G7 countries have said they will focus on research and innovation cooperation with African countries this year – a development that will also result in collaboration with the continent’s higher education institutions and research centres, with the holding of a major research conference in October in Italy as part of that thrust.
G7 science and technology ministers met in Bologna and Forlì in Italy earlier in July and produced a communique which outlines areas of collaboration with Africa. The G7, or Group of Seven, is a group of economically powerful countries, including Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as the European Union.
The African Union (AU) – represented by the Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation Mohamed Belhocine – and UNESCO – represented by Assistant Director-General for Education Stefania Giannini – joined the G7 ministers and heads of delegation for the session on research and innovation cooperation with Africa as invited international organisations.
As a follow-up to this meeting, on 2 October, Italy will also host the G7 Conference on Research and Capacity-Building with African Countries.
Focus of discussions
According to the G7 ministers’ communique, the upcoming conference will focus on synergies between academia, research centres and the private sector to develop innovative projects through research and development, while also strengthening existing partnerships and programmes.
The ministers said they recognise the importance of cooperating with low- and middle-income countries, which should aim at both mutual learning and an inclusive dialogue.
A particular focus, in this context, will be given this year to the African continent, acknowledging Italy’s Mattei Plan for Africa.
“We intend to align our efforts with the needs of African countries, also in view of the AU Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa to be adopted in 2025,” the ministers said.
Some of the initiatives that will be prioritised are the establishment, expansion, or continuation of merit-based researchers’ mobility initiatives and research infrastructure – support that could promote the retention of top-tier research talent needed to drive economic development. Transnational higher education is another focus area.
The ministers said they welcome the Italian initiative, co-designed with African stakeholders, and dedicated to African public administration and innovation agencies, managers and officers.
“This initiative is open to interested universities and other stakeholders of G7 members and beyond,” they said.
What scientists say
In an interview with University World News, Dr Rahimat Oyiza Yakubu, a Nigerian scientist in the area of sustainable energy technologies and a renewable energy consultant, said that, as part of enabling meaningful G7-Africa collaboration in science and technology, knowledge sharing and networking through conferences and workshops are required.
She said organising joint conferences, symposiums and workshops, as well as exchange programmes, promotes knowledge exchange and networking and this will go a long way for both sides to understand how they can complement one another.
Yakubu said Africa faces inadequate research facilities and outdated equipment that restricts the scope and quality of research, and scientists would benefit from investments in these areas.
She highlighted the fact that African institutions face chronic underfunding which affected the quality, quantity and ability of researchers to tackle large-scale, long-term projects. She said that, to support higher education graduates and the retention of top-tier African research talent, several strategic initiatives such as competitive salaries and benefits, career development opportunities, research funding and resources, collaboration and networking, government and institutional support, among others must be implemented.
Professor of archaeology and Executive Dean of the School of Heritage and Education at the Great Zimbabwe University Munyaradzi Manyanga told University World News there is a need to develop equal partnerships in which decision-making is shared and trust is built as well as an alignment of research goals and objectives for the benefit of all humanity.
He said there is also a need to uplift the standards of research in Africa, which necessitates research infrastructure, capacity-building, technology transfer and funding support as acknowledged by the G7 in their statement.
Manyanga also said collaboration implies the co-production and co-creation of knowledge and innovations, hence it is important that the G7 and Africa enter into clear intellectual property agreements which give both parties rights and ownership to the knowledge generated.
“The starting point is mutual interest and respect between the G7 and Africa. This has not always been the case, despite the development of the sustainable development goals by the United Nations.
“There is a need to develop shared goals and respect for each other’s expertise and perspectives. This may be a huge challenge, considering the divergent interests and values, which is made worse by the language and cultural barriers,” he said.
Asked about some of the challenges African researchers have, Professor Manyanga said: “Weak research infrastructure, limited funding, obsolete technology, [and] misaligned research priorities with national or regional needs.”
Source: UAEU
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