I. R and D Agenda

1. Rationalizing LSU R and D investment

Funding levels for research are declining from both internal and external sources. Funding also is becoming more short termed and more focused (and the focus tends to change rapidly). In allocating funds for research, national and regional research responsibilities of VSU and potential contribution of the project to science and development will be considered.

Strategies:

• Review and update the policies and procedures on research prioritization and guidelines for research proposal evaluation
• Encourage scientists to identify alternative sources for grants and similar programs
• Provide bridging funds to support researchers between funding cycles

2. Increasing science and strategic value of research activities

Strategies:

• Strengthen research on biotechnology and information communication technology especially on those which can enhance production management and increase efficiency of natural and agricultural resource.
• Support should also be given to development of technologies that improve waste management, productivity of problem ecosystems, environmental rehabilitation and water conservation.
• Provide support for conservation and development of genetic resources for sustainable use in agriculture and forestry
• Provide support on research on assessing the socio-economic impacts of technological change on the rural economy.

3. Upgrading Human Resource Capabilities

Strategies:

• Provide seed money for early career researchers and faculty members who have just finished their postgraduate degree.
• Create mentoring programs for experienced researchers to assist less experienced academic staff
• Provide support for faculty to attend degree and non degree training, professional meetings and study tours
• Provide active seminar program
• Maintain faculty exchange programs with research institutes, research universities and governmental agencies.
• Provide research staff with relevant training workshops

4. Maintenance and upgrading research and extension facilities and resources

Strategies:

• Increase library budget to support the research and creative activity needs of the faculty, staff and students
• Revive the unit responsible for repairs and maintenance of laboratory and office equipment
• Encourage research grant applications with equipment requests
• Negotiate research contracts that enhance the research infrastructure of the University
• Revisit land use plan of the University for possible reallocation of land area for field research activities.

5. Improving project development capability and system of monitoring and evaluation

• Provide incentives and opportunities for all academic staff to participate in research and development undertakings
• Recruit high caliber academic staff who are research active and have the potential to contribute in the areas of Faculty’s research strengths
• Target key researchers with established track records for development of collaborative research projects
• Reformat R and D monitoring procedures from activity –based to output-based

6. Increasing productivity in R and D

• Ensure appropriate succession planning is in place
• Develop policies and practices to recognize the contribution of faculty to the research mission of the University
• Encourage academic units to optimize teaching loads to provide staff with time for research.
• Implement technology-focused research and development projects relevant to the current demand for commerce and trade.
• Generate income-generating research and development plan
• Forge and strengthen linkages with national and foreign R and D collaborating agencies/institutions

7. Strengthening research output dissemination

• Encourage publication in journals of high international standing
• Reinvigorate the Annals of Tropical Research
• Utilize electronic medium of communication through the university’s web site
• Establish industry focused for around common themes to promote discussion and documentation of research output of VSU
• Package and disseminate VSU technologies in CD format (through RACO)

8. Exploiting benefits of Information Communication Technology

• Maximize the use of GIS facility
• Upgrade data banking facility
• Revive statistical analyses and data processing center
• Pursue operationalization of regional information network (RIN)

9. Forging innovative partnership with private sector

• Provide incentives for staff to participate in commercial research and development
• Ensure appropriate levels of confidentiality and conflicts of interest are identified and managed
• Establish and strengthen working relation with the private industrial sectors to develop more thriving relevant business and appropriate job opportunities

10. Protecting and commercializing knowledge products

• Implement IPR and technology commercialization guidelines to protect VSU’s intellectual property rights from technological exploitation.

• Develop policies and procedures to streamline, clarify and support technology activities by RDE staff and students.

• Create Technology Transfer Council to facilitate technology transfer in the university and to help investors transfer their technology in an effective, efficient and ethical manner.