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Bringing Sisyphusian Tenacity to Work:

BuildingCapacity and Competence

throughCollaboration and Confidence

Andreas Steigen, Director

Centre for Studies of Environment and Resources

University of Bergen, Norway

Research without (Southern) BordersMay 22. & 23. 2003, Ottawa, Canada

National Policies and StrategiesMinistry of Foreign Affairs, January 1999

Strategy for strengthening research and higher education in the context of Norway’s relations with developing countries

• Strengthening of research and higher education and use of research-based knowledge in the South

• Support for international research • Research and commissioned studies as a

basis for Norwegian South policy • Coordination and integration

Strengthening of research and higher education and use of research-based knowledge in the South

• The objective of Norwegian research assistance and support for competence- and capacity-building in the South is:

• to improve the developing countries’ ability to carry out research and higher education on the basis of the countries’ own needs and their ability to make use of existing research results

Support for research and higher education through NORAD

• The objectives of NORAD’s support to research and higher education in the South are:

• to promote conditions that advance and encourage the development and use of research-based knowledge,

• to contribute to the development of universities and other relevant institutions for higher education and research in their capacity as key institutions for teaching, research and the dissemination of knowledge, and as contributors to development.

Cooperation with Norwegian institutions on support for higher education and training

• The purpose of support for higher education and training in cooperation with Norwegian institutions is:

• to strengthen competence and capacity in key subject areas of strategic importance to recipient countries and where the Norwegian institutions have particular expertise and competence.

Collaboration between research institutions in Norway and in developing countries

• The purpose of cooperation between research institutions in Norway and corresponding institutions in the South is:

• to help to build up research competence in developing countries,

• to promote South-South collaboration, • to promote a dialogue with research institutions

in the South as part of an integrated Norwegian South policy.

Support for international research

• Through contributions to international research institutions and multilateral organizations whose activities include research, the Foreign Ministry will:

• contribute to the development, dissemination and application of knowledge of global significance and of particular relevance to development in the South in the struggle against poverty, e.g. by improving agricultural systems, food security, the environment, health and social welfare,

• help to ensure that international research institutions emphasize cooperation with developing countries in order to increase research capacity in the South.

The Foreign Ministry will make efforts to ensure that, in addition to scientific quality, international research gives priority to:

• research that is significant for and relevant to the poorest ,• research that is interdisciplinary, socially oriented and

promotes international coordination measures, • research that promotes a women’s perspective and gender

equality , including ways in which women can be integrated into the process of development,

• research that helps to strengthen national research capacity and competence in the South through cooperation between international and national research institutions,

• the use of knowledge and the adaptation of research to local conditions in developing countries,

• the use of research results in the operational activities of multilateral organisations .

Research and commissioned studies as a basis for Norwegian South policy

• The overriding objective of support to Norwegian development research is:

• to contribute to the long-term development of knowledge that can serve as a basis for the formulation of an integrated Norwegian South policy and for planning and follow-up of Norwegian development assistance through bilateral and multilateral channels in terms of management and governance.

The instruments

SIU (Centre for International University Cooperation)

is a Norwegian centre of expertise whose objective is to promote the participation of Norwegian educational and research institutions in international cooperation.

SIU organises the joint efforts of its member institutions, and it manages and develops programmes and support functions for international cooperation.

QuickTime™ and a TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor are needed to see this picture.

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QuickTime™ and a TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor are needed to see this picture.

The overriding goal of the NUFU programme is to contribute to building

competence in research and higher education in developing countries.

NUFU - EQUAL PARTNERSHIPS FOR MUTUAL BENEFITS

NUFU is an acronym for the Norwegian Council for Higher Education´s Programme for Development Research and Education.

Equal and long term collaboration

• Cooperation based on institutional partnership

– Activities and projects initiated by individual researchers

– Assessments, reviews, quality assurance, and reporting by the participating institutions

– External evaluation of projects by NUFU

• NUFU itself evaluated in 2000 by the Dutch agency NUFFIC

– NUFU is successful, playing a significant role; an important and strategic tool for academic development collaboration

• Uniqueness of NUFU:

– Supporting long-term academic, reciprocal collaboration in partnership between universities and colleges in Norway and developing countries

Strategy of the University of BergenDevelopment related education and research

• The strategic plan 2000-2005– Two main priorities:

• Marine research

• Internationalisation,

– especially collaboration with institutions in the third world in education and research

UoB: Strategic main initiatives

• The University of Bergen will uphold its international profile and especially strengthen its research collaboration with countries in the third world.

• This collaboration shall purposely reflect UoB’s responsibility for research in a global perspective.

UoB: Strategic initiatives

• UoB shall give priority to collaboration with institutions in developing countries.

• This collaboration shall be formalised at different levels, be mutual and be organised in projects, exchange programmes, and research education.

• Institutional building in developing countries will be supported

UoB: International bilateral agreements

• Europe (17)• USA (11)• Canada (3)• South America (8)• Africa (6)• Asia (19)• Australia (5)

UoB: NUFU portfolio

• 2002 - 2007 - 19 NUFU - projects (94 mill. NOK)– Africa 13, Asia 5, Middle East 1

– Health 10, Natural Sciences 4, Social Sciences 4, Arts 1

• 1991 - 2001 - 22 NUFU - projects (153 mill. NOK)– Africa 14, Asia 6, Middle East 1, Central America 1

– Health 9, Natural Sciences 5, Social Sciences 6, Arts 2

Other funding sources:

• NORAD scholarship programme– especially designed courses with special relevance

• UoB arrangements– The quota programme (Join our courses!)– The guest researcher programme– The strategic funding programme (seed money)– Special funding from the Office of International Relations– Earmarked funding from

departments/centres/faculties/university• Then: NORAD, NFR, EU, UNDP, UNEP, NGOs, ++

The Mak/UiB collaboration as per May 2003

Compiled by

by Livingstone Luboobi and Andreas Steigen

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The University of Bergen: a brief description

• 7 faculties• 17 000 students• 2 500 faculty and staff• City university• Learning networks• Main priorities:

– Marine research– North-south research

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Makerere University: a brief description

• 20 faculties/institutes/schools • 32 000 students

• Day, evening, external study programmes.

• 5 000 faculty and staff• City university• Learning networks

• East African centres in• Library science• ICT

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The University of Bergen: a brief history

• 1825 Bergen Museum

• 1873 Leprosy bacterium discovered by Dr Armauer Hansen

• 1907 Sundt Chair of Zoology

• 1948 Formal opening

Faculties of Medicine, Mathematics and

Natural Science, Arts

• 1970 Faculties of Dentistry, Social Sciences

• 1980 Faculties of Psychology, Law

• 1986 UNIFOB

• 1986 - 1990 4 centres for Sustainable Development

• 1990 Bertelsmann Prize

• 2002 Three Centers of Excellence granted

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Makerere University: a brief history

1922 - Uganda Technical College, 14 students in Carpentry, Building and Mechanics. Soon offering courses in Medical Care, Agriculture, Veterinary Sciences and Teacher Training.1937 – Makerere starts to offer post-school certificate courses. 1949 - College for the whole of Eastern Africa, with courses leading to General Degrees of the University of London.June 29, 1963 - University of East Africa established, degrees of the University of East Africa were instituted.July 1, 1970 - Makerere became an independent national University of the Republic of Uganda, offering undergraduate and postgraduate courses leading to its own awards.

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A short history of the Mak/UoB collaboration - I

1988 Prof. Endre Lillethun visits Makerere

1990 Application to NUFU for capacity building in Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics

1991-1995 NUFU Project 39/91 Basic Science for Technological Development in Uganda (Phase I)

1993 Change in top executive at Makerere

1996-2001 NUFU Project 39.2/91 Basic Science for Technological Development in Uganda (Phase II)

1997 Professor Livingstone Luboobi project coordinator at Makerere

1998 Professor Andreas Steigen project coordinator at UoB

1999 Frame Agreement signed

2000 Nature, Society and Water project starts

2000 VC John Ssebuwufu bestowed an Honorary Doctorate at UoB

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A short history of the Mak/UoB collaboration - II

2002 NUFU:

• Essential Nutrition and Child Health in Uganda: A Research Project to Promote Innovative Community-based and Clinical Actions.

• Research in Basic Sciences at Makerere and Collaborating Universities to Promote Technological Development.

2002 Agreement for the co-operation of the Libraries at Makerere and UoB is signed

2002 Agreement for the co-operation of the Finance Dept. Makerere and Economy & Budget Dept. UoB is signed

2002 Collaboration between the DICTS at Makerere and the IT Department at UoB.

2002 Collaboration in developing a computerised data base for personnel at Makerere has started

2003 Change in top executive at Makerere.

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The Frame Agreement - I

Article 1: Areas of co-operation

1.1 This agreement shall be considered an element in the strategic work at MU and UoB by giving priority to collaboration projects between scientists from the two academic institutions. There shall be mutual information on ongoing and new international activities, and scientists may be invited to participate in ongoing and future research projects if funding can be provided.

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The Frame Agreement - II

Article 2: Research and teachingArticle 3: Exchange of staffArticle 4: Exchange of graduate studentsArticle 5: Funding and financeArticle 6: AnnexArticle 7: Management and administration of the

collaborationArticle 8: Disputes, time frame, termination, and

ratification

Signed in Kampala, 18th of November 1999

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Present facilities at Makerere

• UoB - coordinator• UoB Offices - seminar room

– all expenses covered by Makerere• Secretary• Administrator of student affairs (funding: 50/50)• Office equipment

– LAN and Internet connection• Boat • Cars• Driver (funded by Makerere)

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Research Project Activities 1

• Nature, Society & Water– Lake Victoria - History of Man and Water

• A comprehensive interdisciplinary study in– Fresh Water Ecology– Social sciences– History– Law

– Total number of students and researchers involved: 14 +

– Funding;• Norwegian Research Council (NFR)• UoB, Makerere, NORAD

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Research Project Activities 2 a

1 Analysis and Application of Anthocyanin Pigments from Flowers, Fruits and Vegetables

2 Chemotaxonomic Investigation of the Fatty Acids Composition in Different Organs of Various Fish Species/Populations from Lake Victoria and Evaluation of their Industrial Applications in Uganda

3 Environmental Chemistry 4 Enhancing and Sustaining Pedagogical Quality in Science and Mathematics

Teacher Education at Makerere University5 Capacity building and joint research in Industrial and Financial Mathematics6 Joint research in Statistics, Mathematical Modelling in Epidemiology and

Numerical Analysis7 Materials Science (to be phased out)8 Environmental Physics: Light and Life in African Environments 9 Environmental Physics: Solar Energy project

Research in Basic Sciences at Makerere and Collaborating Universities to Promote Technological Development. Subprojects:

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Research Project Activities 2 b

• Production:– 1991-2001: 18 PhD (+ 6 UoB), 44 Master, 7

Bachelors– 2002- : 5 PhD (16 registered), 3 Master

• Papers, Seminars, Courses, +++

– Number of staff involved (2002- )• Makerere: 10 +, UoB: 13 +

– Funding:• NUFU

• UoB, Makerere

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Research Project Activities 3

• Essential Nutrition and Child Health in Uganda: A Research Project to Promote Innovative Community-based and Clinical Actions.

– Started 2002• Master and PhD students in Bergen

– Funding;• NUFU

• UoB, Makerere, NORAD

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Research Project Activities 4

• Network in Pathology

– Started 2003 – Master and PhD students in Bergen– Funding;

• NUFU

• UoB, Makerere, NORAD

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Administrative projects - 1

• HURIS – Human Resource Information Systems

• Collaboration within the following major areas:– The Human Resource Information System– The Human Resource Policy Development– Business Process Re-engineering– Human Resource Development

• People involved: Makerere: 8, Bergen: 12

• Funding: Each university has paid its own cost

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Administrative projects - 2

• FINIS – the financial information system:

• Collaboration within the following areas:– Facilitating the implementation of the FINIS

project by sharing experiences– Learning from best practices– Training in implementing financial systems

• People involved: Makerere: 10, Bergen: 8

• Funding: Each university pays its own costs

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Administrative projects - 3

• LIBIS - The Library Information System

• Collaboration areas:• Inter-library Loan• Practical training• Technical support in development and implementation of

a Digital Science Library at Makerere• Development of a Science Library at Makerere• Exchange of literature

• People involved:Makerere: 7, Bergen: 6• Funding: Each university has paid its own costs

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Administrative projects - 4

• DICTS – Directorate for ICT Support

• Collaboration areas:– web design– networking– training and experience exchange

• People involved: Makerere: 4, Bergen: 2• Funding: Most of the costs have so far been on the

MU side. Both universities have paid their own costs.

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How many are involved?

• Researchers and administrative staff: 95

• Total estimate when students and candidates are involved: 150

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Student exchange• An “Agreement on Student Exchange and Joint

Degrees” is being prepared and will be signed in June 2003– Problem areas:

• Credit transfer• Mutual acceptance of joint degrees• Definition of a “Joint” degree

• Increasing student interest• Disciplines involved (so far):

– Psychology, geography, political science, social anthropology, sociology, law, gender studies, medicine, ecology, zoology, botany

– Exchange within the NUFU projects: chemistry, physics, mathematics, science education, environmental science, medicine

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“Agreement on Student Exchange and Joint Degrees” -1

• Topics– Student exchange

• Student admission

• Credit transfer

• Services for exchange students

• General programme admission

– Joint degrees• Issues agreed upon regarding joint degrees

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Student Exchange

2. Credit Transfer2.1) Under the Frame Agreement Mak and UiB shall

mutually recognise credits awarded at the other institution.

2.2) In cases where there is substantial overlap between courses there shall be a deduction in credits corresponding to the overlap.

2.3) The department responsible for the student’s study programme at the home institution shall accept the study plan at the host university before departure. This includes credit recognition.

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Joint Degrees• A Joint Degree is a Master or PhD degree awarded at

both universities in a sandwich programme and/or in joint research programmes between the two universities.

• The principles on which joint Master and PhD degrees rest, are that

There is a matching Master degree at either University in the ordinary degree system.

Candidates shall fulfil the requirements, equivalent or additional, of the two universities for the registration and/or graduation of students at both universities.

A candidate for joint degree should preferably participate in a joint research project going on between the two universities.

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Upcoming Joint Master Programmes

• Joint Master in Water Studies– Water Studies, Integrated management of fresh

water resources and wetlands (Makerere)

This is linked to the master at UoB in

– Water Studies, Integrated coastal zone management (UoB)

(Planned to start September 2003)• Joint Master in Computer Science

• Preliminary discussions started

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Collaborations in the pipeline

• Nile Basin Research Programme • Philosophy• Music• Dance and drama• Archaeology• Psychology• Gender studies• Social anthropology• Collaboration with University of Gambia and

others

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In addition to the achievements indicated above, this should be noted:

• Joint supervision of Masters/Ph.D. students under the NUFU projects has made the collaborations between the various departments at Makerere and the corresponding departments at Norwegian universities strong and sustainable

• The members of staff at Makerere who received support for their Masters degrees in the first phase of the NUFU programme, did their PhDs in the second phase. Now they are involved in collaborative research

Experiences Gained - 1

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• At the beginning the collaboration was between academic departments of Makerere and UoB. Now the collaboration has spread to include administration, finance, ICT, and libraries.

• In the beginning, it was difficult for Makerere to raise funds for collaboration since there were no budget lines for collaborative activities. At present both the administration and the finance departments are actively involved in the collaboration. Budget lines for such collaboration have been established.

• Despite changes of project coordinators and top executives at both Universities during the last 10 years, the collaboration has grown stronger. This is attributed to good governance of the two Universities.

Experiences Gained - 2

Problems solved (almost):

• Communications and web pages • Budgeting and accounting procedures

– Quarterly accounts and budgets

• Banking• Exchange rates• Insurance procedures (AIG in Kampala)• Purchasing (expensive scientific equipment has to be paid

in advance from Bergen before shipped to Makerere)• Repair and services mostly in Uganda• Transport - field work - boat• Library services• Visa are issued very quickly

Pending Problems

• Clearance through customs• Optimal use of money (autumn-spending)• Detailed budgets• Exploding number of students

– Student registration and housing

• Course and curriculum descriptions• To little media exposure

How to make it work

• Mutualism in collaboration • Building self-confidence in partners

Not aid, but cooperation in research and educationCompleting the international network Indicate benefits for all

• Patience, persistence and long time involvement• Friendship and transparency• Gender issues• Natural selection of partners

Substitute partners when necessary• In three words:

Commitment, dedication and loyalty