University research management: an emerging profession in the developing world

Abstract

Policy makers have increasingly recognised the role which universities can play in economic growth in recent years. One consequence of this has been a dramatic growth in university research management systems in developed countries. The lack of such systems in African universities threatens to further widen their relative disadvantage in securing and managing external funding. Recent surveys demonstrate growing awareness of this among the universities themselves, and that support has been received from a range of international donors to address the problem. This, however, has not yet succeeded in the creation of sustainable long-term structures at institutional level. A more coherent approach to the problem will be required over the next decade, and a framework is suggested to guide this.