Cooperation is key if Africa is to reach her potential. On 19 October, at the OR Tambo Premier Hotel in Johannesburg, the Research Output, Outcomes and Impact Community of Practice (Cop-ROOI) was launched by the North-West University (NWU) in conjunction with the Southern African Research and Innovation Management Association (SARIMA) to help achieve this goal.

Cop-ROOI represents a group of research and innovation administrators, managers, management professionals and more who propose to develop social capital, nurture new knowledge, stimulate innovation and share knowledge on the management of research output and impact.

“This is a very important initiative not only for South Africa, but for Africa as a whole. The direction that the world is taking is to look at the impact that research has. So, gone are the days when research is done for the sake of doing research, with the papers published piling up in the libraries and archives. As an institution, we want to show that we are responsible and that we are leaders in ensuring that researchers, research managers and research administrators all understand the need to work on solutions that will help to make an impact on our world. It marks a milestone for both the NWU and SARIMA,” said Prof Nnenesi Kgabi, director for Research Support at the NWU and Cop-ROOI leader.

This forms part of the NWU’s commitment to helping achieve the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which includes SDG 17. This SDG calls for the strengthening of partnerships to reach these sustainable development goals

Prof Emelia Alfonso Nhalevilo, president-elect of SARIMA, elaborated on the importance of harnessing the intellectual resources and creativity that are vital for sustainable growth.

“We need to share best practices and learn from one another,” she said, adding that it is one of the ways to drive the continent to a sustainable future.

Prof Eme Owoaje, general secretary of the West African Research and Innovation Management Association (WARIMA), explained that it is essential to carry research beyond what is important for researchers: “We have to be relevant, we cannot sit in silos. We need to address relevant issues such as housing and climate change. We have 54 countries in Africa that need to speak to each other. We have similar problems, like how do we improve education and agriculture? We are ready to collaborate.”

It is with initiatives such as Cop-ROOI that the NWU continues to play a leading role in bringing together expertise committed to making impactful change that lasts.

Prof Nnenesi Kgabi, director for Research Support at the NWU and Cop-ROOI leader.