Overview
Role of universities and research institutions in managing knowledge for a sustainable inclusive growth in Sudan
2nd Diaspora International Conference
11-12 June, 2015
The Grand Hotel, Brighton, United Kingdom
A critical focus of the conference has been placed on reconnecting Sudanese academic and research institutions with the discourse of sustainable inclusive growth. As knowledge production sites, the University’s engagement in national economic growth and the broader development agenda is nothing new. Ever since the beginning of modern science, knowledge has been sought from the University and today, more than ever before in human history, the wealth – or poverty – of nations depends on the quality of its higher education. According to UNESCO, universities are not just for teaching purposes, but also contribute through research in science and technology and in the social and human sciences, to the advance of knowledge, to the creation of new knowledge, to cultural development and fulfilment, to the solving of the problems with which the society is faced, to SD.
There are clearly opportunities for academic and research institutions and societies in Sudan to contribute more effectively towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and SD. At all levels and on all scales of endeavour, the role of universities and research institutions is crucial to resolve the economic, social and environmental problems that make current development paths unsustainable. Sudanese universities and research institutions can make a leading contribution to tackling major problems such as: fighting disease; overpopulation and urbanisation; the digital/information divide and the impacts of information technology systems on world financial markets; coping with climate change; confronting the water crisis; defending the soil; preserving forests, fisheries and biodiversity; trade in biotechnological products and building a new ethic of global stewardship.
However Sudanese universities are not considered as integral elements of national research system and the policies which guide collaboration between universities and research institutions are lacking. The reasons for such not very strong linkages include: missing national research policy; differing research objectives; differing research activities; missing information on ongoing and proposed research; differing organisational structure, especially with regard to planning, coordinating, and monitoring and evaluation; differing qualifications of staff members (degree-level or specialisation); differing reward systems; their belonging to different ministries with different budgets, rules, regulations, and demands; traditional linkages with different institutions (with different objectives); missing formal linkages; missing incentives for staff members to link (assumption that costs are higher than benefits) as well as competition for available research resources between the institutions.
International Partners and Network
- Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU), University of Sussex, UK
- Middle Eastern Knowledge Economy Institute (MEKEI), UK
- Smart KM, UK
- Emerald Group Publishing, UK
- Sudan Knowledge, UK
Diaspora
The collaboration between the Diaspora and those working within the country of origin offers several opportunities and contributes to increase productivity towards sustainable and inclusive knowledge-based growth. Building constructive relationships between the Diasporas and countries of origin require that Diasporas be treated not as a mere resource, but as partners and investors with mutual benefits.
It has long been argued that Diasporas will be most interested in contributing to SD efforts when they have a sense of belonging in relation to their country of origin. Therefore, it is very important to establish trust between Diasporas and governments in the country of origin. In doing so, governments need to invest in identifying their Diasporas abroad and in understanding their skills and interests.
Many sustainability problems can only be tackled by connecting the diaspora with those working within the country of origin, for example combating the results of climate change, diseases such as malaria, reservation of natural resources, fighting land degradation or limiting the loss of biodiversity and many other problems. Moreover, knowledge or evidence-based policymaking is indispensable if gaps in living standards are to be narrowed. Therefore, building capacity in country of origin is necessary for competing in the global arena and there it is critical to turn the diaspora into a positive tool for SD as well as serving as role models for the youth in the country of origin.
Location
Grand Brighton Hotel, 97-99 King's Rd, Brighton, England BN1 2FW, United Kingdom
Team
The conference is organised by several committees from WASD and under close supervision of WASD Advisory Board.
WASD Team
- Prof. Allam Ahmed: Co-Chair and President WASD
- Janet Snow: International Coordinator and Editor
- N. Joseph Navinraj: Publishing
- Ahmed Abdeldaim: Project Coordinator
- Joseph Adamson: Video Production
- Moniem Ibrahim: Video Production
- Vicky Trainer: Graphic Designer
