2024 SRIM II - Eswatini
The 2024 Eswatini SRIM II Symposium was held 19-20 June at the Happy Valley Hotel Ezulwini
• Theme: The Role of Research and Innovation Management in Accelerating Inclusive Multidisciplinary Research and Promoting Research Impact
• Programme: Click here
• Programme Proceedings - 19 June 2024: Click here & 20 June 2024: Click here
Introduction
Eswatini is a participant in the Strengthening Research and Innovation Management (SRIM) II Programme which is partly sponsored by the South Africa Department of Science and Innovation and SADC Secretariat and implemented by the Southern Africa Research and Innovation Management Association (SARIMA). The SRIM II Programme is part sponsored by the South Africa Department of Science and Innovation and SADC Secretariat and implemented by the Southern Africa Research and Innovation Management Association (SARIMA). The overarching goal of the SRIM II programme is to support, facilitate and promote management of science, technology, and innovation (STI) at institutional, national and regional levels for socio-economic value and wealth creation. The SRIM II key objectives include:
- Promoting connection and cooperation between R&I management practitioners, institutions and other role players within the SADC R & I ecosystem.
- Advancing R & I management and strengthening the professional and technical skills and capacity of institutions and practitioners in the SADC region.
- Developing knowledge outputs and resources for better coordination and support of the R & I ecosystem in the region.
The Department of Research Science Technology and Innovation which is under the Ministry of ICT will be hosting the Research & Innovation Management Symposia under Strengthening Research & Innovation Management II (SRIM II) in SADC in June 2024. The Country Symposia is an activity under the SRIM II programme envisioned to be a two-day hybrid (virtual and in-person) event that brings together key actors across the various national research and innovation (R&I) ecosystems to engage on key issues, challenges and opportunities within the respective national R&I ecosystems
The symposium seeks to create awareness on the role of research and innovation management in supporting and accelerating impactful multidisciplinary research endeavours while advocating for the establishment of dedicated research and innovation management system in national tertiary institutions. The theme of the conference is therefore “The role of Research and Innovation Management in Accelerating Inclusive Multidisciplinary Research and Promoting Research Impact.” In today's fast-paced and increasingly interconnected world, the need for collaborative and inclusive research efforts has never been more important. From tackling global challenges such as climate change and healthcare disparities to driving economic growth and technological advancement, research and innovation management are essential in ensuring that multidisciplinary research is inclusive, impactful, and able to address the complex challenges of the 21st century. Research and innovation management play a critical role in accelerating inclusive research and promoting research impact. By facilitating collaboration, promoting diversity and inclusion, and ensuring responsible and ethical research practices, research and innovation managers can help to drive the research efforts that are better equipped to address the complex challenges of our time. Moreover, by supporting the translation of research findings into practical applications and solutions, research and innovation management can help to ensure that research has a tangible impact on society, the economy, and the environment. As we continue to work towards a more sustainable, equitable, and innovative future, the role of research and innovation management will remain crucial in supporting and accelerating impactful research endeavours.
Hosting the Research and Innovation Management Symposium in Eswatini will bring about a myriad of benefits, encompassing academic advancements, networking and collaboration opportunities, economic impact, knowledge transfer, capacity building, and the promotion of the country's research and innovation ecosystem.
- The symposium has the potential to stimulate collaboration among researchers, promote research impact, and contribute to the country's overall development.
- The symposium also presents an exciting opportunity for researchers and research and innovation professionals to come together and engage in meaningful discussions, exchange ideas, and gain insights into the latest trends and developments in research and innovation management.
- It is a vital tool for creating awareness of research and innovation management, advocating for the establishment of dedicated research and management offices in tertiary institutions in the country and for capacity building of research and management professionals.
- It is anticipated that the symposium will ultimately stimulate interest in the establishment of dedicated Research and Innovation Management Systems in the National Universities and Research Centres to provide support to the researchers, facilitate external collaboration, promote a multi-disciplinary approach to innovation and manage issues regarding research funding, financing through private sources, coordination of innovation and collaboration projects, research communication.
Sub-themes of the symposium
The role of research and innovation management in accelerating inclusive multidisciplinary research and promoting research impact is a critical aspect of advancing knowledge and addressing complex global challenges. As such, the symposium will take into account the following subthemes that reflect the diverse set of issues and opportunities that exist within this domain.
The symposium will address the following sub-themes:
Diversity and inclusion in research and innovation
Research and innovation management practices plays a key role in ensuring that research teams are diverse and inclusive, and that research processes are accessible to individuals from a range of backgrounds and experiences. By addressing this subtheme, the symposium will explore how diversity and inclusion can be integrated into research and innovation management practices, and the potential benefits that this can bring for the quality and impact of research.
The role of multidisciplinary research in addressing complex challenges.
Research and innovation management practices have a key role to play in supporting and facilitating cross-disciplinary and multidisciplinary research, and the symposium will explore how these practices can be best leveraged to promote collaboration and integration across disciplines.
Research impact and the translation of research outcomes into real-world benefits.
This subtheme speaks to the need to ensure that research efforts are not just producing knowledge for knowledge's sake, but are also making a tangible difference in the world. Research and innovation management practices can support the translation of research outcomes into practical applications and policy insights, and the symposium could explore best practices and case studies in this area.
Ethical and responsible research practices.
As research endeavours become ever more complex and interconnected, it is crucial that we are attentive to the ethical implications of our research efforts, and that we are committed to conducting research in a responsible and accountable manner. The symposium could explore how research and innovation management practices can support ethical research conduct, and how these practices can be integrated into the broader research landscape.
The role of Artificial Intelligence in Research and Innovation Management
Artificial Intelligence (AI) reshapes is key in how future research and innovation management is conducted. Consistent with rapid technological development and the replacement of human organization, AI may indeed compel management to rethink a company's entire innovation process. Research and innovation managers are increasingly faced with highly volatile and changing environments, evermore competitive global markets, rival technologies, and dramatically changing political landscapes AI has the potential to create better ways for firms to respond to their increasingly competitive environment, manage the growing amounts of information around them and ensure maximum impact of their research efforts.
