REN’s Vision, Mission and Purpose

Vision of Research Exchange Network (REN:

The vision of the organisation is be the leading catalyst for bridging the gap between academia and industry in Africa, fostering innovation through collaborative, multidisciplinary research that drives sustainable development and socio-economic growth.

Mission of REN:

The organisation’s mission is to create a dynamic platform that connects African universities, industries, and research bodies, enabling the effective dissemination of PhD research. The aim is to promote multidisciplinary collaborations, align academic research with industry needs, and provide opportunities for funding and sponsorship, ultimately ensuring that academic findings contribute to solving real-world challenges across Africa, including those faced by local communities, through inclusive and sustainable development initiatives.

Core Values of REN:

• Collaboration: Fostering partnerships between academia and industry to solve complex problems.

• Innovation: Encouraging novel, multidisciplinary research approaches that drive impactful outcomes.

• Accessibility: Ensuring open access to research findings and knowledge for the benefit of all stakeholders.

• Relevance: Aligning academic research projects with real-world industry needs and societal challenges.

• Sustainability: Promoting research initiatives that contribute to the long-term development goals of Africa.

Specific Objectives:

1.Facilitate Research Dissemination:
• Develop a centralized digital platform for African PhD researchers to showcase their work, making it accessible to industries, policymakers, Community based organizations and the broader public.

2.Promote Multidisciplinary Collaboration:
• Encourage African universities to adopt multidisciplinary and grassroot research approaches by organizing thematic conferences and workshops that bring together experts from diverse fields.

3.Strengthen Industry-Academia Partnerships:
• Establish strong connections between universities and industries, ensuring that PhD research projects align with current industry needs and societal challenges including challenges faced by underserved communities.

4.Support Innovation and Development:
• Provide a space for industries to present their challenges, facilitating targeted research initiatives that lead to innovative solutions, social innovation and new business opportunities.

5.Enhance Funding and Sponsorship Opportunities:
• Create a network that links PhD students with potential sponsors, including businesses, government agencies, and international organizations, to support research projects that have high practical relevance and impactful community-centered research.

6.Promote Knowledge Exchange and Capacity Building:
• Host conferences, seminars, community outreach programs and webinars that highlight impactful research, provide networking opportunities, and facilitate knowledge sharing across African countries.