The event was held on Saturday at the recent retreat held at Tendaba Camp in the Lower River Region, brought together members of the Ministry’s Senior Management Team and the Research Technical Working Group from various relevant institutions.
The event accord participants the opportunity to critically review and refine the Draft National Research Bill and aforementioned frameworks so as to foster greater coordination, regulation, and synergy within The Gambia’s national research landscape.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Prof. Pierre Gomez, Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, described the initiative as timely and significance.
He revealed 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, Prof. Gomez added, are essential for the development of a robust and well-regulated research environment in the country.
Highlighting on the innovative prospects for The Gambia, Minister Gomez pointed out 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 said that 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.
He thus applauded the stakeholders for their continued support in the development of these vital documents, which he said, mark a significant step in strengthening research governance, providing regulation, and enhancing research excellence in The Gambia.
