GBENRO ADESINA.
On Wednesday 12 August 2015, the Partnership for African Social and Governance Research (PASGR) formally launched the Collaborative Master of Research and Public Policy (MRPP) programme at a colourful ceremony at the Serena Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya.
The MRPP is a new graduate programme in Africa with a dual focus on social science research and public policy (as distinct from public administration or public management). The programme is a unique African graduate programme domiciled in 12 African universities. The twelve founder universities are: , Universities of Ibadan, Lagos, Jos, Dar es Salaam, Ghana, Egerton, Maseno, Mzumbe, Uganda Christian University, Uganda Martyrs University, University of Sierra Leone and University of Botswana.
According to the magazine’s source, among the dignitaries that graced the occasion are: Hon. Dr. Willy Mutunga, Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court of Kenya; Hon. Julius Kibiwott Melly, Deputy Chair, Parliamentary Committee on Education, Kenya; Mr. Henry Rotich, Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury, Kenya; Prof. Judith Bahemuka, UNESCO/UNITWIN Chair, University of Nairobi, Kenya; Prof. Gregor Walter-Drop, Hertie School of Governance; Prof. Jodi Sandfort, University of Minnesota, USA and Prof. Jerry O. Kuye, University of Pretoria, South Africa.
Others include: Dr. Olajide Akanji; Dr. Emmanuel Aiyede; Dr. Olubukola Adesina, from University of Ibadan; Prof. Solomon Akinboye; Prof. Felicia Oyekanmi; Dr. Derin Ologbenla; Dr. Rasheed Akinyemi, from University of Lagos; Prof. Pam Dung Sha; Dr. Bonaventure Haruna; Prof. Ezekiel Best, from University of Jos; Dr. John Kanyamurwa from Uganda Christian University; Dr. Seidu Alidu, from University of Ghana; Dr. Tiberius Barasa; Dr, Susan Kilonzo from Maseno University, Kenya.
Delivering his welcome address, the Executive Director of PASGR, Prof. Tade Akin Aina, noted that the programme aims to prepare the next generation of public policy leaders and researchers in Africa.
Formally inaugurating the programme, Mr. Rotich lauded the programme which had already started in some of the universities, extolling the collaboration facilitated among the various universities in Africa.
In the same vein, Justice Mutunga eulogise the programme for encouraging students from various disciplines to converge together in class to interact. He suggested an emphasis of the African interest, which would inform her relations with the rest of the world, as well as an emphasis on the promotion of African values, including transparency, accountability, justice and fairness.
Justice Mutunga notified the newsmen in the occasion that he would not grant any special interview after the event but would like to inform them that henceforth, judges in the state should no longer be addressed as “my lord” because they are not God or gods. He urged other African judges especially Nigeria judiciary to take a cue from them.
The formal launch programme started with a series of activities involving teaching staff, students, and Steering Committee members together with PASGR staff facilitated by resource persons. The first activity was an E-Case training programme from August 6th to August 8th to review e-case writing competencies among MRPP teaching staff and address gaps, to deepen case study teaching competencies, and to simulate delivery of MRPP courses using the case method. It was followed by a two-day professional development (August 12th to August 14th), which focused on both skills and content of the courses.
The launch programme would peak with a Steering Committee meeting on August 15 to review the Programme delivery for Cohort 1, Year 1, focusing on achievements and challenges; presentation and adoption of the Field Experience Manual; programme monitoring and evaluation process; and DAAD scholarships. The Committee also discusse d programme delivery preparations for Cohort 1 Year 2 and Cohort 2 Year 1.
The MRPP is delivered using a common architecture and curriculum developed collaboratively by teaching staff, and the degree granted by each participating university, using common assessment standards and thesis requirements. The MRPP programme architecture encompasses a full-time two-year programme organized around four semesters, a field experience and thesis preparation.
PASGR is an independent, non-partisan pan-African not-for-profit organisation established in 2011 and located in Nairobi, Kenya.