The third edition of the African Scholars Mentorship Network (ASMN), a virtual bootcamp for training scholars and researchers about the intricacies of grantsmanship and research publishing, may have come and gone; still, the recorded experience was one that would live with participants for a long time. ASMN 3.0 was ladened with five impactful episodes and four exercises to test understanding of the various themes harped on during the event.
Declaring the event open, the Founding Chair of DIaDeRC and Host of ASMN, Professor Evans Osabuohien, said the bootcamp was all about helping participants navigate to the research and publishing terrain with the aim of making professional progress and sharing ideas on best practices. Professor Osabuohien asked participants to identify their main area of research interest and set a goal for what they intend achieving during the course of the 5-weeks training.
In his lead presentation titled ‘Introduction and Setting the Stage for Grant Proposal Writing’ Professor Osabuohien said mentorship is a crucial asset at various stages of one’s professional calling, and it is important to understand the purpose of subscribing to it if it must pay off. According to him, mentorship could be it for leveraging on the successes of others, gaining speed in one’s endeavours, avoiding errors of others by gleaning from their experiences or fostering resourceful networks.
He said it is the expectation of organisers of ASMN 3.0 to help all participant develop the requisite skill in grant and proposal writing, networking and partnerships, project contributions, research exposure, career advancement, personal growth, collaborative experiences, and publication opportunities. Furthermore, to help participant evolve academic collaborations and networking for good publications and increased visibility, at the same time gain mentorship from those ahead and access other training resources from the platform of DIaDeRC to help stand out in the research and publishing world.
Professor Osabuohien said it is also expected that ASMN 3.0 participants will become better at seeking and getting research collaborations, publishing high-quality papers, and winning research grants in their various fields of interest., while also improving their competence and confidence in interdisciplinary research collaborations, publishing in peer-reviewed journals, and write successful grant applications.
The Professor of Economics and former Head of Department at Covenant University, told the audience that Grant writing is not an appeal but a mutual beneficial process for both the grantee and grantor. He noted that grant writing and winning have both the science and art processes to it, as such could not be seen as a one-way street. He said the process of grantsmanship is not a Sprint but a marathon, that means it is a long grueling process that one must endure and develop the virtue of perseverance if the reward must come. Professor Osabuohien challenged participants to always ensure that the topic should be something topical and on the front burner of national or global discourse if it must gain the traction and acceptance of grants awarding institutions. While advising the gathering to embrace collaboration and communication in grant writing, Professor Osabuohien said they were vital requirement for a successful execution of the overall objective of research collaboration endeavours. “Avoid last ‘minute.com’ and follow the guidelines religiously, and remember, it is better not to win a grant than to win and not deliver,” he added.
Another facilitator, Dr Judith Ani told participants that there was no end to learning and it was important that as grant writers and researchers they develop the requisite determination to push to the point of result. According to her, rejection will come along the way, but it is not an end in grant writing, because after the rain comes sunshine. “Knowledge may fail you, but your passion will keep you going,” she added. Dr Ani said grant writing should not be engaged as a beggarly endeavour because it is an academic and research exercise tailored towards inspiring change and development. She tasked ASMN participants to do well in mastering the art and science involved in applying for grants, because if one doesn’t master the art and science of methodology, one is not ready for research yet. She, however, cautioned participants to be wary not to fall into the pit of endless criticism all in a bid to get a favourable result. In her words, “You are allowed to critique as an academic, but do not be caught criticizing.”
Dr Romanus Osabohien taking the session on publishing in reputable outlets, said the glory of every research endeavor is limitless, as it continually opens doors of opportunities even after the end of the research exercise. Dr Osabohien said it is important to adhere to the ethical codes that governs research publication if one wants to be taken serious. “If you want to make the most of publishing, you must know that if you break the ethical rules it can lead to your fall,” he warned. He said once a publication is not done ethically it could result in a fall or stagnation in career. Dr Osabohien said it is important to answer the why, where, when and how questions if publishing must become a successful venture. According to him, every economic system must answer the basic economic questions of What, When, Where and How to publish. He charged participants to stay aware from publishing in predatory journals, but seek publishing in high impact journals.
Speaking on creating partnerships and cooperation in academic career, Berit Stoppa from The German Academic Exchange Services (DAAD) highlighted 10 important nuggets to work with in evolving a robust partnership in academic pursuit. She said partnership is a function of establishing networks, creating collaboration, pursue professional development, communicate with relevant bodies, go with a mentality to contribute to development and funding. In addition, she said partnership could evolved from seeking career mentorship, work at advancing cultural competence, be technologically incline to new ways of doing things and at the same time show commitment toward creating sustainability.
At the concluding session, Dr Taiwo Afolabi of the University of Regina, Canada, speaking on the values of networking, said networking must be purposeful with a mindset for professional advancement. He noted that networking must be done with care ethics, hardwork, growth inspired, impactful and godliness. Dr Afolabi opined that in embarking on a networking engagement, there was a need for goal setting, as networking and career progression should be about building relationships, not just grabbing what is accessible and leaving. “When we engage in networking we are contributing to something bigger and larger than us,” he posited.
Dr Afolabi concluded by asking participants to think of global impact as this was crucial in giving them a place at the global stage.
Certificates were awarded to participants who fulfilled the set terms of the bootcamp and were availed of premium membership of the African Scholars Mentorship Network (ASMN). In total, 249 participants registered for ASMN 3.0 that ran in May and June 2024 from different African countries namely: Cameroon Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Participants also attended from countries beyond the African continent, including Canada, the Czech Republic, Germany, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Pakistan.
Some of the participants have been onboarded and profiled as Batch 1 ASMN Premium Members.
ASMN 3.0 was a huge success in many respects, as the numerous humbling testimonials were received at the close of the series. A few of them are highlighted as sliders, and a short video on the DIaDeRC YouTube Channel is embedded herewith.
