Carleton University hosts Mastercard Foundation Research Team
Carleton University recently hosted key members of the Mastercard Foundation Research, Learning, Knowledge and Impact Evaluation team at the office of the Vice President, Academic, Professor Pauline Rankin. The meeting afforded the opportunity for the two organizations to review the progress of the Mastercard Foundation partnership with Carleton University’s Institute of African Studies on a continent-wide project on Indigenous knowledge and youth perspectives on entrepreneurship in Africa which begun in 2021.
Led by Samuel Ojo Oloruntoba, an Assistant Professor at the Institute of African Studies, with a network of scholars spread across Africa. The project seeks to unlock sustainable solutions for employment and entrepreneurship and empowering African youth through Indigenous knowledge.
The project has led to the formation of the Africa Indigenous Knowledge Network (AIKRIN) which currently works with the following universities, Moi University, Kenya, Kyambogo University, Uganda, The Law School of Tanzania, University of Zululand, South Africa, University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, Delta State University and University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, and Indigenous institutions in Africa.
The Africa Indigenous Knowledge Research Network was created to undertake research geared towards identifying, recentering and harnessing Indigenous knowledges in Africa. It is aimed at foregrounding the authenticity of African Indigenous knowledges through co-creation, collaboration, partnership with custodians of knowledge such as community elders, traditional leaders, rain makers, and other gatekeepers of knowledge and the youth
During the visit, Dr. Rankin welcomed the team to Carleton University and expressed appreciation for the support that the Mastercard Foundation has provided for the project. The Principal Investigator, Dr. Samuel Ojo Oloruntoba provided an update of what the project has achieved over the past three years, as well as plans for the future. The achievements include the formation of the Africa Indigenous Research Network, creation of a website, establishment of Research Working Groups in each of the participating universities, networking with Indigenous communities, attendance at various conferences and editing of a forthcoming book on Indigenous knowledge and entrepreneurship in Africa,
Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Youth Entrepreneurship: Recentering the Voices of Marginalized Communities in Africa The team expressed their appreciation to Carleton University for providing the necessary support for the project. They also suggested how the project can be better designed to contribute to providing evidence required to foster learning and create dignified jobs for the youth of Africa.
The visiting team also toured the Institute of African Studies. Professor Nduka Otiono, the Director of the Institute, welcomed them to the office and showcased the various resources available to support students and visitors interested in knowing more about Africa. During the visit to the Institute, the team was received by Ms Susaritha Chandrabose, the Institute Administrator and Mr. Gabriel Habiyaremye, the Administrative Assistant. Ms. Sika Kudjawu, a PhD student at the Institute and a Research Assistant on the project also joined in welcoming the team.
Besides Dr Rankin, the Provost and Vice President, Academic, the Carleton team that hosted the Mastercard Foundation team included Dr Betina Appel Kuzmarov, Associate Vice President, International, Dr. Nduka Otiono, Diane Chea, Director, Philanthropy; Dr. Susan Phillips, Interim Chief Advancement Officer; Dr. Paul Mkandawire, a professor in the School of Interdisciplinary Studies, Principal Investigator, Dr. Samuel Ojo Oloruntoba, and Miss Laura Babika, Project Administrator.
The Visiting team from the Mastercard Foundation included Adeline Sibanda, Senior Director, Programs Impact Support & Advisory; Eunice Muthengi, Acting Senior Director, Research and Learning; Dr. Ayo Ojebode, Director of Knowledge Systems, Products and Learning; Danbi Choi, Lead, Impact, Canada Programs, and Robyn Reid, also of Impact, Canada Programs.