Abstract

The inability of Africa to absorb or assimilate the aid received in the last 30 years is largely due to insufficient human resources with the capacity of analysis, generation, management, and practical use of research results. To make it possible for African researchers to create, invent, and innovate for development, this project will develop the capacity of three research institutions in the region, all of whom benefit from IDRC's help : École supérieure de gestion (CESAG); Centre ivoirien de recherches économiques et sociales (CIRES); et Centre régional pour le développement et la santé (CREDESA). It will identify their problems and needs to formulate hypotheses for institutional help concerning training; define a philosophy and develop a theory in this context; and come up with a strategy for research orientation. The project will also find the means to enable African researchers to be trained in their own country or region of origin thus opening new paths for their research activity.

Post-Project Summary

The project took the form of case studies of three African institutions that had benefitted from IDRC's assistance for varying lengths of time: CIRES for 10 years; CESAG for 3 years; and CREDESA for less than 2 years. The nature of, and justification for, the assistance; the accomplishments of the institution during the period; and the constraints encountered, were examined with respect to each. In general, IDRC's support allowed the institutions to acquire important pedagogical and support equipment, to train personnel, and to undertake research; however, the results were mitigated by various socioeconomic, cultural, political, and institutional factors (summarized in the final report). The need for long-term assistance to allow the institutions to consolidate their gains was reiterated. Elements of an appropriate strategy of support would include the following: paying more attention to the global context of the recipient countries; involving other institutions in the programs supported; seeing that project heads received financial management support; devising mechanisms for allowing institutions to take charge at the end of the period of assistance; and setting up a cultural service to ensure that training and research activities are relevant within the sociocultural context.

Recipient Institution(s)