RESEARCH INNOVATION

AND DEVELOPMENT (RID)

POLICY

P O Box 35138 Kampala

Uganda East Africa

www.afru.ac.ug

May 2022

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 Table of Contents

1.0 PREAMBLE ............................................................................................................................. 3

2.0 PURPOSE OF RESEARCH, INNOVATIONS & DEVELOPMENT POLICY ..................... 3

3.0 STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES .................................................................................................... 4

4.0 GUIDING PRINCIPLES .......................................................................................................... 4

4.1 Creating a conducive, enabling and efficient environment for research, innovations and

development ................................................................................................................................ 4

4.2 Develop and strengthen research management and coordination ......................................... 6

4.3 Create and nurture research and publications culture ........................................................... 7

4.4 Lobbying for funding for research, innovations and development ....................................... 8

5.0 WAY FORWARD .................................................................................................................... 9

5.1 Implementations .................................................................................................................... 9

5.2 Notification............................................................................................................................ 9

5.3 Date of Commencement ........................................................................................................ 9

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1.0 PREAMBLE
Research, Innovation & Development (RID) absorbs invaluable resources to the university and
great need for transformation of community. The RID activities have great influence on growth
of institutions both private and public as well as nations. As a result these RID activities must be
grounded in the nation’s economic, social, religious, political and scientific & technological
processes and systems. A policy in this direction must respond to societal problems through
design of feasible interventions for maximum benefit.

The ultimate benefit of research is societal change through spiritual formation, new technologies,
and properly & strategically designed interventions. In order to meet this objective it is vital that
the entire research process be pursued within context of effective policy, contemporary
knowledge, good biblical and research ethics, adequate resources, national and international
cooperation. Within the context of Africa Renewal University (AfRU) Research, Innovations &
Development necessitate multi-disciplinary approaches that support the vision and mission of
AfRU.

Established in 2007 as Gaba Bible Institute, Africa Renewal University is one of the youngest
universities situated on Mityana Road Buloba. More to say it is the only university serving the
entire of Mityana Road right away from Busega to Hoima. This suggests that AfRU has a wider
geographical coverage for research and innovation and this will be exacerbated by Uganda Oil
Refinery that is yet to be built in the University neighborhood.

AfRU seeks to embrace research as one of her strongest departments through encouraging and
providing more opportunity to team/multidisciplinary research, innovation & development on
one hand, and on the other hand rationalizing various activities in a broader framework of
university research & innovations. The policy highlights emphasis on collaboration, provision of
research opportunities, quality and ethical research and innovation, high level efficiency and
effectiveness in coordination and management of research, innovation & development at Africa
Renewal University. The policy does not address issues pertaining to intellectual property
management (IPM)1

In achieving the purpose of this policy, AfRU will be working with Uganda National Council &
Technology (UNCST), National Agricultural systems, National Health & International systems,
National & International Religious systems, Uganda National Council for Science and
Technology (UNCHE).

2.0 PURPOSE OF RESEARCH, INNOVATIONS & DEVELOPMENT POLICY

The overall aim of Research, Innovations & Development Policy is to establish and nurture a
vibrant Research Community, and increase the contribution of Africa Renewal University to the
world of knowledge, spirituality, innovation and development. Consistent with our Vision and

1
The IPM is contained in a separate policy document

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Mission, and driven by our Core Values, this will be achieved through 6 strategic objectives as
shown in section 3.0.

3.0 STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

i. To create a conducive, enabling and efficient environment for research, innovations and
development
ii. To develop and strengthen research management and coordination
iii. To create and nurture research and publications culture
iv. To lobby for funding for research, innovations and development
v. To encourage gender responsiveness of the University through research, innovations and
development
vi. To train and mentor AfRU students in research for transformation of society

4.0 GUIDING PRINCIPLES

4.1 Creating a conducive, enabling and efficient environment for research, innovations and
development
The policy recognizes that a conducive environment is essential to foster research, innovations
and development in the University. Within the portfolio of university activities, research,
teaching, community outreach and spiritual mentoring should be appropriately balanced to allow
ample time for research, publication, and grants writing. Such an environment will be created
through the following strategies:

4.1.1 Create ample time to faculty that is adequate for Research, innovations &
development.

The university shall therefore:

i. Create 3 months period from May to August (holiday) for all faculty to have research &
writing camps
ii. Encourage the formation of multi-disciplinary research teams at the university research &
writing camps
iii. Ensure training of faculty in state–of-the-art- research
iv. Provide 20% of the total time required to write a grant proposal2

4.1.2 Provision of faster Internet, and other ICT services. The university shall, therefore:

2
This 20% is irrespective of whether grant is won or not BUT must not exceed 5 times of consecutive unsuccessful
grants. Researcher must be able to hand in the grant application before one week to deadline.

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 i. Provide faster internet and other ICT facilities at the Research department and every
academic unit for purposes of research writing and publication
ii. Provide access to e-resources and services/software for purposes of data management and
analysis

4.1.3 Researcher’s time compensation shall be provided for at 10% of total cost of a grant
proposal won

4.1.4 Support researchers to attend and present papers/posters at national and

international conferences. This shall be achieved through the following

i. Provision for travel support in Research Unit’s budgets to facilitate

attendance and welfare at conferences
ii. Inclusion of a budget line for attendance at conferences/workshops in
research projects
iii. A requirement for staff to be supported to have obtained invitations to
present papers/posters or chair sessions at these meetings3
iv. Support shall be in part of in total depending on availability of funds

4.1.5 Africa Renewal University shall generate a research agenda periodically

i. Departments shall formulate research priorities that will feed into research agenda4
ii. The priorities identified shall reflect national and international research objectives,
priorities and trends5
iii. Research shall promote religious, both basic & applied research
iv. The review of research agenda shall be pegged to the review of the University strategic
plan

4.1.6 Encourage and facilitate national, regional and international collaboration and
networking. AfRU shall:

i. Operationalize and nurture existing MOUs at Africa Renewal University

ii. Enter into MOU with leading research and higher education institutions

4.1.7 Provide library resources to facilitate access to international literature and data
bases. The university shall, therefore:

i. Continue to subscribe to relevant data bases with information for researchers

ii. Create and maintain AfRU Research Journal6

3
Invitation letter shall be in your file at the University HR
4
AfRU Research Priorities are “GET PEE” G=Governance, E= Economic development, T=Theology training, P=Public
health, E=Environment, E=Education & Patriotism
5
According to Strategic Development Goals (SDGs)

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4.2 Develop and strengthen research management and coordination
The policy recognizes that research activities carried through departments and Research unit in
AfRU have to be managed properly in a fair and transparent manner. This will be achieved
through the following strategies:

4.2.1 Academic staff to continually update their skills in research. This shall be achieved
through:

i. Conducting regular research training workshops/seminars both at AfRU and beyond in

grant proposal writing, research writing and dissemination, etc
ii. Developing and updating research management tools such as hand books and
guidelines

4.2.2 Provide regulations for organizing services related to research

i. Develop guidelines for engaging persons employed from research funds (research
assistants, data managers, administrators, etc)

4.2.3 Develop a mentoring culture in research. The following shall be received through

i. Required as part of employment package for senior members of staff [researchers] to

work with junior members of staff and students [bachelors] on research projects for
mentoring and supervision
ii. Support senior academic members of AfRU to work with junior members of staff to
produce joint publications
iii. Mainstream gender and actively involve women in research activities

4.2.4 Provide guidelines for supervisors and supervisees concerning research process for quality
and timely completion. To this end, the university shall:

i. Continue to update , operationalize and review periodically guidelines for supervision

of students
ii. Disseminate widely the research guidelines for AfRU students

4.2.5 Strengthen the research management and coordination function at institutional and
departmental level

i. The university shall develop a governance structure for research and coordination
a. There shall be a Research, Innovation, Development and Publications
committee at departmental [Research] level
b. Administrative responsibilities regarding research management at
departmental level shall be specified by AfRU Senate

6
The suggested name for AfRU journal is “AfRU Multidisciplinary Journal-AfRU MuJ”

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 c. Provide tools for internal procedures for approval, control, monitoring and
coordination of research, innovation and development

4.2.6 There shall be the Africa Renewal University Board of Research and Publications to guide
the research, innovation and Development function of the university. The academic registrar
shall provide the secretariat.

i. The functions of the Board and Publications shall be:

a. Review periodically the policy on Research, Innovations & Development
b. Develop policy on sourcing and management of research funds
c. Oversee the scholarly aspects of AfRU MuJ
d. Submit to Board of Research and Publication 6-monthly reports on its activities
ii. There shall be technical sub-committees to assist the university Board of Research
and Publications in implementing its mandate. These shall include
a. The Ethics committee
b. Intellectual property Management committee
c. Editorial Board of Africa Renewal University Multidisciplinary Journal
(AfRU MuJ)

4.3 Create and nurture research and publications culture

In order for AfRU to attain a higher position in research output, the policy recognizes the
research and publication culture should be nurtured. This shall be realized through the following:

4.3.1 Provide incentives /reward for research

i. Staff shall spend at least 20% of their time research and dissemination. The
university shall:
a. Ensure maintenance of satisfactory staff to student ratios in line with the
academic policy
b. Require staff at levels of assistant lecturer and above to publish at least one paper
per year in a peer reviewed journal
c. Require lecturers to encourage their supervisees to publish at least one paper
before they graduate
d. Develop, operationalize and update periodically a system of tracking of staff
research and outputs
e. Require staff to publish research findings in form of policy briefs for use by
policy makers
f. Recognize and reward staff for outstanding performance in research, innovations
& development
g. Develop, operationalize and review periodically guidelines on how to identify
and reward staff for outstanding research, innovation and development

4.3.2 Provide and support platforms for dissemination of research outputs

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 The university shall:

i. Create platforms for staff and students to disseminate research outputs such as
seminars and locally hosted journals, newsletter and bulletins (both softcopy and
hard copy)
ii. Support departments to organize regular conferences
iii. Support regular public presentations and debates on topical areas of national and
international concern
iv. All research reports shall be deposited with the university library at the researcher’s
(staff & students) cost

4.3.3 Promote ethical conduct of research in the University

The University shall:

i. Support the establishment of Institutional Review Board to oversee ethical

conduct of research at the departments
ii. Develop, operationalize and review periodically guidelines on good research
practices and misconduct

4.4 Lobbying for funding for research, innovations and development

The policy acknowledges the significance of securing adequate funds for faculty to conduct
publishable research, to attend national and international meetings and to contribute to the
income of the university. It is envisaged that the following strategies will outsource and develop
funding for Research, Innovations and Development at AfRU. To this end, the University shall:

4.4.1 Commit at least 2.5% of the internally generated funds to research and innovations
annually

4.4.2 Require AfRU students to contribute towards cost of research. The amounts paid shall be
recommended by the Board of Research and Publication

4.4.3 Require all research projects to contribute 10% (3% to the department, 3% to the faculty,
and 4% retained at Research Unit) of the research costs as institutional indirect costs. This shall
be reviewed by Board of Research and Publication from time to time.

4.5 Encourage gender responsiveness of the University through research, innovations &
development

4.5.1 Encourage involvement of women in research teams

4.6 Train and mentor AfRU students in research for transformation of society

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4.6.1 To train students in doing research that has an element embracing AfRU core values7

5.0 WAY FORWARD

5.1 Implementations
i. The university Board of Research and Publications will implement and regularly review
this policy.
ii. This Policy will be implemented as complimentary or supplementary to the terms and
conditions of other University policies.
iii. In cases where there are exceptions due to special circumstances, this will require the
explicit consent of the Vice Chancellor. Prior to this, the Vice Chancellor will, when
possible, seek guidance from the University Council. When circumstances do not allow
prior consultation, then the Vice Chancellor most notify the University Council at the
soonest opportune time.
iv. This Policy applies of all currently running research projects and written agreements
between the University and persons or organization, entered into prior to the date this was
approved and adopted by the University Council.
v. Renewed, revised or amended agreements after this Policy has been adopted by the
University Council will be required to confirm to the specification of this policy.
vi. The University Senate shall be responsible for developing implementation guidelines or
procedures after the adoption of this Policy.

5.2 Notification
Persons subject to the terms of this Policy shall be informed by the School of Postgraduate
Studies and Research upon adoption and communicating its terms at regular intervals on a
continuous basis.

5.3 Date of Commencement

The commencement shall be May 2022

THE END

7
AfRU Core values are found in Student hand book

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