The Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Research Programme (MLW) recently organised the inaugural Research Administration and Management Training Programme (RAMP) led by Malawians. Held between 27th and 29th February 2024 in Blantyre, the event brought together 20 delegates representing key institutions in Malawi’s research landscape.
In response to the urgent need to enhance the capacity of research support staff, driven by recent surveys indicating that researchers spend approximately 42% of their time on administrative tasks, the LIGHT Consortium and MLW collaborated with experts from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM). Together, they developed a comprehensive training curriculum.
“This training programme is based on the principle that conducting excellent and impactful research depends on strengthening the capacity of research support staff,” remarked Senior Project Manager of the LIGHT Programme, Luke Banda, who was also one of the organisers and facilitators.
Throughout the three-day workshop, participants engaged in a variety of topics essential for effective research grants administration and management. Facilitators from MLW, including Patience Korea, Evance Mtikama, and Luke Banda, employed participatory methods and practical group activities to involve attendees. International observer Martina Savio from LSTM provided invaluable support and conducted peer reviews to ensure quality control and future improvements.
An accountant for the Ministry of Gender, Allan Jere, found the event highly beneficial. He noted: “The event was very useful because it allowed people from different institutions to interact and learn from each other about administration in research settings. As staff from different organisations, this training was a learning point and a networking platform.”
The training sessions were structured to cover various aspects. On the first day, discussions focused on administrative topics, inspiring participants to reconsider workplace coordination and stakeholder engagement. On the second day, they delved into research project management, emphasising collaboration and cultural awareness as essential guiding principles. On the final day, they explored the basic principles of financial grant management, including budgeting and reporting.
Dr. Tisungane Mwenyenkulu, a participant from the National TB and Leprosy Elimination Programme, highlighted management skills as one of his key takeaways during the training.
Overall, participants expressed satisfaction with the interactive and practical nature of the training, noting that it provided valuable insights and tools to streamline research administration processes.
MLW sees the Research Administration and Management Training Programme as a crucial step towards raising standards of research administration excellence and fostering a culture of continuous learning within the institution.
