The 4th edition of the African Scholars Mentorship Network (ASMN 4.0) of DePECOS Institution and Development Research Centre (DIaDeRC) may have come and gone, but the experience have continued to attract plaudits and positive reviews from the participants cutting across over 20 countries not only within the Africa but from other continents (including Asia, Europe and North America). Specifically, ASMN 4.0 had 350 registered participants from 24 countries of the world, including: Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, Czech Republic, Ethiopia, Finland, Germany, Ghana, India, Kenya, Morocco, Malaysia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, The Gambia, Turkey, Uganda, USA, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The 5-week intensive training held between 27th October and 24th November 2024 covered Proposal Writing, Practicality of Grant Winning and Implementation, Nuggets on Publishing in Reputable Outlets, Scaling Local Action into Global Impact through Collaboration on grant proposal writing, winning and implementation and Experience Sharing on Networking for Building a Successful Career. Apart from the DIaDeRC Chair, who served as the host and coordinator of ASMN, Prof Evans Osabuohien, other erudite scholars joined in facilitating the insightful event. They include: Dr Taiwo Afolabi, Dr Judith Ani, Dr Romanus Osabohien, Dr Adenike A. Akinsemolu, and Prof AAA. Atayero.
Numerous testimonials from enthusiastic participants have been pouring in, highlighting their experiences and key takeaways. A few are surmised herein. A faculty from Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Dr Kelechi Anyanwu, said ASMN has bequeathed him with a resilient spirit and knowledge to navigate challenges. According to him, “I have learnt a lot, especially on the need to be resilient, as it is the root of overcoming challenges, both in personal and professional calling.” Dr Anyanwu said the training has opened up new ideas and discovered that social responsibility is the key to sustainable development, where knowledge gained is utilised to address local challenges such as poverty, inequality, and health. He noted that ASMN 4.0 has also helped him to learn that networking, collaboration and building strong relationships are the foundation for growth.
Another participant, Berthilde Mukamfizi from Rwanda, said she was enthused and amazed about the African Scholars Mentorship Network (ASMN) and has learnt about how to use leadership positions to inspire others to attain set goals and things they never thought possible. Another lesson, according to her, was the importance of effective academic publishing strategies, the significance of selecting the right journals, understanding the peer-review process, and the ethical considerations involved in publishing. Ms Mukamfizi said the training has helped her understand the processes involved in research proposal writing; “I now understand how to be motivated to embark on a study, formulating research questions, implementation processes, being conscious of the timeline available to execute, accountability and the need to always evaluate what has been done and pending task”.
A Public Health Professional, Gombe State Ministry of Health, Gombe State, Nigeria, Pharmacist Abubakar Abdulkareem, said the African Scholars Mentorship Network (ASMN) is a timely one for him, as the workshop has impacted him a lot going by his area of interest. “The ASMN 4.0 episodes have opened my knowledge wide in the area of grant proposal writing, publication, networking and collaboration,” he stated. Pharmacist Abdulkareem said the training sessions have enabled him appreciate the need to pay attention to details and comply with the grant awarding organisation’s rules if he is to make a headway in grants application. “Paying attention and adhering to the suggestions of those that have served as reviewers of publication, are now vital for me as they will serve as the bedrock to in my attempts in the quest to avoid pitfalls,” he added.
A Research Assistant, Department of Optometry and Visual Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana, Gabriel Agbeshie, said one major takeaway for him is the importance of collaboration and networking when it comes to grant writing. According to him, “I have also learnt that publishing in high impact journal is very important as an early career researcher, and also avoiding predatory journals. I look forward to implementing these new ideas and also becoming a premium member of ASMN.” Mr Agbeshie appreciated the leadership of DIaDeRC and the ASMN team for organizing this programme, as it has really been resourceful and impactful to him, and many others.
A lecturer from University of Ibadan, Dr Patricia Ajayi, said her major takeaway was understanding the best outlets to execute are publication in. in her words, “The most useful lesson I learnt in Episode 3 is about journal outlets to publish in, I really liked the aspect of sourcing for journals to publish in, the links we have to check out was very key for me, and I must thank the organisers for putting this programme together,” she stated.
Similarly, a faculty member at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria, Olasunbo K. Jubreel, said the ASMN workshop has imbued her with renewed tenacity to pursue integrity and professionalism in all her academic dealings. According to her, “I have learnt the importance of maintaining academic integrity, understanding the standards of scholarly publishing, and being aware of credible and ethical practices in academia,” she added.
A colleague of Ms Jubreel at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria, Damilola Adeomi, said the training on the ‘Nuggets on Publishing in Reputable outlets and Getting Rewarded’ held on November 10th has enlightened her understanding to some aspect of research publication that she didn’t really know while sourcing for journals to publish. “The training on ‘Scaling Local Action into Global Impact Through Collaboration’ held on November 17th 2024 has opened my eye to some aspect that I didn’t really know about collaboration and partnering to attain a larger goal in life, and I must commend the organisers and facilitators for putting this together,” she added.
Temitope Worimegbe, from the Department of Accounting, Redeemer’s University, Nigeria, said the ASMN bootcamp has helped her see a possible templates for sparking local developmental issues and scaling them up to global issues. “I learnt about a number of initiatives that can be replicated and the need to address local issues, which can eventually lead to global reach,” she posited.
A faculty from Mountain Top University, Ibafo, Nigeria, Samson Oladipo, commended the practicality of ideas and initiatives in the business of research, grantsmanship and publication as demonstrated by the facilitators assembled for the workshop. “Practical demonstration of building local idea with consistency into global relevance by the facilitator – Dr. Adenike was indeed inspiring,” he asserted.
Referencing the episode ‘Scaling Local Action into Global Impact Through Collaboration’ a faculty from Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi Uku, Delta State, Nigeria, Grace Addah, said “It has been interesting experience, and quite amazing what the ‘Going Green’ initiative means. According to her, “With this new knowledge, I believe Going Green means I should get on living my life without harming my neighbour or environment, not abusing things. Just like in the pledge, I will never drop that waste on the floor. The going ‘GREEN’ is a good ideology for our nation, Nigeria. If everyone goes ‘GREEN’ it will checkmate a lot of abnormalities in the society,” she added.
Another participant, Mohamed Japhar Diasso, from Burkina Faso said the most useful theme he learnt during this session was that with passion and consistency an initiative can become and instrument for sustainable free enterprise. “The most useful theme I learnt during this session is that going green is going for a sustainable social entrepreneurship impact,” Japhar Diasso posited.
One Maria Davis, from Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Nigeria, said what ASMN 4.0 has helped her understand was the need to see every idea and initiative as a potential tool to propel and champion global change. In her words, “I learnt that the most important purpose of a research should be to impact the immediate and global community in such a way that their voices are heard around the globe.”
A researcher, Elizabeth Abiola-Oke, from Redeemer’s University Ede, Nigeria was enthused by the learning experience at the ASMN bootcamp, noting that it has been a unique learning curve for her. “I have really benefitted immensely from this boot camp. It’s been an eye opener for me, and I appreciate the opportunity,” she added
Another scholar from Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai. Niger State, Aisha Dangana, said the learning experience at the just grantsmanship bootcamp of DIaDeRC was very incisive and has been very innovative in helping her understand the importance of gaining command of any subject of interest. “ASMN 4.0 in general was very insightful. I have learnt a lot as an early career researcher, and I now understand the importance of collaboration, consistency and mastery of subject theme to gain global recognition,” enthused.
A budding research scholar, Catherine Inedu of Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa, Nigeria, said Episode 1 of ASMN 4.0 was very helpful towards professional growth! “I have learnt the basics of grantsmanship and how important it is to ask for help and feedback. This makes me more confident in applying for funding. Thanks, ASMN 4.0,” she stated.
Dr Sheriff Ceesay from Gambia College, Brikama, Gambia, said one of the most useful lessons he gleaned from Episode 1 of ASMN 4.0 is the importance of collaboration and networking in advancing personal and professional growth. Dr Cessay said the episode highlighted how leveraging collective knowledge and resources can help overcome individual limitations and foster innovation. “It emphasized that through strategic partnerships, professionals can enhance their skills, expand their opportunities, and contribute more effectively to their fields. The concept of “mutual support” resonated deeply, illustrating how mentorship and collaboration are pivotal for long-term success,” he added.
The African Scholars Mentorship Network has continued to remain true to her mandate of becoming a critical platform from training young and established scholars on best practices in research publication and grantsmanship procedure, and bequeathing them the requisite visibility towards becoming value-adding scholars in the academia and industry.
The ASMN Premium platform of DIaDeRC has continue to play a critical role in delivering on that mandate. Just recently, 2 of the 6 fellows awarded for the 2nd Edition of the NRFP (Non-Residency Fellowship Programme of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), were alumni ASMN, and Premium Members of the group, namely Dr Aminat Olohunlana and Adesoji Farayibi.
To register and be part of the ASMN Premium platform, check here.
Let’s hear directly from a few of the participants in this short video below.
