Modernising research management and research career development in Lao higher education while promoting sustainable career development for researchers working in areas connected to Green Growth.
Context
Over the past years, the Government of Lao PDR has given the importance to sustainable development to ensure that socio-economic and environmental development are carried out simultaneously, but the scientific and technological research system is still developing and faces many structural limits.
The project was designed to support the modernization of the research management structures, strengthen researchers’ and support staff’s competences, and promote coordinated institutional and policy-level reforms.
Objectives
- Empowering researchers with relevant training, skill sets, innovative resources and supporting services.
- Modernizing research management units and strategies in Lao HEIs.
- Developing a policy framework to foster research career development paths in areas related to Green Growth.
Activities
- Analysis and benchmarking of existing research management practices in public universities.
- Training and study visits to strengthen research skills and research support capacities.
- Supporting universities in improving how research support offices and services operate.
- Developing digital tools and online learning materials to support research and collaboration.
- Creating spaces for collaboration and dialogue among researchers, universities and national authorities.
Resources
- Benchmarking report
- Report “Guidelines and recommendations for the modernization of RMUs at Lao HEIs”
- National Research Hub (NRH) management and users’ manuals
- White paper
Impact
- Strengthened skills of researchers and university staff, with over 200 participants improving their research and research support capacities.
- Increased awareness of the value of research for national development, among universities and policymakers.
- Improved collaboration across public universities, leading to stronger professional networks and early joint initiatives.
- Enhanced institutional capacity to support research, through better-organised services and clearer roles.
- Greater engagement of early-career researchers, supported by improved access to training and guidance.
Partners
- Champasack University (Coordinator, Laos)
- National University of Laos (Laos)
- Souphanouvong University (Laos)
- Savannakhet University (Laos)
- Ministry of Health (Laos)
- Ministry of Education and Sports (Laos)
- University of Alicante (Spain)
- Albert-Ludwigs-Universitaet Freiburg (Germany)
- CESIE ETS (Italy)
