On 11 and 12 October, PSAf was among different international organisations that were represented at the Research and Innovation Management for Africa and the Caribbean (RIMI4AC) regional workshop held in Gaborone, Botswana.

At the two day workshop, which was funded by the European Union, PSAf Regional Manager for Media Development and ICTs Mr. Gillies Kasongo facilitated three sessions focusing on PSAf’s work in amplifying the voices of the poor and marginalised, experiences if researchers and journalists on Tuberculosis in Zambia, and lessons on research communication based on PSAf’s experiences under the Relay programme.

Following the presentations, a number of universities1 showed interest in partnering with PSAf to strengthen journalism training with a component of science communication and development support communication. A number of the participants also wanted to know how scientists and journalists could work together to package good stories on development research.

Discussions at the workshop also brought about issues of morality and professionalism among journalists. This emerged from the misconception among some of the scientists that journalists need to be paid to cover any event.

The workshop participants also wanted to know how PSAf could help identify and groom more science journalists, as it was clear there are very few media practitioners who consistently report on science at the moment.

A number of academic institutions represented at the workshop immediately indicated they would need to partner with PSAf in enhancing science communication using the Relay model. This is expected to lead to the signing of MoUs with some of the institutions. PSAf currently has an MoU with the University of Swaziland. The University of Zambia (UNZA), through Prof Nyambe, Dean in the Department of Post Graduate Studies also requested support from PSAf in the area of helping its post-graduate students be able to pitch their dissertations with a component of the relay innovations in terms of research outputs utility value to communities. A meeting is also being planned between the University of Namibia research unit, the university's management and PSAf to appreciate the need to popularise their research outputs through the media.

The interest from academic institutions also spread beyond Southern Africa. One university in Cameron said they would contact PSAf on possibilities for collaboration in the area science and research communication. if this works out, the activities will be implemented in collaboration with our sister organisations.

The Association of Commonwealth Universities through the deputy secretary general also undertook to contact PSAf on possible cooperation on capacity building for research institutes to engage with media and other communication and development actors.