The Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Professor Pierre Gomez, has presided over the opening ceremony of a two-day Sector Review Retreat focused on the Draft National Research Bill, the Research Regulatory Framework, and the Research Excellence Assessment Framework (REAF).
The retreat, held at Tendaba Camp in the Lower River Region on Saturday 12 April this year, brought together members of the Ministry’s Senior Management Team and the Research Technical Working Group from various institutions to critically review and refine the Draft National Research Bill and its frameworks to foster greater coordination, regulation, and synergy within The Gambia’s national research landscape.
In his opening remarks, Minister Gomez highlighted the timeliness and significance of the National Research Act, particularly noting that 60 years since The Gambia gained independence, “this is the first time the country is having an existing unified National Research Bill and a comprehensive National Research Regulatory and Ethical Frameworks”.
These two documents are essential for the development of a robust and well-regulated research environment in the country, he noted.
Highlighting the innovative prospects for The Gambia, Minister Gomez asserted that the instruments have the potential to place The Gambia among the leading nations in West Africa with established research governance structures. “The research instruments will provide governance oversight, regulation, and guidelines in the conduct of all types of research including medical, social, and scientific researches, while enhancing and complementing existing institutional research frameworks in The Gambia,” he stated.
“The Draft National Research Bill, for instance, will promote a coordinated approach to research governance and ensures that all institutional research practices align with national standards, thereby creating a harmonized and efficient research ecosystem across the country.”
Concluding his remarks, Minister Gomez thanked the stakeholders for their continued support in the development of these vital documents, which mark a significant step forward in strengthening research governance, providing regulation, and enhancing research excellence in The Gambia.
