Universities in Africa - HEICAT analysis

An analysis of 10 HEICAT parameters for the top 200 African universities (as ranked by Webometrics, Jan 2019). The parameters are:•Strategic Research Management – An institution takes strategic approach to research management through identifying areas of institutional strength and focus. •Opportunity Scanning – An institution systematically reviews international research grant and collaboration opportunities. •Research/Grant Management – Every institution has administrative unit(s) which is responsible for research and grant management with a systematic approach to reviewing and approving research. •Research Dissemination – An institution has procedures in place to disseminate research outputs (e.g. publishing unit for handling journals, newsletters, monographs and series; and a public communications unit)•Research Ethics – An institution has a documented research ethics procedure which is consistently applied. •Professional Contribution – Universities or research institutes require their faculties to publish in professional journals, present papers at conferences and take part in professional organizations. •Research Incentives – Institutions provide enabling environment for research (e.g. time, training, facilities) which incentivise research activity. •Professional Development – Faculties are supported in developing necessary skills and knowledge to undertake research successfully (e.g. grant writing skills, research methods skills, training on research ethics). •Student Research – Research is integrated into curriculum at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. •Sufficiency of Research Facilities – Equipment and facilities supporting the institution’s research activities is sufficient to ensure smooth and uninterrupted operations.These 10 parameters were selected because they focus on research and research management and administration activities. Each parameter is tracked on the websites of the selected universities and rated as follows:Does not meet criterion (1);Somewhat Compliant (2);Meets Criterion (3);Exceeds Criterion (4).