Capacity Building Workshop on the Research Excellence Framework for Higher Education in East Africa
The Research Excellence Framework for Higher Education in East Africa (REFHE-EA) was developed by the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) as a regional guide to strengthen research quality, governance, productivity, and impact across higher education institutions (HEIs). The framework responds to persistent challenges in the region, including weak research governance and management systems, limited research capacity and infrastructure, low research productivity and impact, and inadequate collaboration and funding mechanisms.
REFHE-EA provides a structured approach anchored on principles of research quality, research governance and management systems, research quality dimensions, and assessment and implementation mechanisms. While awareness of the framework is essential, effective implementation requires practical skills, institutional readiness, and technical capacity. Institutions need support to translate the framework into actionable strategies, systems, and tools.
This capacity building workshop builds on the sensitisation phase and focuses on equipping selected participants with the competencies required to operationalise REFHE-EA within their institutions. By equipping stakeholders with the necessary knowledge, tools, and skills, the workshop will contribute to enhanced research quality, increased productivity, and stronger socio-economic impact across the region. The overall goal is to build institutional and individual capacity for the effective implementation of REFHE-EA across the region.