The Minister of Education, Charles Muligande has urged universities and other higher institutions of learning to engage in research in order help government and other policy formulators in implementing evidence-based policies.

Speaking during the conference organised by the Institute of Policy Analysis and Research (IPAR), Muligande said that there is an increasing demand for research and evidence-based policy making in the country however there is still lack of researchers.

"We want to offer opportunities for academic staff and students to participate in research projects that will foster evidence-based implementation of projects aimed at empowering the population.”

He added that quality research would assist the government and other policy makers to know the areas that require more attention and thus implement balanced projects.

Antonia Mutoro, the Executive Director of IPAR, explained that the main objective of Economic Policy Research Network (EPRN) is to address the resource gap for researchers and policy analysts in the area of economic and social policy in the country.

"We plans to engender the capacity of higher learning institutions mainly through technical support to research activities, trainings and participating in panel discussions as well as offering opportunities for academic staff and students to participate in EPRN research projects,” Mutoro said.

During the function, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between IPAR and respective institutions, which aimed at harmonizing their research activities.

"Areas of engagement shall include enabling research active staff with relevant expertise to offer training and facilitate capable students and teachers to develop their skills, as well as create a research active staff in the institutions,” Mutoro said.

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