UDSM dons applause the 2022-23 research and innovation grants results

Sat, 04.Mar.2023 20.30

By Jackson Isdory, CMU

The University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) academic staff have applauded the selection results of the 5th call for competitive Research and Innovation grants for the year 2022/2023 announced at the end of February, 2023.

The selection results of the 5th call of proposals have indicated that UDSM had allocated TZS 3,155,000,000/= for research and innovation, out of which, TZS 2,450,000,000/- are for research projects and TZS 705,000,000/- for innovative projects.

A section of academic staff who spoke to Communication and Marketing Unit (CMU), said they were indeed satisfied with the competitive process, which offered an opportunity for researchers and innovators to apply for the grants in a transparent and fairness manner.

The University has had this process for five consecutive years, involving allocation of a budget from its internal sources for research and innovation grants. The initiative is undertaken by UDSM so that, as per its vision, it becomes a leading centre of intellectual wealth spearheading the quest for sustainable and inclusive development.

“These projects are very important in solving society's challenges and ensuring that the university invests a lot of vigor in bringing sustainable development to individuals and the nation as a whole”, said UDSM Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor-Research, Prof. Nelson Boniface.

According to the information from the Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor-Research, for the year 2022/2023, a total of 298 projects proposals were submitted and processed by an independent team. Out of these, 88 projects won the research grants while 4 succeeded the innovative grants.

Researching and publishing in reputable international academic journals

Meanwhile, in relation to the selection results, the UDSM Vice Chancellor Prof. William Anangisye has continued to encourage the University members of staff to conduct research and publish in reputable local and international academic journals.

“Publish as a hobby and not as a criterion for climbing academic ranks; publish or perish remains to be our philosophy. We will always utilize the resources available to support research and academic activities for these are our key functions and responsibilities as scholars”, emphasized Prof. Anangisye.

The Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor responsible for Research, Prof. Nelson Boniface encouraged UDSM staff and students to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the university and other institutions that sponsor research and innovation projects.

“We are doing our hardest to make sure that the University of Dar es Salaam Research Agenda 2018/19 - 2027/28 is very well fulfilled. Therefore, research and innovation should always be our first priorities,” added Prof. Boniface.

Prof. Boniface reminded academicians that the government, through Hon. Minister for Education, Science and Technology Prof. Adolf Mkenda (MP) had promised to offer unconditional award of fifty million Tanzania shillings (TZS 50,000,000) for each researcher who would publish in the world's outstanding academic journals.

Dr. Samwel Mchele Limbu, a Senior Lecturer and prolific researcher and publisher at UDSM commended the University Management for maintaining the allocation of the research and innovation grants funds every year for the relevant purpose. He added: “these funds help us a lot to do research especially such studies through which we help in our country’s initiatives to improve her economies for sustainable development".

Table 1: The number of submitted proposals and the selected ones

 

Research Proposals

Innovation Proposals

 

Applications

Selected

Winning (%)

Applications

Selected

Winning (%)

UDSM Main Campus

190

68

36%

18

2

11%

DUCE

46

9

20%

3

1

33%

MUCE

38

11

29%

3

1

33%

Total

274

88

32%

24

4

16%

 

Details of successful applications >>>