The Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (MoHERST),and higher education stakeholders has on Friday 27th June 2025 launched the Research Management Training program for Tertiary and Higher Education Institutions.
The project was launched on behalf of Professor Pierre Gomez, Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology in collaboration with key stakeholders held at the Ministry’s conference room in Kanifing.
The project is entitled: “Institutional and Human capabilities Building in Basic Sciences, Technology, Research, Innovation and Engineering to Enhance Knowledge for Sustainable Development.”
The project is supported by The Gambia National Commission for UNESCO (NATCOM) which aims to professionalize research in the higher education and research institutions in the country, thus contributing to the promotion of the culture of research in the institutions for sustainability.
Speaking on behalf of the Honourable Minister of Higher Education, the Director for Tertiary and Higher Education of the ministry, Anthony Mendy revealed that the project was initiated by the Ministry with support of UNESCO NATCOM.
He said the project comes at a critical time when MoHERST has just envisioned the implementation of the Gambia Research Regulation (GRR), and in the evolution of research globally.
Director Mendy emphasized that the changing roles of research funders have significantly shifted the landscape, adding that research has become more collaborative, interdisciplinary, and global in nature, and that the traditional notion of the “one-man researcher” is rapidly fading.
In today’s world, he said “whether in science, engineering, medicine, or even in the social sciences, the complexity of challenges we face demands teamwork, diversity of thought, and shared expertise and building research management capabilities.”
Director Mendy informed that MoHERST has placed strategic emphasis on building a strong, supportive infrastructure around research, with one of the Ministry’s key policy priorities is the development of robust Research Management Offices (RMOs) within the higher education and research institutions.
These offices, he said are expected to become the administrative backbone of research activities, facilitating the processes necessary to manage externally funded research programmes effectively and transparently.
He highlighted that a well-functioning Research Management Office will improve timely and accurate dissemination of information on available funding opportunities; interpret and communicate the policies, procedures, and compliance requirements of funding organizations; and support researchers in proposal writing and submission, including navigating electronic grant portals.
He added that it will also guide researchers from pre-award, through contracting, to post-award management, ensuring adherence to grant requirements and provide oversight for research compliance, ethics, and financial accountability.
Omar Jallow, program officer at the National Commission for UNESCO said the project is expected to enhance research capabilities in Gambian higher education, expose young academicians on research management dynamics, improve research managers’ fundraising skills, develop their grant management competences and train research administrators on grant applications.
Present at the event was Dembo Konteh, President of West Africa Research Innovation Management Association (WARIMA) and Professor Assan Jaye Senior Staff of Gambia Medical Research Council.
The event was moderated by James Gomez, the Director of Research , MOHERST.
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