual in the programme (e.g. allowing for paid time (leave) for the individual to participate in the programme, agreeing on which host institution will be the most appropriate etc.). Applicants must be eligible for travel and have appropriate travel documents at the time of the visit. Individuals supported through the programme will be required to submit a report after conclusion of the visit, the format of which will be provided by SARIMA. Only complete applications meeting all the submission requirements will be considered. Individuals should be available to undertake the exchange visit for a period

4 Funding: Application process: to be agreed with the host (not exceeding two weeks) between November 2015 and December The grant will cover the following expenses: Travel costs (economy class flight, airport transfer). Subsistence allowance (to cover reasonable accommodation for up to two weeks depending on the duration of the visit, daily meals and local transport). Organisations of successful applicants will sign a grant agreement. A fully completed Expression of Interest (Annexure 1) should be submitted via to Corline Kriel at sarima@sarima.co.za on or before 15 January A panel selected by the project partners will review the applications and select the successful applicants. Applicants will be informed about the outcome of the review process by 25 January SARIMA will in collaboration with the successful applicant approach the nominated host institutions and finalise the arrangements. Following the confirmation of the host institution the applicant will engage with the host institution and they will jointly finalise the timing, duration and programme for the visit ensuring that the programme respond to the needs as per the application. Visits should take place between January 2016 and December Contacts: SARIMA Elena Gaffurini SARIMA Project Manager: Africa Engagement pm-ae@sarima.co.za SADC SRIM Focal Points: Angola: Mr Domingos da Silva Neto, Ministry of Science & Technology (dgosneto@gmail.com)

5 Botswana: Dr Bernard Bulawayo, National Food Technology Research Centre Democratic Republic of Congo: Prof. Mundala O.Tete, University of Kinsasha Lesotho: Dr Mpho Liphoto, National University of Lesotho Madagascar: Dr Rasimbason Michel, Centre National d'application des Recherches Pharmaceutiques Malawi: Dr Moses Chinyama, Malawi University of Science & Technology Mauritius: Mr D.Conhye, Ministry of Technology, Communication and Innovation Mozambique: Prof Emilia Nhalevilo, Universidade Pedagogica Namibia: Ms Lovisa Kambonde, National Commission on Research, Science & Technology Seychelles: Mr Xavier Estico, National Institute Science, Technology and Innovation Swaziland: Dr Rejoice Maseko-Khumalo, Ministry of Information, Communication & Technology Tanzania: Ms Thabitha Etutu, Ministry of Communication, Science and Technology Zambia: Mr Stephen Chibangula, Mulungushi University and Mr Filipo Zulu, National Science and technology Council Zimbabwe: Prof Yogi Naik, National University of Science & Technology

6 CATEGORY 2: EXPRESSION OF INTEREST MENTORSHIP This category is open to public research organizations based in SADC Member States (except South Africa) who wishes to invite a mentor in the area of R&I Management (including Technology Transfer) to visit their organisation to assess and support the establishment or further development of their R&I Management Office, systems, processes and capacity. It is envisaged that between 5 and 8 mentors will be funded as an output of this category. Eligibility and selection criteria: The applicant organisation(s) must be public research organization(s) in one of the following SADC Member States (Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe). Please note that preference will be given to a group of research organizations in a particular Member State supporting a joint application. In this case one organization will act as the coordinator of the application. The applicant organization(s) must have an established Research and/or Innovation Office or be at an advanced stage of planning for the establishment of such a function. The application must be supported by and appropriate member of the Executive of the organization. The applicant organization(s) will specify their need for mentorship/expert inputs in the relevant Research and/or Innovation related area in the application. SARIMA will identify and confirm appropriate mentors for successful applicants. The applicant organization(s) should be prepared to host the mentor and provide the mentor with the appropriate infrastructure, including a desk, internet access, support with logistical support for local arrangements to

7 facilitate the mentor s work according to the plan that will be agreed between the mentor and the organization(s). Participation of the applicant organization(s) in previous comparable mentorship programmes will be considered by the panel when undertaking the review. Applicant organization(s) will be required to submit a report after conclusion of the mentor visit on a template that will be provided by SARIMA. Only complete applications meeting all the submission requirements will be considered. Applicant organizations should be available to host the mentor for a period to be agreed with the mentor (not exceeding 5 days) between January 2016 and December Funding: Application process: The grant will cover: Travel and subsistence for the mentor for up to one week to visit and engage with the applicant organization(s) - to be arranged and paid for by SARIMA to the mentor directly. A hosting fee to the applicant organization. In the case of joint applications the fee will be paid to the coordinating organization and should be used to support the overall aim of the application and in accordance with the proposed plan. The fee can be used for example to host joint meetings etc. A fully completed Expression of Interest (Annexure 2) should be submitted via to sarima@sarima.co.za on or before 15 January A panel selected by the project partners will review the application and select the successful applicants. Applicants will be informed about the outcome of the review process by 25

8 January SARIMA will in collaboration with the successful applicant approach a suitable mentor and finalise the arrangements. Following the confirmation of the mentor the applicant organization(s) will engage with the mentor to put together a suitable agenda in line with the application for the time of the visit. Contacts: Visit to take place between January 2016 and December SARIMA Elena Gaffurini SARIMA Project Manager: Africa Engagement pm-ae@sarima.co.za SADC SRIM Focal Points: Angola: Mr Domingos da Silva Neto, Ministry of Science & Technology (dgosneto@gmail.com) Botswana: Dr Bernard Bulawayo, National Food Technology Research Centre (bernard@naftec.org) Democratic Republic of Congo: Prof. Mundala O.Tete, University of Kinsasha (emerymundala@hotmail.com) Lesotho: Dr Mpho Liphoto, National University of Lesotho (mpholiphoto@yahoo.co.uk) Madagascar: Dr Rasimbason Michel, Centre National d'application des Recherches Pharmaceutiques (michel.ratsimbason@cnarp.mg) Malawi: Dr Moses Chinyama, Malawi University of Science & Technology (mpchinyama@must.ac.mw) Mauritius: Mr D.Conhye, Ministry of Technology, Communication and Innovation (dconhye@govmu.org) Mozambique: Prof Emilia Nhalevilo, Universidade Pedagogica (emiliafonso@gmail.com) Namibia: Ms Lovisa Kambonde, National Commission on Research, Science & Technology (lkambonde@ncrst.na) Seychelles: Mr Xavier Estico, National Institute Science, Technology and Innovation (estico.xavier@gmail.com)

9 Swaziland: Dr Rejoice Maseko-Khumalo, Ministry of Information, Communication & Technology Tanzania: Ms Thabitha Etutu, Ministry of Communication, Science and Technology Zambia: Mr Stephen Chibangula, Mulungushi University and Mr Filipo Zulu, National Science and technology Council Zimbabwe: Prof Yogi Naik, National University of Science & Technology