The School of Graduate Studies, Research & Extension Student’s Research Club

Concept Note

Background

Research is critical in providing data and informed conclusions that lead to better decision making at the global, regional and local levels. As the oldest secular private University in the region, USIU-Africa is home to top researchers who tirelessly seek solutions to problems affecting the African continent. Our researchers work with communities to identify the problems they face, analyze those problems and discuss possible solutions to the problems with the affected communities. This approach ensures that research undertaken at USIU-Africa is for the benefit of the community, done with the community and is implemented by the community. We believe in providing articulate solutions to the community’s problems by placing the communities at the center of every research project. The students (graduate, undergraduate, PhD) are therefore guaranteed of working with accomplished scholars who continuously challenge them to develop solutions to the problems facing the communities within which they belong.

The School of Graduate Studies, Research and Extension (SGSR&E) is looking forward to enhance and entrench the research agenda by providing excellent support services. This will be done through expanding and strengthening long-term research partnerships as well as capacity building such as conducting research trainings which will be taking place every semester. The training will involve SPSS training and grant writing training. This will encourage students to be part of the multi-disciplinary approach that our research teams undertake and enable them to understand research and become more ethical researchers in their respective fields.

The School of Graduate Studies, Research and Extension (SGSR&E) noticed that there are a lot of inquiries by the students about the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) training and grant writing training. The desire for the trainings has been fueled by winners of internal grants who wish to work with a few students who have at least basic knowledge on Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and data collection. The students who have shown interest but do not have any basic research skill are left out.

The School also noticed that there are also students who are interested in research and want to be involved in the training. The School of Graduate Studies, Research and Extension (SGSR&E) has identified this as a gap and would wish to train the students through a “Students’ Research Club.” The research club will be student’s driven club formed by the students and will help in bringing together both the graduate and undergraduate students interested in research.

Objectives

The main objective of the graduate school is to involve students in the research and therefore the specific of objectives of the Student’s Research Club are:

1. To bring together graduate and undergraduate students interested in research.

2. To create an environment that students can freely share their research ideas.

3. To create awareness on the importance of research among students.

The club is not just for those already involved in research but also for students open to becoming who wish to make a first step towards research.

Membership

Members will learn how to bridge any gaps— perceived or real—between students and USIU-Africa’s renowned research professors, who wish to serve as mentors to undergraduates/graduates. This will be a student led initiative and they will champion the process while the School of Graduate Studies Research and Extension and the Student Affairs Department will oversee administration

Membership eligibility?

1. Students interested in expanding their research skills

2. Active volunteer students who have been involved in the School of Graduate Studies, Research and Extension activities/roles such as Research Assistants, assist in organizing activities etcetera

Activities

The School of Graduate Studies, Research and Extension (SGSR&E) has therefore come up with a program called the Foundation of Research in which beginners in research will be trained basic Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) skills and grant writing skills every semester after which a 3 day training workshop will be organized to train them on advanced analysis and Grant writing skills. By the end of the training activity the students will be expected to; have gained interest in research, capable of developing a research proposal and have confidence to apply for grants and finally be qualified research assistants.