00:00:00 IGIHE NETWORK KINYARWANDA ENGLISH FRANCAIS

University of Kigali hosts 7th edition of the ARG International Conference

By Jane Babirye
On 29 August 2023 at 09:11

The University of Kigali (UoK), in collaboration with Nottingham University and other research organizations, is hosting the 7th Africa Research Group (ARG) International Conference taking place from August 27th to 30th at Lemigo Hotel.

ARG is an international and interdisciplinary community of scholars with an interest in understanding the management, organizational, socio-economic, investment, innovation, and entrepreneurial issues related to Africa.

According to David Wangombe, the Vice Chancellor of UoK, the university is an intense knowledge-seeking institution focused on African issues. Being located in Rwanda, positions it as a knowledge custodian from the country’s perspective.

ARG was established in 2010 and has consistently focused on development in Africa, encompassing research in higher institutions and business aspects within universities.

The collaboration with UoK is fitting as it aligns with the five schools of the institute: business management, Information Technology (IT), and postgraduate portfolios.

Wangombe further stressed that the conference is an opportunity for UoK to learn straight from the researchers than reading papers in magazines and journals.

“Listening to the very people who produce the research talking to us about it, is a very useful
thing for any serious academic and it doesn’t compare to reading from books and journals,” he noted.

Run under the theme; ’contemporary developments in the management of organizations in Africa:
tapping into indigenous knowledge and developing viable partnerships’, the three-day conference is bringing together diverse communities from around the world, providing a platform to share the latest research developments in various fields.

Professor Ken Kamoche, the research group’s director, stated that ARG aims to make research impactful. "We aim for impactful research, not just conducting studies and leaving them on paper," he commented.

"Our goal is to conduct research at all levels – industry and policy levels – promoting industrial-academic progress. We seek to understand industry challenges, engage with governments and business managers," added Kamoche.

With over 30 years of experience researching Africa alongside various scholars, Kamoche recognized the opportunities for research in Africa despite its challenges.

He mentioned the struggles organizations face in attracting and retaining the best personnel, performance management, work ethics, and employee motivation. Kamoche emphasized that research requires collaboration due to limited African researcher resources.

Rwanda is now the third African country to host the ARG conference, with previous events held in Kenya (Daystar University) in 2015 and Mauritius (University of Mauritius) in 2017.

Additional conferences took place at the University of Nottingham in Ningbo, China (2019), University of Manchester in 2013, University of Nottingham (2012), and Nottingham Trent University (2010).

ARG aims to achieve key objectives, including high-quality research through collaboration, informing and influencing investors, managers, and policymakers regarding African management and investment climate, and disseminating research through impactful publications and conferences.

It also seeks to enhance awareness of the African Diaspora’s role in economic/industrial rejuvenation and explore links with the Afro-Caribbean and other Diasporas.

The three-day conference brought together diverse communities from around the world, providing a platform to share the latest research developments in various fields.
The conference is an opportunity for researchers to pave the way for a shared future through collective efforts.
Participants are discussing, among other things, challenges affecting research on African continent.
Experiences to be shared at the conference are expected to play a significant contribution to the development of African continent.
The 7th Africa Research Group (ARG) International Conference is taking place from August 27th to 30th at Lemigo Hotel.
Professor Ken Kamoche, said that they seek to make impactful research, not just conducting studies and leaving them on paper.
The conference was also attended by representatives from various universities in Rwanda.

Advertisement

YOUR OPINION ABOUT THIS ARTICLE

RULES AND REGULATIONS
Kwamamaza