A meeting for Principal Investigators for 2019-2024 Sida support was convened at the University of Rwanda to discuss priorities and budget implication that will mark the upcoming five year UR-Sweden Programme Phase. The Principal investigators lead seventeen (17) research projects that are eligible for funding in line with the existing bilateral research cooperation between the Government of Sweden and Rwanda.
In his remarks, Amb. Dr Charles Murigande noted that the major priority in the upcoming phase will be allocated to PhD training in the quest to increase the capacity of academics who can teach well and conduct vibrant research. Murigande who is the UR DVC for Institutional Advancement with an oversight responsibility on activities of UR-Sweden Programme also informed participants that the funding would enable the creation of research environment, which will be sustained beyond the support by the Government of Sweden.
Remarks by Amb. Dr Charles Murigande during the meeting
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Raymond Ndikumana the Overall Coordinator of UR-Sweden Programme said that Sida support is expected to train 70 to 80 PhD candidates compared to 52 PhD that were enrolled during the previous phase 2013-2018. According to him, Masters programmes will also be supported in collaboration with 14 Swedish partner universities.
Mr Raymond Ndikumana (R), the Overall Coordinator of UR-Sweden Programme together with Prof Murinda C. Kabwete
Apart from PhD training, the 4th phase will support ICT infrastructure, which will integrate research, students, administration and finance in order to alleviate university services and make sure that research can be conducted in a relatively conducive environment.
Other areas like library will be given an impetus to communicate and share all the research that have been done in the University of Rwanda ranging from bachelor’s dissertation up to PhD thesis. The move will also see all research and published papers digitized and made available through the University repository.
Sections of Principal Investigators who will drive the 4th Phase of Sida support to UR
By Darius Murangwa
Communications Officer