<\/p>\n
Thirty African researchers graduated from the Afrobarometer\/University of Pretoria summer school Friday with a word of encouragement to use their new skills to contribute to Africa\u2019s development.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cData is like learning a language \u2013 use it or lose it,\u201d Afrobarometer CEO Joseph Asunka told the group.<\/p>\n
Afrobarometer conducted the free, three-week training program in collaboration with the University of Pretoria\u2019s Faculty of Humanities and Future Africa, a pan-African research institute pioneering approaches to research and innovation on the continent and beyond.<\/p>\n
Intended to equip African scholars with solid skills in data collection and analysis, the curriculum focused on research design, survey methodology, analysis and use of social statistics in one of three areas \u2013 democracy and public opinion, elections and electoral systems, and corruption and taxpayer compliance. This English-language session was preceded by a French-language summer school at Universit\u00e9 Cheikh Anta Diop in Dakar, Senegal, in August.<\/p>\n
Initially designed for Afrobarometer staff and network partners, the summer schools now welcome other participants as part of a broader effort to strengthen research capacity on the continent.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe believe that this will enable African researchers, policy actors, and civil society advocates to play more effective roles in African policy and development decision making,\u201d Asunka said.<\/p>\n
Prof Innocent Pikirayi, Deputy-Dean in the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Pretoria said: \u201cAs a Faculty we are delighted to be able co-host this event. We are particularly proud of the work all the participants produced. We look forward to growing this partnership in the years to come.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 30 participants \u2013 60% women and 56% youth under the age of 35 \u2013 represented 15 African countries \u2013 Algeria, Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tunisia, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe summer school has been an amazing experience,\u201d said Simangele Moyo-Nyede, principal researcher for Mass Public Opinion Institute (MPOI) of Zimbabwe. \u201cThe knowledge I have acquired is enormous and so incredibly relevant to the work that I do.<\/p>\n
The tutorials came in handy in helping us apply the statistical methods learnt. I gained new insights and fresh perspectives on democracy in the elective course.\u201d<\/p>\n
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afrobarometer.<\/i><\/p>\n
For more information, please contact:<\/strong> Social media:<\/strong> About Afrobarometer:<\/strong> About the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Pretoria:<\/strong> \n About Future Africa at the University of Pretoria:<\/strong>
\nAsafika Mpako
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\nAfrobarometer (AB) is a trusted source of high-quality data and analysis on what Africans are thinking. With an unmatched track record of 350,000+ interviews in 39 countries, representing the views of 80% of the African population, AB is leading the charge to bridge the continent\u2019s data gap. AB data inform many global indices, such as the Ibrahim Index of African Governance, Transparency International\u2019s Global Corruption Barometer, and the World Bank\u2019s Worldwide Governance Indicators. The data are also used for country risk analyses and by credit rating and forecasting agencies such as the Economist Intelligence Unit. All AB data sets are publicly available on the website\u00a0(https:\/\/www.Afrobarometer.org<\/a>) and may be analysed free of charge using AB\u2019s online data analysis tool\u00a0(https:\/\/bit.ly\/3D6RMP6<\/a>).<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\nFounded in 1919, the Faculty of Humanities is one of the oldest in South Africa.\u00a0 As the intellectual home of the liberal arts, the Faculty\u2019s range of courses form the foundation of a quality education at the University of Pretoria.\u00a0 Our academic curricula, research activities and community engagement initiatives not only address the diverse needs of local communities, but also help shape and drive international endeavours and debates.<\/p>\n
\nThe University of Pretoria established the Future Africa initiative as a platform to develop leadership in transdisciplinary research in Africa. Future Africa is a hub for African and global research networks to address the challenges that hamper transformation toward a prosperous, equitable, and sustainable future in Africa.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n