Seminar – Launch of Swedish–African Research Arena (SARA) report

The results of an in-depth study on the establishment of a Swedish cooperation hub for research, innovation, and higher education on the African continent will be presented at a seminar on 14 March. STINT was tasked with conducting this study by the Africa working group of IntSam, the national coordinating function for the funding of international research and innovation collaborations outside the EU.

Africa is both the world’s fastest growing and demographically youngest continent. Dynamic long-term development may therefore be expected. Technological development has facilitated greater access to areas of science and technology previously reserved for high-income countries, such as space research. New strategies and a clearer research direction in the African higher education system are reflected in the fact that African universities in recent years have climbed in university rankings. This development may be expected to attract more talent, research partnerships, and investments to Africa, as well as lead to greater competitiveness, democratisation, and knowledge-driven economies.

Swedish research collaborations with African countries have traditionally focused on capacity building and were closely connected to development aid. However, there are good reasons to develop a new approach in future, focused on research collaborations that prioritise equal partnerships and mutual benefit.

At this seminar, the study’s conclusions and recommendations on the establishment of the cooperation hub will be presented by Dr Erik Forsberg, who led the study. Dr Katarina Bjelke, Director General of the Swedish Research Council, will comment on its proposals.

Programme

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