Articles · Vol. 14 No. 1 (2016): Journal of Higher Education in Africa

Towards the Institutionalization of Research Uptake Management in Sub-Saharan African Universities

  • Tomas Harber
    Tomas Harber
      Association of Commonwealth Universities, London.
    Their articles →
  • Sara S. Grobbelaar
    Sara S. Grobbelaar https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2793-9689 (unauthenticated)
    Centre for Research on Evaluation, Science and Technology (CREST), Department of Industrial Engineering, Stellenbosch University and DST-NRF Centre of Excellence in Scientometrics and Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (SciSTIP), Stellenbosch University.
    Their articles →
Vol. 14 · 2016 No. 1 Journal of Higher Education in Africa JHEA

Abstract

This paper examines the process of research uptake institutionalization tak- ing place at universities in the African context. It explores the importance of the emerging concept of Research Uptake Management (RUM) and provides a rationale for why it is becoming increasingly relevant within the higher education sector, both inside and outside of Africa. In so doing, this paper proposes a conceptual framework for strengthening RUM capacity based on an in-depth analysis of primary source material. It unpacks exist- ing capacity development needs across a selection of African universities within the sub-Saharan region, and examines how universities in a nascent stage of developing RUM practices are approaching the institutionalization of research uptake.

Towards the Institutionalization of Research Uptake Management in Sub-Saharan African Universities

Cet article examine le processus d’institutionnalisation de l’adoption des résultats de la recherche qui se déroule dans des universités africaines. Il explore l’importance de l’émergence du concept de gestion de l’adoption des résultats de la recherche (RUM) et donne la raison pour laquelle il est de plus en plus pertinent dans le secteur de l’enseignement supérieur, tant à l’intérieur qu’à l’extérieur de l’Afrique. Cet article propose ainsi un cadre conceptuel pour le renforcement des capacités de RUM basé sur une analyse approfondie des documents de source primaire. Il énumère les besoins de renforcement des capacités existantes à travers un nombre d’universités africaines sélectionnées dans la région sub-saharienne, et examine com- ment les universités qui sont dans un stade naissant de développement des pratiques de RUM abordent l’institutionnalisation de l’adoption des résultats de la recherche.

Keywords

institutionalization taking place universities Africa sub-Saharan region

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Author Biographies

  • Tomas Harber

     Association of Commonwealth Universities, London.

  • Sara S. Grobbelaar

    Centre for Research on Evaluation, Science and Technology (CREST), Department of Industrial Engineering, Stellenbosch University and DST-NRF Centre of Excellence in Scientometrics and Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (SciSTIP), Stellenbosch University.

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