Multidisciplinary collaboration between UCB and Flemish universities
In this community talk we presented the importance and the impact of a long term and multidisciplinary cooperation: the case of the Institutional University Cooperation (IUC) with the Université Catholique de Bukavu (UCB) in the Eastern part of the DRCongo.
Given the context in which the cooperation program started, i.e. after more than a decade of wars in the country, the choice was made to concentrate on the management of the post-conflict recovery process, with a focus on three key areas: Agriculture, Mining & Health.
Scientific research is needed to create new knowledge but also to generate data that inform decision-makers on choices they have to make to promote development.
The collaboration between UCB and the Flemish universities started in 2010. A Closing event was organized in November 2021.
Via this link, you can access to several video’s (French spoken) and presentations, used for the Closing event.
https://ucbukavu.ac.cd/international-university-cooperation/
During this talk we illustrated how this type of cooperation has been important for the region and for the UCB in particular.
Here are the 5 main impressions from this Community Talk
Tips for good management of an IUC program:
- Organise efficient communication at programme (PSU) and project levels with regular physical and online meetings. It is crucial that team members from the North travel to the South partner to better understand the local context and working conditions.
- The IUC programme should be embedded in the university with a direct link to the top management of the institution.
- Formulation of the program should be demand-driven and with the participation of relevant stakeholders.
- Preferably hire an FT programme manager and use as much as possible the existing financial flows and procedures.
- Develop clear procedures and guidelines (including for the selection of scholarships) and share them regularly with all team members and students.
For all questions, also related to the academic projects, please contact martine.dekoninck@kuleuven.be (ICOS) who will bring you in contact with the relevant person within the IUC with UCBukavu.
You weren't able to attend the Community Talk?
Check out the PowerPoint