Lesotho Ministry of Information, Communications, Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI)successfully in partnership with the Southern African Research and Innovation Management (SARIMA) hosted the second Strengthening Research and Innovation Management (SRIM II) symposium on 28 February 2024 in Lesotho, Maseru.
It is with great pleasure that we share with you the achievements and highlights of the outstanding individuals and organizations recognized at the 2023 DSI | SARIMA Awards.
SARIMA hosted a special, one-day event, themed ‘Connect, Collaborate, Celebrate’, on Thursday, 19 October 2023, at the OR Tambo Premier Hotel in Johannesburg.
Various workshops were hosted in the morning followed by the SARIMA Biennial General Meeting where the President presented his report covering the term 2021-2023 followed by the Vice Presidents of the Research Management, Innovation and Technology Transfer, and Africa Engagement portfolios. SARIMA’s audited annual financial statements were presented showcasing the organisation’s commitment to sound and responsible financial management. The occasion also marked the change-over of the SARIMA committee and the introduction of the new SARIMA President, Emilia Afonso Nhalevilo.
The research management profession can be a very stressful journey when travelled alone, hence the need of a Community of Practice (COP). It has been five years since since the first seed was planted in October 2018. An idea that blossomed into a fruitful and functional COP supported by SARIMA and then DST (now DSI).
SARIMA and the North-West University launched a Community of Practice on Research Outputs, Outcomes, and Impact (CoP-ROOI) with more than 250 members from South Africa, Botswana, Malawi, Namibia, Ghana, Gambia, and Nigeria in 19 October 2023. CoP-ROOI can also be considered as a strategic imperative for reaching out and strengthening partnerships with like-minded institutions and associations in Africa.
Strengthening Intellectual Property Cooperation: WIPO-SARIMA Memorandum of Understanding
November 2023
In an era where intellectual property serves as the cornerstone of innovation, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) forged between the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the Southern African Research and Innovation Management Association (SARIMA) stands as a pivotal instrument.
Professionalisation of Research Management and Administration in Southern Africa – A Case Study
November 2023
In the dynamic landscape of research and innovation, the Southern African Research and Innovation Management Association (SARIMA) stands as a beacon of progress, orchestrating a transformative journey toward the professionalisation of research management and administration (RMA). This case study delves into SARIMA’s strategic initiatives, illuminating the collaborative efforts with its members, the cultivation of strategic partnerships, and the astute utilization of funding opportunities.
In a move to foster collaboration in education, research, development, and innovation, the Technological Higher Education Network South Africa (THENSA) and SARIMA have formalized their commitment through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
As part of the Strengthening Research and Innovation Management II (SRIM II) project, SARIMA has been engaged in the process of identifying SARIMA and SRIM II Project Contact Points – specific country representatives to promote Research and Innovation Management throughout the SADC region. Supported by the South African Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and World Health Organisation, the AE portfolio hosted kick-off meetings for country representatives to meet in- person for the first time.
The hybrid session was held on 03 August 2022 with 13-in person delegates and 11 virtual delegates. Doug Sanyahumbi, SARIMA VP, Africa Engagement welcomed everyone present. Delegates represented 9 SADC countries; Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, Tanzania, Zambia and South Africa.
The Technical Review Committee (TRC) of the International Professional Recognition Council (IPRC) is working through twenty-six applications that were submitted during the last call for professional recognition of research managers and administrators.
SARIMA chats to Fred Matongo, newly-appointed Director: Innovation & Technology Transfer of CUT Innovation Services (CUTis). The Central University of Technology is in Bloemfontein, Free State South Africa.
FR used his prize money to enrol in the Idea-to-Market: Technology Commercialisation course.
The Southern African Research and Innovation Management Association (SARIMA), together with the Southern Africa Network for Biosciences (SANBio), with the collaboration of the GIZ Strengthening National-Regional Linkages (GIZ-SNRL) Programme – a partnership Programme between SADC, the European Union, and German Government, held National training workshops which were piloted thus far in 3 countries: Lesotho, DRC and Tanzania.
The SRIM II Programme follows on from the first SRIM Programme (SRIM I, 2014-2017) which was funded by the South African Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), endorsed by the SADC Ministers responsible for Science and Technology and implemented in partnership with the SARIMA, the SADC Secretariat and the SADC Member States.
How may we better serve you where you are? We would love to hear from you.
The International Professional Recognition Council’s (IPRC) Training Endorsement Committee (TEC) recently endorsed the online short courses and allocated 20 training points per course. These points can be used when applying for or renewing a professional research management designation.
DSI/SARIMA Excellence Awards in Research and Innovation Management winners in the SADC region for 2021
November 2021
Congratulations to the well-deserved winners this year.
Marilyn Sikade used her prize to enrol for the Project Management Principles and Practices online short course.
Therina Theron and Andrew Bailey hosted the #MySARIMA session at our recent conference providing members with the opportunity to give some general feedback as well as to provide some input into SARIMA’s future direction. It was great to have enthusiastic participants interacting through Slido and creating some inspiring ‘word clouds’ that we thought would be great to share in the newsletter in case you missed the event.
I enrolled for the Wits Business School’s Executive Development Programme which is a two-and-a-half-month online programme in Leadership Development, running twice a year.
In September 2019, I was the recipient of the joint award for Professional Excellence in Research Management, which included funding to attend a conference. With this award money, I was able to attend the Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research’s (PRIM&R) 2020 Advancing Ethical Research Conference (AER2020).
COPs collaborating to draft SADC Regional Ethics Guidelines for Research Ethics Access
September 2021
The International Professional Recognition Council (IPRC) recently announced a call for applications for the Professional Recognition Programme for Research Management.
The International Professional Recognition Council (IPRC) recently announced a call for applications for the Professional Recognition Programme for Research Management.
Meet one of the latest Research Management Professionals (RMP)
SARIMA is proud to announce that its number of Registered Technology Transfer Professionals (RTTP’s) have been increased to 17 individuals with 4 more people registered as Candidate RTTP’s.
The International Professional Recognition Council (IPRC), hosted by SARIMA and supported by all the Research Management Associations in Africa are collaborating with the African Jobs Board to promote research management and the professional recognition programme for research management.
The International Professional Recognition Council (IPRC), hosted by SARIMA, recently launched the STARS Programme as an initiative to support the work of the Advocacy Committee which is one of the sub-committees of the IPRC. The Advocacy Committee serves to address issues related to the advancement and promotion of research management, the IPRC and the professional recognition programme for research management.
The team in the SARIMA office are working hard to get the necessary measures in place to comply with the South African Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) which comes into play on 1 July. We are extremely grateful to IP law firm Spoor & Fisher for kindly guiding SARIMA through its compliance requirements pro bono.
In May 2020, the bi-annual International Network of Research Management Societies (INORMS) conference was scheduled to be hosted in Japan. However, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the event was postponed to 2021. The fully online conference was held between 24-27 May 2021 in a virtual format – a very first in the history of INORMS.
Malawi has 70 Research Institutions at the time of drafting this profile, and 50 of these institutions have one or more research officers.
Submissions for oral abstracts closed early June 2021. To add to the virtual experience this year we want to add a special Poster feature.
NSTF invited SARIMA to participate in a panel discussion on “Successes and Challenges in innovation in South Africa”. The International Society for Professional Innovation Management (ISPIM) conference was virtual and they managed the time zones brilliantly by having a 24-hour conference with countries showcasing their innovation perspectives on after the other.
“The Innovation Council shares perspectives about innovation and the policies that best support it with policymakers and others who are working to develop solutions to the world’s biggest challenges.
Assessing research capacity to strengthen research and collaboration in Southern African universities
September 2020
Research in Southern African universities is without a doubt important as these institutions are geared towards providing research that is not only relevant and contextual but is for the betterment of their country’s economic, health and social wellbeing.
New Cross-sectoral Innovators Group: Advocating for Enabling Innovation Frameworks in Geneva
September 2020
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) influences the innovation and IP policies enacted by countries around the world, particularly emerging markets. WIPO wields influence through activities such as research, technical assistance, treaty administration, and hosting negotiations aimed
at developing new IP policy guidelines and treaties.
Through the AEIP partnership, SARIMA participated in the 4th AEIP event. The virtual event ran from June 23rd to July 9th 2020 directed toward technology transfer. With the theme of “Building Tenable Technology Transfer from Africa and Europe, the event consisted of a public policy forum, a capacity upgrading training for TTOs, and a community of practice meeting by invitation.
Five Keys to improving research costing and pricing in low- and middle-income countries
September 2020
As the requirements for access to research funding increase, the competitiveness and compliance of research institutions must improve. Institutions must be able to create transparent and appropriate project budgets that include both direct and indirect costs. This allows them to assess the extent to which funds raised will cover their costs and decide how to address any shortfall.
Over the last couple of years, SARIMA in partnership with the South African Department of Science and Innovation (formerly known as the Department of Science and Technology) have provided support for the establishment of regional CoPs. Since the formation of the first COP in the Western Cape ca. 2017, several other regions have adopted this ‘clustered’ approach.
In 2019, SARIMA in partnership with two consulting companies based in the UK i.e. Research Consulting and Consort Strategy undertook a high-level needs assessment of research systems in seven African countries, namely, Kenya, Ghana, Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda, Nigeria and Tanzania.
SARIMA is pleased to officially launch the “Generic Manual for the Management of Research Grants”. Encompassing conceptual elements of the research grant management and funding cycle, the manual identifies key practices and provides examples and templates to implement each key practice for each element.
Over the past three years, SARIMA, together with its implementing partners, specifically provided support to strengthen capacities in research management in a number of key areas, such as research and grant-making systems and procedures and principles of scientific merit review.
SARIMA is proud to announce that its number of Registered Technology Transfer Professionals (RTTP’s) has increased from 14 in (2019) to 17 individuals in 2020.
Three members of SARIMA were recently awarded Research Management Professional (RMP) status by the International Professional Recognition Council (IPRC), following the first open call for professional recognition of research managers from across the African continent.
The 2019 Excellence Award winners in Research and Innovation Management within the SADC region were announced during SARIMA’s 2020 virtual conference. SARIMA would like to thank the SA Department of Science and Innovation for sponsoring these awards.
Whilst global economies and societies are still grappling with the devastating impact of COVID-19, the crisis presented us with the opportunity to explore more digitally innovative ways of staying engaged with our members and stakeholders. As such, SARIMA rose to the challenge to host its first virtual Conference.
The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and Southern African Research and Innovation Management Association (SARIMA) have established the Expert-in-Residence (EiR) Programme. The EiR programme aims to enable Technology Transfer Offices from South African public higher education and research institutions to access support from consultants in various fields
SARIMA welcomes you to participate in our first webinar for 2020! SAFE notes and Convertible notes are funding mechanisms regularly used in funding early-stage start-ups. During this webinar, Wayne Stocks and Daniel Strauss (University Technology Fund and Stocks & Strauss) and Adrian Dommisse (Dommisse Attorneys) will discuss both these mechanisms from an investor as well as legal perspective. Andrew Bailey (Research Contracts and Innovation, UCT) will host the discussion. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions to the panellists.
The professionalisation of research management has been a key strategic goal for the Southern African Research and Innovation Management Association (SARIMA) for some time. To better understand the capacity needs and professional development preferences of the Southern African research management community SARIMA conducted several surveys amongst its members which resulted in a professionalisation strategy. A phased approach was adopted starting with a consultative project to design a Professional Competency Framework (PCF) for research managers in Southern Africa.
We are excited to announce that the 2020 SARIMA Conference will be held as a Virtual Conference from 4 to 6 August 2020!
SARIMA is committed to continue with the planning of the conference programme during the ongoing uncertainty around COVID-19. We therefore look forward to the opportunity to host our First Virtual Conference, which will be managed on a conference management platform, and we aim to provide our stakeholders with the opportunity to connect, engage, network and share best practices in a different, but still interactive way!
Workshop: Introduction to Traditional Knowledge Systems and Biological Resources | 2 – 3 March 2020
February 2020
According to the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), traditional knowledge (TK) is a living body of knowledge passed on from generation to generation within a community and often forms part of a people’s cultural and spiritual identity. TK is not static and is constantly developing in thriving communities. Biological resources, on the other hand, refers to any biotic component found within an ecosystem with actual or potential value. In many cases, biological resources and TK overlap, such as in the realm of traditional medicine.
SARIMA welcomes you to participate in our first online webinar for 2019!
Innovation & Technology Transfer management is a relatively new profession within research organisations, particularly so in developing economies, and clearly defined or documented standards for specific competencies of skill sets are limited. A recognised international program for professional accreditation of technology transfer professionals is provided by the Alliance for Technology Transfer Professionals (ATTP). Professionals can register with ATTP to become a Registered Technology Transfer Professional (RTTP). This accreditation provides significant value to upwardly mobile technology transfer professionals.
The Research Impact and Stakeholder Engagement (RISE) Working Group is developing material under the broad remit of research impact and stakeholder engagement to benefit the work of INORMS (International Network of Research Management Societies) member associations. As a member association, SARIMA will be disseminating outputs of the working group with our members as they progress.
Due to Covid-19 and international travel restrictions, the 2020 edition of the conference in Hiroshima, Japan was postponed to 2021, pushing the SARIMA hosted event into 2023. In light of the uncertainties still facing international travel and conferences, SARIMA has made the difficult decision to move the INORMS 2023 Conference from the destination location of Mauritius back to South Africa.
After much anticipation, SARIMA launches its new and improved website that brings a host of new and updated features. A revamped membership registration portal will allow SARIMA members to register and pay for various membership options with ease.
SARIMA has embarked on the development and delivery of a suite of virtual courses to allow our broader membership, especially those beyond South Africa, easier access to training interventions.
SARIMA is set to launch a Brand new initiative, the “Expert-in Residence” programme, initiated to address a specific need in technology transfer.
SARIMA will continue to implement in 2019 the Local Technology Transfer Exchange (LTTE) programme which was piloted two years ago, with funding support from the South African Department of Science and Technology (DST).
It is with great pleasure that we announce the new President-Elect for SARIMA whom will take over the ropes from the current President during the upcoming annual conference in September 2019.
In response to the need for professional recognition status of research management professionals in Southern Africa, SARIMA initiated discussions with other partner organisations at the INORMS Congress in 2016 for the establishment of the inaugural International Professional Recognition Council (IPRC).
SARIMA, in partnership with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Funding Assurance and the African Academy of Sciences (AAS) hosted a Research Management forum on the funding assurance landscape and interventions to strengthen the delivery of efficient and accountable research administration in Southern Africa.
The West African Research and Innovation Management Association (WARIMA) held its 12th annual conference at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, from 25-30 November, 2018 and was focused on “Strengthening Research, Innovation Incubation and Knowledge Product Delivery for National and Regional Development”.
The International Technology Transfer Exchange (ITTE) Programme, funded by the South African Department of Science and Technology (DST) and piloted by SARIMA in 2017 was a resounding success, supporting seven individuals from public research institutions.
The DST/SARIMA Excellence Awards was initiated in 2014 to celebrate excellence in R&I Management in Southern Africa. The awards encourage growth and achievement in the field of R&I Management as a key enabler of research and innovation towards global public good.
Forging new partnerships to deliver certified online short courses in research management
January 2018
SARIMA has partnered with WITS Digital Campus (WITS University) and LR Management Group (LMRG) to develop and deliver a suite of online short-courses focusing mainly on Research Management.
The results of South Africa’s National Survey of Intellectual Property (IP) and Technology Transfer (TT) at Publicly Funded Research Institutions was launched on 12 April 2017, at the Innovation Hub, by the Minister of Science and Technology, Naledi Pandor.
